“The full amount of time you can leave a dog alone can also depend on their age, temperament, and energy levels, as well as making sure their needs have been met before leaving them alone,” vets would advise you.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid leaving your dog home alone for longer than their age in months. For instance, you wouldn’t want to leave a five-month-old dog all by itself at home for longer than five hours.
In fact, dogs under five months old might require more potty breaks and attention, so it’s highly advised not to leave them alone for longer than three to four hours. Moreover, older dogs who are accustomed to their own routines and having their needs met on a daily basis (they’ve eaten, exercised, and gone outside) are generally able to be left alone for six to eight hours.
However some dogs could need frequent bathroom breaks as they advance in age, so you might want to base the time around your dog’s individual needs.
More active dog breeds, like Australian Shepherds and Jack Russell Terriers, could have some issues spending long spans of time alone, especially compared to dogs with moderate to low energy levels, such as Bulldogs or Great Danes.
If you really have to leave your dog alone for longer, don’t fret! You can always ask someone to help you out. It might be a great idea to hire a dog walker to walk a dog and shake up the monotonous schedule of your pet, or even a pet sitter if you need to leave them alone for long hours while you’re working.
How long should you leave a dog in a crate?
What if you’d use a crate? How long can an adult dog or puppy stay in a designated area by itself? As a general rule, the answer is always the same: you don’t want to leave your dog alone for more hours than their age in months.
The number could turn out to be even lower for puppies under five months, because they often need increased care and attention. It mainly depends on the puppy. As a general rule, it is best to use a crate in conjunction with a playpen.
If someone has to leave the puppy alone for over four hours, they should leave them in a playpen with a designated potty area, rather than just leaving them in a crate and risking them to go potty on themselves or develop crate anxiety. Using a playpen is also a wonderful way for adult or senior dogs who need more potty breaks or experience crate anxiety.
How to prepare your dog for the crate
Before you leave your dog alone in a crate for a prolonged period of time, it’s mandatory to practice crate training right before the “big” event. Pet parents should try to implement constant downtime in a crate or pen to efficiently mimic their daily routine.
For example, when they expect to be out of the house during work hours, it’s quite important to help a dog get used to spending time alone before actually leaving. One way to do this is to simply place the crate in an area of your home where people spend the majority of their time so that your dog can see their house members and learn to relax while still in the crate.
You also want to make sure that the crate is big enough for your dog to turn around in and relax for a while. Try to remove the harnesses and collars before you put the dog in a crate to prevent them from getting caught when no one is around.
Should you leave your dog alone overnight?
Leaving the dog alone overnight depends on a series of factors. As a general rule, it’s way easier to leave the dogs alone if they’re part of a multi-dog household since they are in good company. It’s worse when you leave them by themselves overnight.
Dogs are animals that thrive in packs, and therefore, they’re also social creatures who prefer the company of others to be left alone. It’s not ideal to leave them alone on a regular basis. But sometimes, life happens.
We also know that sometimes, pet parents are in a pinch and they need to be away from their pups overnight. In such cases, it’s really best to hire a pet sitter or have a friend drop by right before bed and once more early in the morning for adult dogs. If the dog tends to get into trouble when alone, section off any area of the house to keep them a bit more contained.
How you should prepare your dog to be alone
One way to efficiently prepare your dog for being by itself is to provide them with moments of physical activity every day. You could either take them on a walk or play a game of fetch. Individual exercise needs can differ, depending on the dog’s age, breed, as well as health levels.
For example, herding and sporting dogs might require additional, quite lengthy, and intense activity. But on the other hand, lower-energy breeds and older dogs could do with much less. Every dog needs to stretch its legs a few times a day, so if you will be out for a bit, make sure you give them some exercise time beforehand.
Dogs also require an adequate amount of mental stimulation. Whether it’s simply a training session, a puzzle feeder, chew-safe bone, or even a round of indoor games, enrichment duties will keep your dog as healthy and balanced out as possible, especially during the time he will be alone. If you know your dog can be trusted with toys, you should leave them out while you’re away to efficiently provide a source of activity.
For dogs with only mild separation anxiety, leaving them with a heartbeat toy or your T-shirt or blanket that carries your smell can be a source of comfort while you’re gone. Dog parents can also consider boarding their dog in the home of someone they trust, especially if they plan to be away for longer.
Changes in behavior
If you somehow notice any change in your pet’s behavior due to being alone for too long, it might be a sign to take some action. Some of the most common examples of behavior changes can include increased lethargy, depression, or even disinterest in activities once enjoyed, and destructive tendencies. With these behavior changes, you should ask your vet if it’s worth ruling out any medical issues.
Destructive behavior is also quite a symptom of separation anxiety. Dogs are social and they generally prefer to be with others. Some could even struggle with being alone. When a dog doesn’t know how to self-soothe or cope, they can turn to chewing or clawing stuff around the house, or even bark or howl.
Your dog’s bladder control
How often your dog has to go outside depends on their capacity to control their bladder. Just like humans, the age factor, hydration, and physical build affect how often the dog needs to relieve itself. Young puppies and elderly dogs probably need more frequent breaks outside. Your dog’s physical needs and their habits determine just how long they can stay home alone. It’s worth setting a routine for them.
If you found this article insightful, we also recommend checking: Dog Breeds That Seem Dangerous but They Aren’t
