Leaving Your Dog Home Alone

The majority of dog owners wish they could be with their pets all the time, but sadly, this isn’t always feasible. For many of us, having to leave our dog alone some times is unavoidable. At this point, you may be thinking, “How long can you leave a dog home alone?” Can they function throughout a whole work day? Or will I need you to return after lunch to allow them to use the toilet facilities?

You can get all the answers you need here! Read on to learn all you need to know about securely leaving your dog home alone, and to get our best advice for keeping your dog content while you’re away.

How long should a dog be left alone?

While each individual pup may differ, the basic guideline is to never leave an adult dog alone for more than four hours in a row. Dogs are sociable creatures that often want consistent human attention, otherwise they feel bored and lonely.

You should also take into consideration the fact that fully matured dogs can often only retain their urine for between six and eight hours when left alone. Also, you must guarantee that they always have access to fresh, clean drinking water while you are gone.

This site may contain affiliate links to certain products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links

How Much Time Can You Leave A Puppy Unattended?

Under no circumstances should young pups under six months be left alone for more than two hours. To avoid separation anxiety from developing, it’s a good idea to gradually increase the amount of time they spend alone. If you must leave your puppy alone, it’s best to teach them to stay in a box or place them in a puppy-proofed space. This is due to the fact that confining pups in a cage or other puppy-proofed area will prevent them from chewing anything in sight, and will also shield them from damage.

In general, you shouldn’t keep a puppy in its crate for more than a few hours at a time throughout the day, since it might stress them out.

Do I Need To Buy A Second Dog To Keep My First One Company?

The majority of dogs will enjoy human connection even if they live with another dog. Getting another dog should never be considered a substitute for human friendship. While dogs are often sociable creatures, some people like to be alone.

Some dogs don’t enjoy the company of other dogs, so buying a second dog to keep your present dog company might backfire and lead to bullying or conflict.

What Should I Do If I Work All Day With My Dog?

There are times you will need to make plans for your dog to be watched over or checked on while you are away. The whole workday might just be too lengthy to leave your dog home alone for the entirety. If you can leave at noon, this would be preferable. This allows you to take them out to use the restroom in the garden, or for a stroll to break up the day. If this is not feasible, you can consider hiring a dog walker. And if your dog is friendly with other dogs and people, doggy daycare may be a great alternative.

Doggy day care will give your dog the chance to play all day long and there will be someone there to watch them. Prior to choosing a dog walker or dog daycare, make sure you do your homework. Check for those with excellent ratings and great recommendations. Consider your particular pup’s needs for physical and mental stimulation (as well as hugs and fuss!) Think about how often they will need to be examined. Don’t forget to spoil your dog when you return home in the evening since they obviously missed you!

Can I Spend The Weekend Leaving My Dog Alone At Home?

No, you shouldn’t ever leave your dog alone at home for so long. You must make arrangements for someone to watch after your dog. This is especially true if you you can’t take your pet with you while you’re away for the night. If feasible, consider using friends and family as a substitute. If not, consider kennels or hiring a dog sitter (again make sure you do your research before taking your pup to a kennel or hiring dog sitter).

For dogs that like their home comforts, dog sitters are a good choice. They come often and visit your dog in their own house while you’re away.

6 Tips to Leave Your Dog Alone at Home

Start Training ASAP

Start training your dog to be home alone as soon as possible. Get started as early as possible if your dog is a puppy! Convince them that being alone is common. Being alone for a little period of time is not unpleasant. Later on, leaving your dog at home alone won’t cause you any problems if you do it this way.

But if your dog grown up already, and never been apart from you for more than five minutes, teaching him to be alone will be much more challenging. Both pups and adults get the same instruction. The main drawback is that it will take longer and need more consistency.
Take note if you plan to leave your dog home alone any time soon. If this is the case, you should begin teaching your dog’s separation anxiety as soon as possible. Let your pet alone for a little period of time every now and again, and then return. In time, your pet will come to understand that they cannot be with you always.

Also, you may introduce your dog to social interaction at a young age. In this manner, friends may take care of him while you are gone for a few days.

Make Your House Cozy.

• ●  Before leaving your dog alone for a few hours, check a few items. They should have the option to go outdoors first if they need to use the restroom. They won’t remain quiet or peaceful if not.
• ●  Before leaving your dog at home alone, it is important to take a stroll. Working out will wear you and your pet out, which will keeps them calm when you leave. Maybe at that time, they will sleep without you. In any event, your dog won’t mind temporarily slowing down.
• ●  You may also leave a toy left for your pet to play with. They might get occupied with it and find it simpler to be by themselves. If your dog enjoys playing with toys, they’ll see their alone time as an enjoyable pastime. They could even come to look forward to their alone time.
• ●  You may turn on the radio and keep it on a low level if your dog responds to any outside noise. This might soothe them and block out outside sounds.
• ●  Set up a cozy dog bed. It’s crucial for them to be able to unwind or sleep while they’re alone themselves. Also, snuggling with their preferred toy gives them endless assurance.

Manage Their Separation Anxiety

Some dogs have a very intense desire for their owners’ presence. Your dog definitely has separation anxiety if they were not socialized to being alone as puppies. Try the following advice if the activities mentioned above don’t cease your pet’s whimpering.

Tire Him Out

Giving your dog some exercise is the greatest thing you can do before leaving them at home alone. Once you take your dog for a morning walk or workout, it’ll probably go to sleep. As a result, your dog won’t be anxious when you leave the home.

Keep Him Busy

While you’re not home, you should make sure your dog has productive activities to engage in. Employ a food-dispensing toy instead of their usual feeding dish to keep them busy and stimulated. Some dog toys have varying levels of difficulty, allowing you to keep your dog busy and entertained while you’re gone. Provide simple chores and entertaining toys for them to play with, but make sure that none of the objects might be ingested or torn apart since if they become bored they could turn destructive.

Stay away from emotional blackmail.

If your pet begins to scream, whine, growl, or bark again, resist the urge to re-enter the room. Go in and compliment them on their composure using your tone of voice and a light stroking after you have waited till they are silent. Remember to only offer them goodies before you leave and not after you return; doing so will just make them more impatient and ready for you to get home!

Final Words

We hope you like this guide on leaving your dog alone at home. Always keep in mind that leaving your dog alone for an extended period of time is unfair to them. There are now a wide variety of services available, including dog walkers, sitters, daycare, kennels, and even pet hotels, to ensure your pet is adequately cared for when you have to leave them alone for a long time (for example, a whole working day or overnight).

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and don’t forget to click here to visit our pet shop link at the top of this page. For military veteran dog lovers click this link for military and patriotic-related products.

Click below to discover training secrets on improving your dogs behavior!