You love your puppy. Spending time with him is so much fun. But you have to work outside the house. After all, you want to give him the best life possible, and the cost of food, treats, vet bills, training, and grooming can add up. So you wonder: How long can your puppy be left alone?
It depends on his age, socialization, training and exercise needs
The number of hours the puppy can be alone when going to the toilet
Puppies need frequent defecation and can only hold their bladders for so long. So when determining possible time to leave your precious puppy alone, consider their need to go to the bathroom. Puppies can “keep it” for the following length of time:
- Under 10 weeks old, puppies can be held for an hour
- 10 to 12 weeks old, a puppy can hold it for two hours
- 3 months old, a puppy can hold it for three hours
- 4 months old, puppies can be held for 4 hours
- 5 months old, a puppy can hold it for five hours
- 6 months old, a puppy can hold it for six hours
- Over 6 months old, puppies can suck for six to eight hours
This chart is a guide. You never want your puppy to be uncomfortable or to have an avoidable accident. My advice: Be cautious and arrange for someone to take your puppy – even as young as 5 months – out to the potty every 4 hours. And before you leave the house, make sure he’s gone out.
How long a puppy can be left alone socialization wise
In addition to the need to go to the bathroom, your puppy still needs time to bond with you. Feed him, play with him, train him and communicate with him; he’ll understand that great things happen when you’re around.
Puppies under 14 weeks of age are in the sensitive period, important period of socialization. They benefit from a lot of proper exposure to what they will face in everyday life. This includes people, animals, noise, smells and sights. Isolation can affect a puppy’s development.
Puppy socialization guide
Puppies should be slowly exposed to different stimuli each day and throughout the day. After your puppy has had enough vaccines, take them for walks, visit friends, and go to dog-friendly stores.
Dogs are social creatures. And being alone for too long can lead to behavior problems as puppies can become distressed.
Ask for help instead of leaving the puppy alone for 8 hours
If you can’t meet the potty schedule above, enlist the help of others, such as a trusted friend or family member, to potty train your puppy as well as play. with, feed and exercise them. Or hire someone you can trust PET Sitter or walking dogs to perform these tasks. Puppies sleep most of the day – up to 20 hours. Of course, no one is taking care of you for you.
How to leave a puppy alone in a safe area
Puppies want to investigate the world. This can be very dangerous if the area is not fenced for puppies.
Train your puppy to stay in a the right size bin. Alternatively, leave your puppy in the exercise crate, complete with a play area, sleeping area with bed and potty. Or you can leave your puppy in a safe room that has been separated from the puppy.
When determining when it is possible to leave puppies alone, consider their age as they need to go to the bathroom on a regular schedule. But also take into account his need for socialization, training, exercise and companionship. After all, dogs are social creatures. And you want to spend as much time as possible watching him become the best version of himself.
