In general, you can leave a healthy puppy home alone when they are over 10 weeks old. However, this doesn't mean letting puppies roam free around your home. Before your puppy reaches this age, you can start
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
Puppies between 8-10 weeks.
You cannot leave them on their own for extended periods of time, especially since at this age they're likely being introduced to your home for the first time. At this age, your fur baby needs lots of companionship and socialization and will get very distressed when left for periods of time.
Once your dog reaches three months old, they can usually hold it for an hour for each month they've been alive. After six months, dogs can usually hold it for up to six hours. However, even adult dogs shouldn't be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break.
8 to 10 Weeks
Ultimately, you can usually leave a puppy of this age alone for about an hour. You should place him in a safe spot (like in a playpen or kennel) with chewable toys and comfortable bedding – but don't be upset if he soils on it.
While you may eventually want to let your dog sleep in bed with you (or your kids), it really is best if your pup starts out sleeping in a crate — you can always let them in the bed later, once they're fully potty-trained, sleeping soundly, and happily acclimated to their crate.
Young puppies under six months shouldn't really be left alone for more than two hours. And it's a good idea to build up the time they spend alone gradually to prevent separation anxiety from setting in. When you do leave your puppy alone, it's a good idea to crate train them, or leave them in a puppy-proofed room.
In general, you can leave a healthy puppy home alone when they are over 10 weeks old. However, this doesn't mean letting puppies roam free around your home. Before your puppy reaches this age, you can start crate training. This helps ensure that your puppy will be ready to handle being in a crate while you're at work.
Putting your puppy in their playpen is a great idea if you work from home, as it gives them a safe area to relax or play while you get some work done. This is especially important for preventing separation anxiety if you work primarily from home.
Teaching Alone Time
Begin by closing your puppy in the confinement area with a chew toy or other constructive activity, then quietly walk out of the room. Return immediately and reward them with praise and a treat. Repeat the process, slowly increasing how long you're away each time.
Socialising puppies before vaccinations
Puppies usually go to new homes at the minimum age of eight weeks old when they're not fully vaccinated, so can't get fully out and about just yet. Until your puppy is fully protected by vaccination: don't allow them to mix with dogs of unknown vaccination status.
Dogs are a naturally social species and it's normal for them to stay close to their social group which is why they can become anxious when left alone. When a puppy is first separated from their mother and litter mates, their usual response will be to whine, whimper or bark while trying to get back to them.
Your puppy schedule at 10 weeks of age will mainly focus on socialisation, toilet training, sleep training, plenty of play and controlling their chewing. Getting them into a routine and a day-to-day schedule will make everyone's life just that little bit easier, and you'll feel more in control too.
Most puppies start to calm down as they approach their maturity age, which is usually around 12 months, but for larger breeds it can be more likely to occur between 18 months and 2 years.
In my experience, the short answer: YES! Your dog will definitely remember you.
Although they shouldn't be crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate them anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving. Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged—they should be matter-of-fact. Praise your dog briefly, give them a treat for entering the crate and then leave quietly.
Before you start, put two things in place. First, crate train your puppy, and second, arrange for regular toilet breaks at appropriate intervals. Before leaving for work, play with your pup and take them out for a potty break. When they go, give the usual praise and reward.
It's normal to feel guilty about leaving your furry friend alone. But, as long as you're still getting their exercise in (especially before you leave) and don't make a big deal about leaving, then your canine companion should do just fine.
Most dogs, especially puppies, may whine or cry a little when left alone. True separation anxiety is defined as destructive or disruptive behaviour, including tearing up the room, constant barking and whining or housetraining mistakes every time you leave. This often starts immediately after you leave.
Puppies and young dogs need more enrichment than adults. Without it, they may become bored, and even destructive, when left alone. For maximum happiness for you and your pet, offer them enrichment opportunities when you're home, and stuff to do when you're out.
But in all honesty, there's no 'right time' for a puppy to go to sleep, as long as it's the same every night. While this may be the case, do note that your puppy will need, on average, around 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
Puppies generally need to urinate every few hours, even at night. Most puppies will be able to hold their bladder for four to six hours at a time by the time they are 12 weeks old in the puppy home.
Show your puppy where to sleep.
If he seems drowsy, encourage him to nap in his safe place: a crate, a dog bed, or a quiet place in the house where he can nap undisturbed. It may take time for him to get the idea, but eventually he'll recognize that spot as the place for sleep.