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.
Some households have an easier time if there is another person in the home who has a slightly different schedule. It would appear that many dogs can adapt to being alone for 8-9 hours at a time provided they have a means to potty and have adequate room to move.
Ideally, adult dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than 4 hours. There is some wiggle room, provided that your pooch has access to enough food and water, as well as a place to go potty if they need to.
The PDSA says dogs shouldn't be left alone on a regular basis for more than four hours. Modern Dog Magazine says crated dogs shouldn't be left home alone for more than three or four hours. PAWS Chicago, a nonprofit no-kill shelter, says five to six hours is the max for an adult dog.
Generally, dogs tend to spend a good part of their day alone because their owners are away at school or work during “working hours.” So it's not unusual for a dog to be alone for 8 to 12 hours daily. But what about leaving a dog alone overnight? That's not a good idea. A dog needs human contact.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long. DO prepare your dog before you go.
Before the shift, drop off your dog to a very kind friend or family member you trust while you are working then pick them up the following morning. The second option is to keep them at home alone throughout at the night in a safe place.
That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.
A lot of dogs get bored when their owners aren't around, and a good way to combat that is with interactive toys. Interactive toys are a great way to keep your pup entertained, even when they're home alone.
The Basset Hound is a loyal guard dog who is typically very chill and loves to sleep. For this reason, they're a good dog breed that can be left alone.
Pick a room of the house for your dog. If your dog isn't comfortable in a crate or you don't want to use one, but you also don't want your pup having free run of the house while you're out, consider making up a room just for them or penning off a portion of your room with a pet fence.
Each individual pup will vary, but the general rule is to only leave adult dogs alone for four consecutive hours. Dogs are social animals, often craving regular human attention and, without it, they become bored and lonely.
How long depends on the owners' lifestyle and schedule. Someone who works an eight-hour day and has a commute, followed by errands and evening activities, could conceivably leave their dog home alone for 10 to 12 hours in a single day and on a regular basis.
Yes. Like humans, dogs need the mental stimulation that new sights and experiences bring. Repeating the same walking routine tends to get boring after a while, and as a dog walker, you probably feel the same way.
Typically, though, dogs often spend 50% of a day sleeping, an additional 30% just lying around, and a mere 20% being active. Sounds like our kind of day…
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.
Bored dogs will find something to do if kept outside during the day or while you're at work, which is never a good thing. So hang out with your dog and prevent unwanted behavior. An ounce of prevention prevents hours of changing behavior, so never leave your dog outside unattended.
Impawtant Note: While it's common for dogs to sleep in crates at night, we don't recommend that you keep your dog in a crate for more than a couple hours during the day. Before you go back to the office, make sure your dog is fully potty trained so they do not have to stay in a crate at all while you're gone.
Leaving Your Dog for Three Days
Preparing to leave your pup during a three-day trip won't be too different from leaving for a day or two. You'll find it easiest to recruit someone to stop in a couple times a day to check on food, water, offer plenty of love and provide potty breaks.
Although it's still unclear whether dogs are aware of the length of time they're left alone for, research suggests that they're more excited to greet their owner if they're left alone for two hours than 30 minutes. But between two and four hours there's not much difference.
They can't be left alone for a whole day, even five to six hours are a huge deal for them. Being a social animal, dogs always want some company. When you are away for work, try blend-in your lunchtime to keep a check on them and have lunch together.