It hurts how long can you leave a dog alone at home all day, but sometimes things happen that we just can’t avoid. Dogs need to be trained. The general consensus is not to leave dogs unattended for more than four hours if you’re going out. The duration depends on your dog’s age, health, behavior, and temperament.
Learn more about the factors affecting how long can you leave a dog alone
The PDSA and Modern Dog Magazine both recommend that you should not leave your dog home alone for more than three or four hours at a time. This is because they can start barking, destroying furniture in their excitement to be out of the house as well as using other resources such as food bowls; we don’t want any accidents. PAWS Chicago says that five to six hours is the max for an adult dog. As you can see, there isn’t a specific amount of time experts agree on as it varies depending upon your dog’s needs and their own changing circumstances (e.g., health status).
It’s important to consider your dog’s breed, age, and size when deciding how long they should be left home alone. You’ll want to take into account what routine their learned as well as any health issues or accidents that may occur during this time period too. Breeds like Siberian Huskies and Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise. If they’re left indoors for too long or bored then these animals can become destructive themselves. If they spend more than two hours alone, energetic breeds will go frenzy.
A puppy’s needs are very straightforward when it comes to determining what they need. Basically, puppies require lots of attention and care. Don’t leave your puppy under ten weeks old alone for more than one hour. This is primarily because they don’t know how to hold their bladders. According to The American Kennel Club By the time your puppy is 10-12 weeks old, you can work your way up to two hours. At six months of age, most dogs will be able to hold their bladders for about 6 hours. As your pup ages, they may be able to go longer without needing a bathroom break. Senior dogs often nap for more of the day than younger pups.
Separation anxiety can develop in any dog, regardless of breed or age. Dr. Pagan noted owners could trigger separation distress for the first time or exacerbate existing generalized anxiety from pets when they leave their pets for prolonged periods of time. More and more dogs are experiencing separation anxiety as a result of the pandemic. If your pooch suffers from this, you should start by increasing their alone time gradually to help ease them through it faster. Separation anxiety is a difficult problem to deal with. If you’re not around, your dog might resort to destructive chewing or barking; they could even harm themselves.
The American Kennel Club and any good dog trainer will tell you that teaching your pup to be alone is an important skill. Not only will it build up your dog’s confidence and improve their mental well-being, but leaving the house for a movie or dinner just got easier. Dogs need to be trained, so start small and work your way up.
If you know someone who might like this, please click “Share”!
