Leaving your dog home alone? It can be challenging. Dogs see us as members of their pack, but it’s not always possible (sadly) to spend all of our time with our furry pals. It’s best to teach our dogs while they’re still puppies that being home alone is not a big deal, otherwise they can develop separation anxiety. Show
So how to keep your pup happy and safe when you’re not around? How long is too long to leave your dog home alone? And what do you need to keep in mind when doing so? We’ve put together the facts and recommendations from the leading dog experts for you. Keep an eye on your dog at all timesFollow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Track sleep patterns and exercise with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too. Shop now Table of contentsHow long is too long when leaving a dog home alone?How long your dog can safely stay home alone depends a lot on their age, personality, and emotional and physical needs. Try to keep the time that your dog is left home alone to a minimum. Even the most well-adjusted dogs may become distressed¹ if they are left home alone for too long. Here are some general recommendations for how long you can leave your dog home alone, based on age: Age of the dogTime spent aloneReasonPuppies2 hours a day is the limit.They are not used to being home alone. They need to pee more and can develop separation anxiety.Adult dogs (over 18 months)Can be left alone 4 – 6 hours a day.These dogs are used to being home alone. They have learned to sleep when you are not home.Elderly dogCan be left alone 2 – 6 hours.It depends. Does your elderly dog experience health issues? For example, do they need to pee more frequently?Since puppies are not used to being home alone, they are more likely to develop separation anxiety. Additionally, it is recommended to take them out to go to the bathroom every 2 hours. Adult dogs who are using to being home alone can be left longer – as they’ve probably learned to sleep while you are away. For older dogs, the time you can leave them alone safely depends on factors such as their health conditions – older dogs may need to urinate more frequently. What to consider when leaving your dog home aloneConsider the following factors when leaving your dog home alone:
For example, your dog might not suffer from anxiety when being left alone, but what about potty breaks? Will they have enough food for the duration they are left alone? Or perhaps become restless or bored, and use your most valuable items as chew toys? Take everything you know about your dog into consideration when determining how long you can leave your dog home alone. What can happen when your dog is left home alone?For some dogs, being left home alone might be no big deal. For others, it may lead to one or more of the following distressing behaviors, which might indicate that your dog is bored, anxious or stressed out by being home alone.
Furniture and clothes can be replaced, but if your dog gets lost there is much more at stake! A good way to feel safer when leaving dogs home alone is to get your dog(s) a Tractive GPS dog tracker. That way, you will be alerted in real-time if they run off or leave your house or property. And you can keep an eye on what they do during the day – if they’re restless or sleepy. Dogs that can be left aloneSome types of dogs are better suited to being left alone than others. These may include:
Since working dog breeds are prone to restlessness and boredom, they are not dogs that can be left alone easily. 2 things to do before leaving dogs home aloneWhen you leave the house for work or leisure without your dog, you should first do the following: 1) Tire out your dogThe best thing you can do before you leave your dog home alone is make sure your dog gets some exercise beforehand. Start with learning how to walk your dog so that it’s beneficial for both you and your dog. When you take your dog for a morning walk or exercise, it’s likely that your dog will pass out asleep right afterwards! This gives you the chance to leave the house without trouble. Find out: How much exercise do dogs really need? 2) Avoid giving your dog free reinEspecially in the beginning, try to leave your dog in an area where they feel comfortable. Once your buddy gets more used to being left alone at home, they can then be on their own without any restriction. While you’re away, you can keep tabs on your dog in the Tractive GPS mobile or web app – simply attach the Tractive GPS tracker to your dog’s collar and voilà! You can track and monitor them wherever they are. Plus, you can even see how active your furry friend has been, how much they sleep, and where they go exactly. How to train your dog to be home aloneProper training is essential when teaching your dog to be home alone. Therefore, from the moment you get a dog, start practicing the “Leave & Return” scenario. Teach your pup that being home alone is absolutely OK and that you will eventually return. Here’s how:
Marina S. – Dog Trainer Top tricks if your dog is not used to being left aloneTry to make sure your dog has fun ways to occupy their time. If your dog is not used to being home alone, here are some tips that can help make their time more enjoyable:
What to do with your dog after they’ve been home aloneWhen you return home from leaving your dog home alone, dedicate some time to your pup and don’t hold back with the love and attention. How? Here’re just a few suggestions:
And remember: Letting your dog stretch their legs after a day spent indoors is a great way to help them burn off some energy. On the other hand, don’t get them too used to getting treats as you walk in. Your dog should know that “Leave & Return” means that there are moments during the day when they might be left alone. Do dogs get sad when you leave them for vacation?Anxiety Caused by Separation
Yes, dogs can suffer from depression, and yes, it can be debilitating for them. Typically, your dog will go through a grieving period that can last anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks, depending on how long you are away.
Will my dog be okay if I leave for a week?Don't worry about your dog while you're away.
Dogs don't have the same concept of time as humans. Whether you're gone for an hour or a week, your pup will greet you enthusiastically when you return. To them, it's not so much that you're leaving — it's that you're coming back.
How long is cruel to leave a dog alone?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.
Will my dog forget me after a week vacation?It all depends on how much time you spent together and whether they could form long-term memories of you. An adult dog will not forget you within three months and will remember you for years to come.
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