Leaving your dog at home for long periods of time can be difficult. You may be wondering if it’s okay to leave them alone for 8 hours or longer. The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to do to make sure your dog is safe and comfortable.
In this blog post, we will discuss what you need to do to leave your dog alone for 8 hours or more!
Can I Leave My Dog Alone for 8 Hours?
In general, dogs should be trained to be comfortable with being left alone. If your dog is over a year old, well potty trained, and you’ve left him alone for several hours before without any accidents, then he can probably stay alone for up to eight hours.
If you have a puppy or an untrained dog, someone will need to come home during the day to let him out and give him some exercise. If your dog is prone to separation anxiety, destructive chewing, or barking when left alone, he should not be left unsupervised for more than a few hours at a time.
If you’re going to be away from home for more than eight hours, it’s best to hire a dog walker or dog sitter or take your dog to doggy daycare. This way, he’ll get plenty of exercise, socialization, and attention while you’re away.
Can I Leave My Puppy Alone for 8 Hours?
Puppies need more frequent bathroom breaks as well as for others to watch over them to ensure they are not getting into something they shouldn’t be. A good rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold it for one hour per month of age. So, if your puppy is three months old, he can be left alone for up to three hours.
Puppies should also not be left alone for long periods of time because they are more prone to separation anxiety and may become destructive when left alone.
This can lead to accidents, chewing, and barking. If you must leave your puppy alone for more than a few hours.
How to Leave My Dog Alone for 8 Hours?
If you’re wondering how to make the best environment for your pup for an 8 hour period, here are some helpful tips:
Walk Your Dog Right Before You Leave –
A good walk before you leave will help your pup to use the restroom and get some energy out. Try your best to let your dog go #1 and #2 beforehand so you know he won’t have to go while you’re away.
Put Out a Reasonable Amount of Water
Make sure you leave your dog with enough water during this period. However, it’s also important not to leave too much water out. You don’t want your dog to drink too much and then have an accident.
Ignore Your Dog and Stay Calm Right Before Leaving
Many people love to connect with their dogs right before heading out for work, and this makes sense since you will miss them all day. However, it’s best to leave your dog alone for the last 5 or 10 minutes before leaving. This will help reduce any anxiety your dog may have about you leaving.
If you give your dog attention right before leaving, he will think that something is up and this will increase his anxiety. So, try to keep things as normal as possible by ignoring him right before heading out the door.
Give Your Dog a High-Value Chew Toy
Chews are a great way to keep your dog occupied and content while you’re away. Make sure to give your dog a chew that will last for at least an hour, such as a Kong toy filled with peanut butter or a rubber toy.
Make sure it isn’t a toy that will easily break or that your dog will finish in a few minutes. This way, you’ll know your pup is safe.
Leave the Radio On or Put on Some White Noise
If your dog is used to having some background noise, such as the radio or TV, consider leaving it on for him while you’re gone. This will help to reduce any anxiety he may have about being left alone.
You can also try putting on some white noise, such as a fan, to help your dog relax. There are also many videos on YouTube that are designed to help dogs relax.
Consider Hiring a Dog Sitter or Walker
If you’re going to be gone for more than eight hours, it’s best to hire a dog walker or dog sitter. This way, your pup will get plenty of exercise, socialization, and attention while you’re away.
Make Sure the House is Dog-Proofed
Before leaving your dog alone, make sure the house is safe for him. Remove anything that could be harmful or destructive, such as toxic plants, cleaning supplies, and small objects that he could choke on.
Also, make sure all doors and windows are securely shut so he can’t escape.
Set up a Puppy Cam to Check In While You’re Away
If you want to be able to check in on your pup while you’re away, consider setting up a puppy cam. This way, you can see how he’s doing and if he’s getting into anything he shouldn’t be.
Use Puppy Pads or a Doggie Door
If you’re potty training your pup or have an older dog, you may want to consider using puppy pads or a doggie door. This way, he can go to the bathroom while you’re away without making a mess.
If you use a doggie door, make sure that the outdoor space is well secured so that your pup can’t escape.
Is It Cruel to Leave a Dog Alone All Day?
Leaving your dog alone for eight hours is not cruel, but it is important to make sure that he has everything he needs to be comfortable.
For example, leaving your dog in a crate that is too small or not providing enough food and water can be considered cruel.
However, as long as you provide your dog with everything he needs and make sure he is safe, there is no reason why you can’t leave him alone for eight hours. Keep an eye out to make sure that there aren’t any problems such as increased anxiety, and your dog should be just fine.
As mentioned above, using a remote camera can help you to assess the best situation for your dog by watching its behaviors.
If you have any concerns about leaving your dog alone for eight hours, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist. They can help you to create a plan that will work for both you and your dog.
How Long Is Too Long to Leave a Dog Alone?
There is no definitive answer to this question since every dog is different.
However, if you’re gone for more than eight hours, it’s best to hire a dog walker or dog sitter. This way, your pup will get plenty of exercise, socialization, and attention while you’re away.
Don’t leave your dog alone for over 10 hours at an absolute maximum, and try to reserve these occasions for emergencies only. It’s important that your dog gets plenty of attention and regular bathroom breaks to prevent him from having accidents in the house.