PupShiftHow long can a dog be left alone?
Asked at homeHow long can a dog be left alone?
PupShift · Short answerThe RSPCA advises leaving an adult dog alone for no longer than about four hours, so the dog can go out, move and be with people. Puppies need much shorter gaps, roughly an hour per month of age for potty trips. Every dog is different, and some find being alone hard.
Adult dogs
The RSPCA says how long a dog can be left depends on the individual dog, and advises no longer than four hours. Dogs who struggle when alone need training first, starting with very short absences.
Puppies
A puppy’s bladder sets the limit. The AKC’s rule of thumb is about one hour per month of age, so a 3-month-old needs someone every few hours. Our potty break planner lays out a day.
Planning the gaps in a busy week
Write down the long days and give each gap an owner: a lunch-break walk, a neighbor, or a dog walker. With PupShift, a walker can join with a helper link and log the walk, so everyone at work can see it happened.
This is general information, not a substitute for advice from a vet or trainer. If something seems wrong with your pet, call your vet.
Sources
- Training your dog to be left alone RSPCA
- Puppy Potty Training Timeline and Tips American Kennel Club