My dog is a member of the family. While I might want to spend as much time as possible with my pet, it isn’t always feasible. You must leave your dog at home because of commitments to your family, job, and studies, and that’s okay. But the real question of the hour is can I leave my 2-month-old puppy alone?
The answer to this is a direct ‘No’!! It is just impossible to think about leaving my 2-month-old dog because it’s too young to stay all alone. For a dog who is less than 3 months old (10-12 weeks), it can max stay alone for up to 2 hours.
Keep in mind that dogs, especially pups, need to urinate frequently. According to general rules, young pups up to 10 weeks old can’t normally retain their bladder for longer than an hour. Dogs between the ages of 10 and 12 weeks can typically retain it for two hours or so.
Once they are three months old, dogs should be able to hold it for an hour for every month that they have been living. Dogs can typically hold it for up to six hours after six months. Even older dogs shouldn’t be left alone at home for more than six to eight hours at a time without a chance to use the restroom.
Now the next question that comes to mind is how to teach my puppy to be alone at least in the coming months when it grows older.
How to teach my puppy to be alone when it grows a little older?
It’s possible that our puppy has never been left alone before we bring them home. We need to start training our dogs to be independent while we are still at home.
To begin with, place them in an exercise pen or box and leave the room. Making this a comfortable and safe space for them rather than seeing it as a punishment. Feed them meals there and provide them with unique toys they can only access in their box to help make it feel comfortable. For a more soothing impact, we might as well consider using a white noise machine or other anxiety-relieving items.
The other thing that can be possibly done is to consider purchasing a dog camera so that we can check in on our dog when we’re not home if we’re hesitant to leave our dog alone or curious about how they behave when we’re gone.
Now in general, we all know that dogs are ought to keep growing older. So the next thing that’s in question is at what age can a puppy actually be left alone? What is the right age?
At what age can a puppy actually be left alone?
When our puppy is around three months old, we have a little more flexibility when it comes to alone time. We should estimate the length of time to be gone as one hour each month of his age as a general guideline. If our dog is five months old, for instance, We shouldn’t leave him for longer than five hours.
Thought should be given to the fact that not all puppies mature at the same rate. Before turning six months old, our puppy might or might not be prepared for this (let alone the three-month mark). Before extending our time away, we need to utilize our instincts, conduct smaller tests, and always work in a safe area.
So when dogs reach the age of six months, they have the ability to hold their bladder and feces for longer periods of time. It’s acceptable to occasionally leave our dog alone for up to six hours in a secure location if he exhibits these symptoms.
There is, however, another problem we should think about. Puppies are considerably more inclined to chew, bite, and generally damage items before they are a year old if they start to feel scared, disturbed, or anxious. Dog separation anxiety poses a serious concern; many homeowners have returned home to find their door bottom chewed out or their kitchen table leg ripped off.
Now again this makes us question whether older dogs can be left alone for a long time? If yes, then how long can they be left alone?
How long can older dogs be left alone?
Although pups need constant attention, they eventually learn how to feel at ease being left alone for an entire eight-hour shift.
When owners are away at work or other commitments, older dogs typically adapt well to being left at home alone. Going home for lunch or having someone come over to let the dog out may be necessary for senior dogs or so-called elder dogs who might just require more regular walks.
However, every dog is unique. You’ll be able to better understand your dog’s needs and make adjustments once you’ve observed and gotten to know them.
Conclusion:
While getting a new puppy can be very exciting and joyful, you also need to think about your existing schedule and availability before getting a dog. Before bringing home a new puppy, one should think about how long the animal will be alone at home.
Due to their sociable nature, dogs shouldn’t be kept inside kennels or chained outside all day. When they are with the people they adore, dogs are at their happiest. Puppies usually require playtime, time to bond, and time to adjust to their new surroundings.
Maybe a different pet would be a better fit if you don’t intend to spend a lot of time with the dog every day, morning, afternoon, and evening.
When you’re thinking about bringing a dog into your family, decide who will be in charge of the dog’s training, exercise, feeding, and grooming. If everyone in the family is willing to contribute to the dog’s upkeep, a new dog is a wonderful addition.
But again there are some things you shouldn’t do if you do decide to leave your decently grown puppy at home in case of an emergency, like not leaving it alone for a longer period, making sure that your dog has open access to fresh water, and dog proofing your home extra carefully where he is going to stay.