If puppies could talk, they would explain that they are meant to freely jump, run, roam, and sniff through the house. However, they are well-known liars, their innocent cute faces façade. Keeping them in a specific room prevents him from getting into trouble, but he should not be confined all day.
While puppies are yet to learn good habits, they need to be kept in the same house area at all times. They should also be on a leash while inside the house. By doing this, you can rescue him quickly in an incident, correct and stop any improper behaviors. Once the puppy is trained to behave well in the house and is not jumping on anything and everything, you can leave him to roam around the house. Frequently check on him and if he has a leash, have a hold of the leash at all times.
When can a puppy have free range of the house?
If the puppy is trained to be left in the crate when you are not home, it might be hard to trust him left loose in the house. This depends on the dog; some of them may not be left lose all alone. Crates are an excellent option to keep the puppy out of trouble and safe. The big question is always when or if you should give the puppy more freedom.
How to know when the puppy is safe to be let loose in the house
Is the dog well behaved while you are at home?
If the puppy has access to all rooms in the house when you are home and does not get into trouble, then he might be safe to be left loose. However, if the puppy is still having accidents or chewing off-limit stuff, it may be challenging to leave him to wander alone in the house. Keep working on the necessary training and keep him in the crate. The puppy will not magically be given freedom according to age; it all depends on the dog’s behavior, which requires a lot of patience.
Is it indispensable to give the dog freedom?
The common mistake that happens with dog owners is giving them too much freedom too quickly. It is crucial to start by letting the dog stay home for 15 to 20 minutes before returning. Continuously doing this trains the dog to roam freely, alone all the time. If the puppy does not do well at leaving him for more time, reduce the number of hours when leaving him or get him company.
Ensure the dog gets enough exercise
If Puppies do not get enough physical and mental exercise, they will find a way to expel the remaining energy. When training the puppy to be let loose in the house, find a way to increase his physical activity during the day. A puppy that goes for a long walk in the morning is highly likely to remain calm and rested when left alone.
Some dogs may need always to be crated.
Some puppies can never do well if they are let loose in the house alone. If the puppy is happy being in the crate, then allow them to remain there to avoid them being hurt and keep the house in order. Crates should never be used as a punishment for the puppy as they will come to hate it. Keep their experience sound by always providing treats and extra goodies like puzzle toys or chew bones.
How long can the puppy hold it when left alone?
An adult dog naturally needs to pee between 3 to 5 times a day. Puppies, on the other hand, need to take such breaks more often. Puppies can be left alone for one hour every month, meaning a three-month old puppy can wait three hours. Some standard classification according to age include;
- 8-10 weeks– one hour or less. Such young puppies cannot merely hold it for more than one hour. This is the stage to start crate training for shorter periods; otherwise, he can wet his bed.
- 10-12 weeks– 2 hours maximum
- 3-6 months– at this age, consider the one hour per month rule. Two months old puppies can wait for 2 hours while four months old puppies can wait for four hours and so on.
- After six months– older puppies, just like dogs, can wait for up to 6 hours. Frequently visit the dog during the day to check on him or get a sitter.
These estimates vary depending on the size of the puppy, his health, and habits. Any puppy that holds pee for too long is at risk of acquiring urinary infections, kidney stones, or crystals. It is also uncomfortable and can lead to frequent accidents.
Leaving the puppy home for the first time.
Having a puppy in the house is exciting, but it comes with a schedule change. Your work and social life routine will have to rotate around the puppy’s needs. Puppies naturally crave attention, exercise, company, and interaction and are not known to hold it for long on their own. If you work full-time, you will need help, especially when the puppy is still young. Regardless, you do not have to be with the puppy all the time. Leaving him alone is not dangerous or harmful. It is useful as it allows them to adjust to some distance from you.
How to help the puppy feel safe when left home alone
1. Crate train the puppy.
Crate training the puppy is an excellent way to teach them to get used to being left behind. Giving them a comfortable and safe space to stay for that duration does the job. However, the puppy should not spend many hours alone in the crate as it can stress him and limit his interaction behavior with the surrounding.
2. Consider taking the puppy to a dog daycare.
If you stay away from home for longer hours, you should contemplate dropping the puppy at a dog daycare. Some daycares even collect the puppy from you. As much as it is not a model for puppies still learning in a new environment, it is perfect for social puppies who love to play with other puppies. The daycare is a fantastic way to physically exercise the puppy and allow him to be social. Ensure to conduct proper research on the daycare services to make sure it is well-suited for the puppy.
3. Hire a dog walker
Another excellent option for the puppy is hiring a dog walker if the puppy does not feel safe with other dogs around. Getting someone to come will help break the puppy’s day. It would be best if the dog walker came during the day to let the puppy out for the toilet, help them use up some energy, and relax. They can also provide the puppy with treats and walk the dog around. You should equally find out about the dog walker’s services to ensure maximum safety for the dog.
4. Spend more time with the puppy
If you are always away from home due to work, you can consider working from home some days, or if the workplace allows, take the puppy with you. Frequently visit the puppy over breaks if you work close to home, and you can involve other family members in visiting the puppy.
5. Train the puppy to recognize when you are leaving
To help the puppy understand that they will be left alone for some time, you can teach them various signals. Examples include a word like bye or a wave that means see you later. Some puppies may be okay without a departing signal, but it is a good habit to avoid trouble when leaving.
6. Tire the puppy before leaving
The best thing to help the puppy stay calm during the day is to give him some exercise. When you take the dog from morning exercise or walk, he is likely to sleep all day long. This provides you a chance to leave the house without being worried about the puppy.
7. Keep the puppy occupied.
Find out constructive ways for the dog to spend their time when you are not around. You can use a food-dispensing toy rather than the regular food bowl. This occupies them and challenges them. Various toys offer various puzzles that keep the puppy engaged and active when you are away. When the puppy is bored, he can be destructive, and toys keep them busy instead.
8. Do not give in to emotional blackmail.
As much as it is tempting, do not go back to the house when the puppy starts crying, howling, barking, or whining. Wait for him to be quiet on his own, then go back to praise him for being calm with a gentle stroke. Always give him treats only when leaving and not when coming back. Giving them treats when coming back will make him anxious and eager for you to come home.
9. Train the puppy early
It is vital to introduce the dog to being alone as early as possible. Start with leaving him alone for minutes as you gradually increase the time if he remains calm when left. The puppy can be in his bed or crate, and you can leave the radio or TV on. This helps the dog to relax, and additional blankets in the doggy den make him more comfortable. In due course, the puppy should learn that being left alone is not very scary, and they can be alone without being destructive and emotional.
How to prevent issues when leaving the puppy home alone for the first time
Wait until the puppy is ready.
Before you leave the puppy alone, ensure that he is ready to stay alone. Please do not leave him the first few days of bringing him home as they are new to the environment and have not had any time to get used to the surroundings. It would be best if you committed a few days to bond with the puppy, walk them to all rooms, and ensure he gets comfortable. If he is still afraid of some rooms, he is not going to be well alone.
Establish alone times
It would be best to avoid puppy eyes every once in a while. Showering the dog with affection all day long will create problems once you leave him alone. Create some alone time that is not necessarily such severe as ignoring him while on the phone or eating. This teaches the puppy to be comfortable on his own, and he might cry, but it is a learning process. If he handles it well, you can set up a place for him to stay alone.
Teach the calm puppy behavior
Puppies are very energetic and can be active all day long if allowed. It is essential to teach him to be calm early in life. You can achieve this by abruptly stopping an activity once in a while. You can use a training word like calm or hush. When you give the command, the puppy stays still for a while, and you can end the calm period with another command.
Avoid pampering
Pampering the puppy too much can have damaging effects on his attitude to being left alone. It would be best if you do not apologize to them or talk about going sadly. This makes him think that your absence is not a good thing.
Provide mental Stimulation
Besides leaving the puppy with plenty of toys when leaving, you can also purchase products that expand the puppy’s mind. Mental stimulation toys are ideal for such a situation and help avoid separation anxiety and boredom. The toys are available in an array of designs that incorporate treats inside. The puppy must solve the puzzle to get to the treat. The puppy will spend several hours playing with these toys, which improves his problem-solving skills while keeping him busy.
The Bottom Line
The first six months of a puppy naturally demands more care, attention, and exercise. Puppies are social animals, and when you leave them, they get lonely and can excessively bark. Crate training steps in as the best solution, similar to establishing a puppy space in the house and giving the puppy lots of exercises and chew toys. A dog walker also aids in keeping the puppy busy during the day without being very worried. Getting the puppy to a dog daycare is another excellent option for the puppy to frow both socially and physically.