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This series is your roadmap for raising a happy, well-adjusted pup. It complements our book, Help! I Got a Puppy, and offers step-by-step guidance by stage of puppy parenthood.
If you’ve just brought your puppy home, start with our complete guide to the first 48 hours with a new puppy, where we walk you through the first night, early routines, and common mistakes to avoid.
A practical guide for safe solo time, real-life schedules, and raising a calm, confident pup
You brought home a puppy. You’re doing your best. But at some point—maybe sooner than you expected—real life starts calling: work, errands, a moment to breathe. That’s when the big question hits:
The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your puppy’s age, temperament, training progress, and how you introduce solo time. But with the right structure and pacing, you can raise a dog that’s comfortable being alone without fear, frustration, or destruction.
This guide breaks down exactly how long is safe by age, what factors change that number, and what to do before you ever close the front door behind you.
A good starting point: most puppies can hold their bladder for one hour per month of age. That doesn’t mean they should be left alone for that long—but it gives you a ceiling.
Here’s a quick guide:
Puppy Age Max Time Alone (Recommended)
8–10 weeks 30–60 minutes
2–3 months 1–2 hours
3–4 months 2–4 hours
5–6 months 4–6 hours
6+ months 6 hours (some can stretch to 8)
Once your dog is past the six-month mark and reliably potty trained, they may handle up to eight hours, especially with morning exercise and enrichment. But that’s a milestone you reach over time—not where you start.
Not every two-month-old pup is the same. These four factors make a big difference:
Some breeds are naturally more independent. Others—like Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, or French Bulldogs—tend to crave human company and may struggle more with separation. If you have a so-called “Velcro dog,” you’ll need to move slowly.
Puppies thrive on structure. Those who’ve been gently introduced to short solo time, crate training, and positive routines will usually adapt better than those who are suddenly left alone for long stretches.
Bladder control and potty training go hand-in-hand. If your puppy is still having accidents, any time alone longer than an hour or two is likely to cause setbacks.
Shelter dogs, puppies from less socialized litters, or those with trauma may need extra time and care when learning to be alone. Go slow and prioritize security and trust-building.
Leaving your puppy alone longer than they’re ready for can cause more than just accidents.
Here’s what to watch for:
Bottom line: every success builds confidence. Every failure creates confusion and stress. So it’s worth slowing down and doing it right.
👉 Related: Puppy-Proofing Checklist – What to Do Before Leaving Your Puppy Alone
So how do you actually teach a puppy to be alone?
Here’s a step-by-step plan that works:
🗒️ Tip from a trainer: “Your job isn’t to prevent all discomfort—it’s to help your puppy experience it in manageable, safe doses they can recover from.”
Here’s what helps most new puppies succeed when alone:
Crates work best for short stints—under 3–4 hours. For longer durations, use a larger puppy-proofed area. Give your pup space to move, but not roam the whole house.
When you leave, give your puppy a food-stuffed Kong, a puzzle feeder, or a long-lasting chew (like a bully stick, under supervision). The goal: make your departure the cue for something good.
Take your puppy out right before and immediately after any time alone. For puppies under 6 months, arrange a midday potty break—through a friend, neighbor, or dog walker.
Cameras like Wyze or Furbo help you monitor how your puppy handles your absence. This can clue you into separation issues before they become problems.
Try soft music, white noise, or leaving a worn T-shirt that smells like you. It won’t solve everything—but it can help soften the silence.
Let’s be honest: raising a young puppy while working full-time outside the house is hard.
If you’re gone more than 4–6 hours a day and your pup is under 6 months, you’ll need support. Here are options that actually work:
This doesn’t make you a bad owner. It makes you a realistic one.
Can I leave my 8-week-old puppy alone while I go to work?
Not safely. At 8 weeks, most puppies can only go about 30–60 minutes without a potty break or interaction. You’ll need help if you work outside the home.
At what age can a puppy be left alone for 6 hours?
Most puppies reach this threshold between 5 and 6 months of age—but only if they’ve been eased into it gradually.
Should I use a crate or a playpen?
Use a crate for short periods (under 4 hours) and for overnight sleeping. For longer daytime absences, a playpen or puppy-proofed room is safer and more comfortable.
What if my puppy whines or cries when I leave?
Start with shorter absences. Don’t return immediately when they whine—wait for a few seconds of quiet. If anxiety persists, scale back and go slower.
Do all breeds handle being alone the same way?
Not even close. Independent breeds tend to adapt faster. Social, high-energy breeds often need more enrichment and structure to avoid anxiety.
Leaving your puppy alone is one of the most stressful parts of early puppyhood. You’re not the only one who’s googled “can I leave my dog for an hour” with your keys in hand.
But with the right plan—and realistic expectations—you can raise a puppy who’s calm, confident, and safe when you’re away.
And if this still feels overwhelming? That’s exactly why we wrote Help! I Got a Puppy! It’s the no-fluff, sanity-saving guide to raising a dog you can trust, even when you’re not in the room.
👉 Preview the first pages free and see how good this can actually get.
