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We hate leaving our dogs home alone, but sometimes we have to. Whether it’s for work or for a vacation, there will come a time where your dog will be left to its own devices. To make sure there aren’t any accidents, read over some of our tips on how to leave your dog home alone.

How long is too long?

While each dog is different, there are general guidelines as to how much time a dog can be alone for.

  • For puppies, they can handle about 2 hours of alone time
  • Adult dogs (over 18 months) can handle 4-6 hours
  • Elderly dogs can be alone for 2-6 hours depending on their health

Bladder control

Unless you want to come home to a mess on the floor, you’re going to need to make sure that your pup is let out for a potty break. How frequently they need one will depend on age, hydration, and physical build. Eventually, though, you’ll begin to learn how often your dog needs to be let outside. If you’re going to be gone all day, then plan to have someone check in on your dog and let them out in the middle of the day.

Don’t give your dog free rein of the house

In the beginning, you don’t want to let your dog wander around the house by themselves. This is just a recipe for disaster. Instead, either keep them in a separate room or crate train them to ensure that they don’t cause a mess all over your home. Make their room or crate comfortable by leaving bedding, food, water, and toys for them to play with.

Separation anxiety

Some dogs, if left alone for an extended period of time, will suffer from separation anxiety. The best way to deal with separation anxiety is to prevent it from ever happening in the first place. This can be accomplished by getting your dog used to being alone while they’re still young. However, if your dog already has separation anxiety, then contact your veterinarian for the best course of action.

Here at Bulldog Angels, we want to make sure that all pets are kept safe and happy all year round. So, if you have further questions on leaving your dog home alone, or if you’re looking to adopt an English bulldog into your family, then give us a call today at 785-294-0209.