It’s important to consider how long you are leaving your dog alone, and if that is appropriate for your dog. If you leave your dog alone for too long, it can lead to isolation distress – which is bad for the dog, and bad for you. 10-12 hours is too long to leave your dog on its own. Dogs generally need to relieve themselves every 4-6 hours. And even if you can crate train your dog, it’s cruel to leave your dog alone for this long.
Key Takeaways:
- 10 to 12 hours is way too long to leave a dog alone. It is best to only shoot for six hours or less.
- When a dog is left alone for long periods of time, it can cause isolation and lead them into a depressive state.
- If you cannot dedicate enough time to your dog, hire a dog sitter or look into doggy daycare.
“Not so long ago, no one gave a second thought to leaving a dog home alone for a day or two with a supply of kibble and plenty of water to drink.”