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What's best for my 8-week puppy during vacation: friend's or home?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

I'm going on vacation the first week of March and I'll be unable to take my new puppy with me. He will be slightly over 8 weeks at the time. Is it more beneficial for me to let him stay with one of my friends while I'm gone and risk him feeling like I abandoned him, or allow a friend to come over to the house throughout the day to watch him? I feel bad doing the second option because he doesn't get an extended amount of time outside of his crate then and is left alone the majority of the day.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on February 8th, 2017

The general rule of thumb for crating is 1 hour for every month of age plus one. This means he can be crated a maximum of 3 hours at a time before needing to come out, go outside, etc. It would be best at his age for him to be with someone throughout the day instead of short visits during the day.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    As long as your friend doesn't have unvaccinated dogs and keeps your new puppy away from dogs of unknown vaccinated status, it will be absolutely fine to have him stay there. It would be better for him to have the company, and he won't feel abandoned by you. I hope you have a lovely vacation :-)

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