Can I leave my new puppy alone inside or outside while at work?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Please for advice about the purchase of a dog. Our Bady (labrador retriever) died last month. He was 14 years old. We are very sad, but we decided to get a new dog, labrador too. My husband and I live alone, and we want to get a new puppy Labrador. We have a house on the outskirts and large enclosed backyard. Please consult us where to leave a puppy when we are at work (he/she will be alone almost 9 hours). Should we leave him/she inside of house, or outside?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 9th, 2017
Ideally, the pup should not be left outdoors. If you must, provide shelter where it can stay cool/warm/dry depending on the weather. You can crate the pup indoors but someone will need to let it out to use the bathroom during the day or there will be a mess when you get home. The rule of thumb for crating is 1 hour per month of age plus an additional hour before the pup should be given a break from the crate.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 28th, 2020
The puppy can have his own room but I’d recommend training him in a crate first to prevent accidents. You will likely need to get up multiple times overnight in the beginning to let him outside for potty breaks.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Im looking on getting a Caucasian Shepherd puppy and i was wondering how long i can leave it alone since i work through the day
You should not leave a new, young, puppy alone for more than 4 hours at a time. It would also be best if you left the puppy in a crate so she won’t hurt herself or destroy things in the home. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
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
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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Hi, i have a month old bedlington terrier puppy and i work at the hospital and live alone so just wanted to know is it okay to leave the puppy for 3-5 hours or does it require one person all the time?
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. As long as you are providing the puppy with a place to sleep, plenty of water and toys you should be ok to leave him for 3-5 hours with no problem. You can even look into the PetCube to interact with him remotely when you are not physically there. I also recommend using a product called FreshPatch to help potty train and give him a place indoors to go to the bathroom. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi can my new pup stay in a play crate for 6 hours a day everyday with a small morning walk In the morning and indoor potty arrangements. Thank you!
Great question! Six hours a day is too long for a puppy to be in a play crate. He really needs to be let outside to potty and for a walk every two to three hours at a young age. Once he is around six months of age, he can stay inside the play crate for up to six hours, and when he is fully grown, he can be there for eight hours but no more than 10 hours. I would arrange from someone to come over to your place once during this six hour period to let him out and play with him. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I have my dog picked out and we are going to get her next week! But my question is, do you suggest me leaving my dog home while I'm away for the day? I will be leaving at 8:00am and return at 4:00pm.. I was planning on waking up at 6:00am lett
Congratulations on our new puppy Twinkles! Twinkles is still a baby and she will not be able to hold it from 8-4. At her age, she can only hold it about 4 hours. If possible, have someone stay with her or some to check on her, let her out...etc during the day. It's important to try to establish good housebreaking routines early and stick to a schedule. You also want to be sure to have a secure location for Twinkles to stay when you are not home so that she does not get into trouble. Once puppies are 6 months old, most of them can hold their bladder for 8 hours. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
Is it best to crate train a 6 mos old puppy you rescued from a shelter? How long can you leave him while you are at work?
I highly recommend crate training puppies regardless of where you adopted them from. The general rule for leaving dogs is how many months plus 1 in hours. So if he is 6 months old, you should be able to leave him for 7 hours. Congratulations on your new puppy and thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I work 8:30-5:30 mon-fri I literally just started a new job two days after I got Brenna I can't afford doggy day care and I don't have any friends that will let her out I do have a doggy pad in her play pen in case she needs to go potty. How can I pr
Congratulations - Brenna is adorable! There are plenty of puppies who are just fine being left alone while their owners work. I think the play pen and potty pads will be perfect - just be aware that it may take a little longer to house train her if she is using potty pads. She can have walks and play time before and after you work. You also may want to look into interactive toys for her while you're gone - she could have her breakfast in a food puzzle to give her some stimulation.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I am starting a new job that will require me to be away for eight hours, how do I best manage the transition with my dog? Additionally, what is the best way to keep my dog entertained and should I leave him in the crate or free to roam?
Being only 6 months old, it is safest in a kennel until he gets used to the new routine. It will prevent him from having an accident and destroying things out of bored and possibly ingesting something that may harm him. If you can start getting him used to the kennel before you leave to let him know it is a safe spot that would help. make sure you give treats when he gets in there. Leave him toys as long as he does not destroy or ingest them, and make sure to rotate toys so he does not get bored with the same one every day.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
How do i potty train my 5 month old dog when im not home during the day time and we have other puppies that are not potty trained?
The best way to potty train a puppy is with a crate: https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-crate-train-your-puppy-or-older-dog/ At this age, Sophie should be able to hold her urine comfortable for 6 hours. If you must be gone longer than that, I recommend to try to have someone available to let her out to relieve herself. This will speed up house breaking. I hope this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I'm gonna get a Golden puppy and he's probably gonna be 1 month old. Due to college schedule, I have to leave him alone for max 7 hrs. Can I crate train him in a day or 2 and then crate him while I'm gone? And if that's ok, should I leave food and wa
I would not obtained any puppy younger than about 8 weeks. If it is truly on 4 weeks old then he is too young to be weaned from his mom. Also, 7 hours is quite awhile to leave a puppy that young in a crate so make sure he has a big enough crate that he can pee/poop if needed and not have to lay in it. I would not leave water or food in there as this will encourage him to pee/poop while you are gone. You can give him food and water about 30 minutes before you leave but be sure to take him outside before crating him. Training a puppy to go outside and to hold it can take weeks. Most large breed dogs are trained by the time they are 4-6 months old. i hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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