How many hours a day should you be home with your dog?


How many hours a day should you be home with your dog? That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.


Is it okay if I leave my dog home alone for 8 hours and 5 days a week?

If possible, dogs older than 6 months should not be left alone for longer than 4 hours at a time. If this is difficult, the absolute maximum time for them to be alone is 8 hours, but this is only recommended if your dog has a way to get outside for a bathroom break.


Do dogs sleep all day when home alone?

Since they don't have smartphones, jobs, or homework, sleeping is a way for them to pass the day, especially if they are home alone and bored. Many dogs will end up spending about 12 to 14 hours of their days and nights asleep, but they may sleep more.


What are signs of separation anxiety in dogs?

Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit distress and behavioral issues when they're left alone, such as:
  • Trembling or salivating.
  • Digging and scratching at doors or windows.
  • Destructive chewing.
  • Howling, barking or whining.
  • Urination and defecation (even with otherwise house-trained dogs)