Should you be with your puppy all day

Setting Schedules and Developing a Routine for Your New Puppy

There are so many new experiences and things to think about when you bring home yourpuppythat you may forget one of the most important parts of puppy homecoming: establishing a routine. Structure will help your new canine family member feel secure and know whats expected of him. The best way to do this is to create a schedule and stick to it. The first few weeks with your new puppy is the time to start establishinggood behaviors. By the way, the puppy is not the only one who benefits from a schedule; it also makes life easier for the human members of the family. You wont have to plan out every moment of your pups day, but there are a few important areas where a schedule can make the difference between a well-adjusted dog and chaos.

Your Puppys Feeding Schedule

Unlike mature dogs that eat once or twice a day, most puppies need to eat puppy foodthree times a day. Make it easier to remember by planning his mealtimes around your own breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wash out his water bowl and make sure its always filled with clean water, too.

Schedule Potty Breaks

Keep to a regular routine of taking your puppy outside at least every two-to-four hours and after every change of activity. This is especially important duringhouse trainingand will keep accidents to a minimum.

Playtime Is Important!

Your puppy needs exercise and interaction with you. A word of caution: sustained, strenuous exercise (long runs, jumping) is not good for puppies, but playing, mental stimulation, and running around in the yard are good. Some experts recommend waiting until a dog is about one year old before starting with serious exercise and this can vary by breed. Differentdog breedshave different energy levels and rates of growth; the growth plates in their joints close at different ages. But doschedule play and exercise timeinto your puppys day: a walk around the neighborhood,playing with toys, and time spent bonding go a long way toward expending energy. Several shorter sessions are better for a puppy than one long one.

Naps and Bedtime

Young puppies sleep a great deal of the time; in fact, some will sleep as much as 16-to-18 hours a day. Plan on quiet nap times for him several times during the day. Family members, especially young children, should learn not to disturb him when hes sleeping. He needs his rest! You may need to put a crate in a quiet part of the house so he wont be distracted by the hustle and bustle that may be going on during naptime.

When it comes to bedtime, some owners set a specific time to settle their puppy down for the night. Others just want him to sleep when they sleep. It may be easier to set a puppy bedtime and help him get used to the routine.

Do I Have to Make a Schedule for My Puppy?

The sooner you set a schedule, the sooner hell adjust to his new family and you to him. Routine makes it easier for everyone, humans included, to know whats acceptable behavior and whats expected. Keep in mind that high jinks from an adorable puppy or little accidents will not seem so adorable when hes a full-grown dog. The sample schedule below is a good place to start; you may need to tailor it to suit your puppy.

A Sample Puppy Schedule

• First thing in the morning:Take the puppy out to relieve himself. Make time to play and interact with him after hes taken care of business.
• Breakfast time:Feed the puppy. Leave the food down for no longer than 15 minutes. After that, pick up the bowl and give no more food until the next meal (except for small treats used for training). Wash the water bowl and provide clean water.
• After puppys breakfast:Puppies usually need to relieve themselves again, within a few minutes of eating, so give another potty opportunity. After this, spend some time playing and/or doing a little training with your puppy. And though everyone is busy in the morning getting ready for work or school, make time for a quick walk to give him a chance to do his business one more time.
• Mid-morning:The rest of the morning might be devoted to nap time, ideally in a dog crate or pen. Even if youre home during the day, your puppy should spend time in a crate or pen; this will help him learn how to be alone when necessary. Its also impossible to know what a puppy will get into when you turn away for a moment and there needs to be a place to put him when you cant supervise directly. If he will be home alone for more hours than he can control his bladder or bowels, you need to set up a pen with an area for him to relieve himself or consider having a pet sitter come to take him out.
• Noon:A repeat of the early morning routine as soon as he wakes up, a trip outside. Then lunch, and another trip outside should follow the meal. Spend some time playing with and training him, so he can burn some energy. And dont forget one more potty break before the afternoon nap!
• Mid-afternoon: When he wakes up, its time to go out again. And time to play and train, again. Then a chance to potty. If youre home, he can hang out with you for a while before dinner.
• Dinner:If you arrange his mealtimes around yours, it will become natural to feed him either while youre preparing dinner or while the household is eating. But pay attention so you can take him outside as soon as hes finished. Before the family sits down to dinner, its a good idea to give the puppy a chew toy to enjoy in his crate. This way he wont get underfoot, and nobody will be tempted to give him tidbits from the table.
• Evening:Another potty break! The early evening is a good time for lots of interaction. For many puppies this is the witching hour, and if you anticipate it by initiating play, he may settle down. If he doesnt, even after plenty of exercise, give him a treat and let him settle in the crate for a while. Later, an evening stroll gives him exercise and a chance to take a potty break. And make sure he potties right before bed.
• Bedtime: A set bedtime makes his adjustment and house training easier for everyone. It doesnt matter if its 8 p.m. or midnight, as long as it becomes a routine.Take him to his crateand help him settle down for the night.
• Night: If your puppy is not yet able to make it through the night, set an alarm so you can get up and take him out for a quick, boring potty break. Its better to wake up a little before you think he will, so that you are not responding to whining and barking. Then back to bed so youll be ready for the next wonderful day with your puppy!

By establishing the routine from the very beginning, youll be on your way to a happy, well-adjusted dog. Its worth putting in the time and effort right now so that undesirable habits and behaviors wont stand a chance.

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How Long Can You Leave a Puppy Alone?

Your dog is part of the family. While you may want to spend as much time as possible with your pet, that is not always possible. With responsibilities like work, family, and school, youre forced to leave your dog at home and thats okay. But how do you prepare your puppy to be alone? How long is too long for a puppy to be alone?

We spoke with Mary Janek, Director of Public Training and Instructor of Competition Obedience at the Muncie Obedience Training Club for answers.

Acclimate Your New Puppy to Your Routine

Getting a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with new responsibilities and changes to your routine. To raise a healthy and happy dog, your puppy will need attention, exercise, and social interaction. In addition, a well-adjusted and thriving dog will need to learn how to be alone.

When acquiring a new puppy, plan on some vacation time from work so your puppy can get acclimated to the new environment, said Janek.

Use the time off to get your dog used to the house and their crate. Once theyre more comfortable at your house, you can leave them at home in their crate for an hour or more at a time. Janek recommends making arrangements for someone to let the puppy out at least once or twice after you return to work.

How Long Can Puppies Be Alone?

Puppies of different ages have varied time limits in which they can and should be left alone. As dogs get older, they can be alone for longer. How old your dog is generally correlates with the amount of time (in hours) that they can be alone.

• Under 10 weeks: 1 hour
• 10-12 weeks: 2 hours
• 3 months: 3 hours
• 4 months: 4 hours
• 5 months: 5 hours
• 6 months: 6 hours
• Over 6 months: Maximum 6-8 hours

Remember, dogs and especially puppies need to urinate often. As a guideline, new puppies up to 10 weeks old typically cant hold their bladder for more than an hour. Dogs between 10 to 12 weeks old can usually hold it for around two hours.

Once your dog reaches three months old, they can usually hold it for an hour for each month theyve been alive. After six months, dogs can usually hold it for up to six hours. However, even adult dogs shouldnt be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break.

Teaching Your Puppy How to be Alone

When you first bring home your puppy, its likely theyve never been alone before. To teach your dog how to be alone, start by teaching them how while youre still home.

Put them in a crate or exercise pen to start out and leave the room. Janek explains that the key is to make this a safe and relaxing place for them, instead of a punishment. To make this a safe space, feed them meals inside it and give them special toys they only get in their crate. You might also try a white noise machine or other anxiety-easing products to provide a more calming effect.

When youre crate training, Janek recommends setting up a schedule of bathroom breaks and exercise. Come home for lunch or hire someone to do it for you, she said. Leave special safe toys to occupy the puppy while youre away.

If youre nervous to leave your dog alone or are curious about how they react when youre gone, consider investing in a dog camera so you can check in your dog when you arent home.

How Long Can Older Dogs Be Alone?

While puppies require constant care, theyll gradually learn how to be comfortable alone for an eight-hour workday.

Older dogs seem to do well at home alone while owners are away at work and other functions, she said. Senior dogs may need to be out more frequently, so going home for lunch or having someone to come by to let the dog out may be required.

However, each dog is different. Once you observe and get to know your dog, youll be able to better understand their needs and adjust accordingly.

Considerations Before Getting a Dog

A new puppy brings a lot of joy and excitement, but you should consider your current schedule and availability before getting a dog. How long the puppy is going to be home alone should be considered before bringing home a new puppy, Janek said.

Dogs are social animals and shouldnt be cooped up in a kennel or tied up outside all day. Dogs are the happiest when theyre with the people they love. Janek reiterated that puppies need exercise, time to bond, and time to get used to their new environment.

If you dont intend to spend lots of time with the dog each day, morning, afternoon, and evening, maybe a different pet would be a better fit, she said.

When youre considering adding a dog to your family, decide who is responsible for feeding, grooming, exercising, and training the dog. A new dog in the family is a great addition if everyone agrees to do their part in their care.