How long should I leave a 12 week old puppy alone?
Denis Abbott
2025-09-23 06:42:26
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He has been left alone in the crate a few times for about an hour when we have popped out and has been fine. I am worried about leaving him over the two weeks. I have arranged a puppy visits twice a day at 10am and 1:30pm and my SIL who is on maternity leave is going to see him at 12 every day. He is not used to the playpen but I still have all next week to get him happy with it. It is only 2 weeks but I am massively over thinking it all. There are 2 weeks before he is fully vaccinated and can go to daycare, so he will be left in the house between 8:30 and 3:30 when my DC come back from school.
Lori Blick
2025-09-23 01:09:03
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8-10 weeks: 1 hour or less.
10-12 weeks: Bladder capacity is increasing, but 2 hours is still the longest that most puppies can hold it at this stage.
Puppies this young simply can’t hold their urine for more than an hour, and even that is pushing it, sometimes.
You might start crate training at this age, but you can’t leave a young puppy in a crate for long periods; he’ll wet his bed (a lot!)
11–14 weeks: 1–3 hours
Before leaving your puppy alone for any period of time, make sure your puppy gets a brisk walk or play session of at least 20 minutes.
Then, a midday romp (with you or a dog walker) will help break up the day.
Puppies will miss you when you’re gone and are prone to destructive behaviours or excess barking if they get lonely.
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