My puppies have turned 7 weeks old. In about two weeks or so, they will be leaving me and beginning their new lives with their families. I have been doubling down on trying to teach them to settle while crated alone, and I am so thrilled the weather has improved so we can get outside and start the process of housebreaking. Now is the time I begin preparing my puppy families for what is coming their way. The first question I often get asked is how long a 9- to 10-week-old puppy can be alone.
I suggest that someone in the family take a few days off from work, if possible, to help the puppy establish their new routine. First thing in the morning here, I open my front door and lead all of the puppies from their pen outside to potty. We stay outside until everyone has gone and then do a little walk around the yard. After that, the puppies romp in the kitchen while I get their breakfast ready, and then it is nap time. I am starting to have the puppies nap in their own pens, so they can get used to being alone. When nap time is over, everyone goes out the same door again to go potty and gets a treat for doing so. Once they are in their new homes, that routine will naturally change, and they will need to learn the new ropes of where to potty and feeding times.
Based on my experience with my own litters, I would say that 8- to 10-week-old puppies have to urinate about once an hour. For puppies in this age range, once you have your puppy home and have established a potty routine, you can gauge how long your specific puppy can hold it. I wait about half an hour after meals to take them outside to poop.
Eventually, everyone has to return to work or go about their business, and the puppy will have to be alone. If you have put your puppy in a crate or pen on your time off and rewarded them for being settled when you are home with them, most puppies lose track of the time that you are gone and entertain themselves just fine. However, no matter how settled they are, they will still have to use the bathroom. Finding someone who can come let them out while you are working will be helpful in preventing accidents. Make sure to tell them the rules you have established, like which door to go out and that they will praise and give them treats when they potty outside. Also, remember that someone other than you coming to see them will be super exciting, and they might not potty right away. Make sure the person who is doing the job has the patience to wait it out for them to potty. They will go if you wait.
I think it is reasonable for a 10-week-old puppy to hold it for about two hours. In my experience, you can add time for each week they mature. Don’t get upset or frustrated if there are accidents, as they are bound to happen. Deciding how long your puppy stays alone and having someone let them out for you should be based on what is available to you in your life, so don’t feel horrible if you can’t get someone to let them out every two hours. When I was a police officer with an erratic schedule, I assumed that sometimes I would come to a mess. Everyone needs to pay the bills, so don’t feel guilty about leaving your puppies. Just do the best you can, and make the most of the time you do have with them.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
