Home alone

Nala

What age did you leave your puppy home alone for the first time and how long for? Nala hasn't been left alone since she was born and is now 9 weeks old. I am trying to prepare her to be left alone during the day for a couple of hours at most. Is there a good way to go about this?

Jbird

I put mine out side and shut the back door for 6 + hours 3-4 days a week. I've watched her regularly during these times. She's not stressed. She sleeps in the sun, runs around the grasss with her bone, chases birds, drags her blanket around, and gets her head into my pot plants. She pretty much does similar things if I had her inside. Sleep next to a window, drag a blanket around, explore the house, annoy me etc.

Mickjameslenehan

We have been fortunate that my wife was off work so our puppy has never been left for any lengthy periods. But our previous dogs have been left while we have been at work and have been just fine.

Nala

@Mickjameslenehan any problems with chewing furniture? Separation anxiety etc? I know each case is unique. Did you crate your previous dogs whilst you were absent? How long were they left? thanks

Mickjameslenehan

We have crated our last two dogs but before that never did. I would not go without a crate now it's just piece of mind that he is not chewing up the house or electric cable. We have always had two dogs at once which really helps with the separation anxiety. As I recall my wife was working two days a week but I work shifts so I suppose the longest they were left for was around 4-5hrs and sometimes would try to get a family member to pop in. Dogs are quite lazy animals as long as you give them plenty of exercise and stimulation when your at home they will sleep a good few hrs when your not around without an issue

Jbird

Mine chewed and destroyed a few house items, even when I was in the house with her (I just wasn't in that room with her). One of our bedroom doors doesn't latch properly, she got in and tore up white sheets on a bed. Another time she ripped up a spare blow up bed in another room that I accidental left the door open on. Our gym doesn't have a door, she sleeps on the black matting in the sun (and has had a chew on my black coated weights).
She's getting better at 17 months of age but I now don't trust her. We keep all doors bedroom doors shut and if I can't supervise then she goes outside.

BulliesofNC

The time to consider when to leave a Bull Terrier home alone uncrated would be when you know your Bullie is fully matured and no longer in the destructive mode. It would be best to start the process by leaving him or her home alone during short trips to the store and back.
Every Bull Terrier has a different personality and some can remain destructive when bored through their adulthood.

There's nothing wrong with keeping your Bullie in their crate while you are away from the house in order to ensure the safety of their well being. Some Bull Terriers will eat the electrical cords off the walls if they get bored or decide to chew on your baseboards and furniture. Kennel crates are not meant for long durations but they are the best means for keeping your Bullie safe and sound. Most Bull Terriers love their crate and think of it like their Dog Den. It would not be recommended to leave any dog in a crate all day because they would certainly become stressed and develop OCD or other health issues.

swbaggies

Mine is 15 months old. I have no issue leaving him outside in my fenced garden. He sleeps in the shade has never destroyed anything
I have a cctv set up and on the occasions I've looked remotely to make sure he was OK when I first started leaving him, he would just be sleeping or playing with his toys.
He barks at people walking past and cats so is an excellent guard dog too.

I would not feel comfortable leaving him indoors uncreated alone, not because I don't trust him, more that he is clumsy and I'd worry he would knock something over.

Nala

Thanks everyone for the detailed responses. I'm going to start leaving her alone for a short period of time in her crate and then in small increments up until a couple of hours.

corey90260

@BulliesofNC Now that is a crate

corey90260

Mine is in a crate and she loves it. I can't imagine leaving her alone any other way ,inside or outside .She is destruction walking I am lucky I have a son at home that lets her out and plays with her while I am at work.

Nala

How much exercise/walking should a 10/11 week old pup be getting? As it stands Nala gets 20/30 minutes of walking a day and some running around in the garden. She still has loads of energy but I don't want to cause her harm by overexercising.