Home alone?

[YellowLabMom]

My puppy is almost 6 months old and we have just started letting him sleep outside of his kennel at night. So far he has done well being out by himself at night. I'm wondering what your thoughts are about what is a good age to start leaving him home alone without confining him in his kennel.

 

[Gempress]

First of all, it's important to realize that being left alone is different from being left out at night. Some dogs have no problems. Others will have issues.

But it really depends on his mental maturity. Some pups can be left alone at a young age, and others are terrors until 2 or 3 years old.

If I were you, I'd wait another month. Your puppy is just hitting doggie adolescence. That's the wonderful age when a puppy completely loses his brain and spends the next 6 months to a year regrowing it. If your pup continues to be calm and reliable, then I'd give leaving him out a try.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

Cider slept uncrated at night at 6 months, and was a menace till just over 2 years. at a year and a half I could shower with no damage, took till 2 years to leave her for an hour building up to 6 hours.

 

[kidsanddogs]

It can be very individual. However, in my experience, females become ready around a year, and males closer to two years. The most important thing is to learn to read your own dog. You want to create successful experiences for him, not put him in situations that he is too young or immature to handle. In the meantime, work on obedience training and building the bond between the two of you. Have fun!

 

[bubbatd]

My grand-dog Seger has the house at will at night ( also almost 6 mos ) but I think they still crate him if they go out .... more for his safety that house issues . He goes to work daily with his Daddy and has a cage there too ....but only crated during meeting etc .

 

[Spirit2010]

Hershey (I have a Labrador also) is 5 years old, and we can't trust him in the house alone all day, because he just got to come in. He is not trusted yet. I am working with him daily though to let him in. You'll get there, be patient.