Can You Kennel A Dog For 8 Hours? (Solved!)

One of the biggest questions that pet health experts get asked is how long your dog can be safely left alone in a crate or kennel. The answer to this question will depend on a number of factors. These will include the age of your dog, the conditions you work under, and just when you plan to leave them in the crate.

A puppy under the age of 5 months can only control their need to eliminate waste for so long. Leaving them too long in the crate is cruel. If you have a young pup, it’s always best to let them out of the crate once every few hours in order to complete their house training in a satisfactory manner.

So can you leave a dog in a kennel for 8 hours? No during the day. Yes during the night. The only time that a dog of any age should be left in a crate for up to 8 hours is during the night when they are asleep. During the day, dogs want to be roam around and be active. They also want to eliminate their waste in a natural setting far away from where they sleep, eat, and play with their toys or their owner.

If you are going to be away from the house for 8 hours, it’s a good idea to have someone in the house check up on your dog. They can let them out of the crate to run and play and do their business. The only time you should leave your dog alone for an extended period of time is there is absolutely no other way around it.

What Dog Can Be Left Alone For 8 Hours?

The fact of the matter is that no dog should be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. You want your dog to feel loved and looked after. You want them to feel that someone is there to help them if they get into some kind of trouble. Even if you can’t be there, you should have a friend or relative or dog sitter in the house.

Puppies are especially prone to get confused, lonely, or sad during extended long hours in a crate. They are at a critical age where they crave companionship and play time with their human. They are also at the age where they will have trouble holding in waste for more than a few hours at a time, let alone 8.

Even an adult dog will get cranky if you leave them by themselves in a crate for too long. They need to get out and play and do their doggie business. They don’t like to do this last part in the same place where they eat and sleep. They also don’t want to be alone with no opportunity to run around or interact with other dogs or humans.

The best time to leave your dog in the crate for an extended period will be at night when they are asleep. This is because the crate is a safe place for them to relax and get the rest that they need. They won’t be sad or lonely while they are asleep. But when the morning comes, they definitely need to get out and stretch their legs.

Get Our #1 Easy, Homemade Dog Food Recipe (Vet-Approved), 100% Free!!! Click to get it NOW!

When (What Age) Can I Leave My Dog For 8 Hours?

Puppies under the age of 5 months should definitely not be left in a crate by themselves for more than a few hours. They are at an age where they need to interact and play with their owner as much as possible. This is also the critical age at which you acquaint them with the basic rules of housetraining.

You don’t want to keep them in a crate for too long because they get lonely, anxious, and confused. A puppy that spends too long by themselves may start to act out or become destructive. You may have trouble getting them to do their business in the places you have designated for them. They may also be anxious or withdrawn.

Once they reach their adult years, dogs are more accustomed to the rules of the house. At this point, they have a good idea of the things that they should and should not be doing. It’s easier to leave them in a crate for an extended period of time. However, this does not mean that they should be left there alone for more than a few hours.

It’s okay to let a dog stay in the crate while they are sleeping. They won’t notice being alone while they are resting. But once the morning comes, it’s a good idea to let them out in order to exercise, play, and do their business. This will give them plenty of time to interact with you in order to let them know you’re still there.

Where Should I Keep My Dog While At Work?

8 hours is a very long time to be cooped up in a crate. It’s never a good idea to leave your dog in a crate for more than a few hours at a time. If you absolutely have no choice but to do so, you can have a friend, relative, or dog sitter look in on them every few hours. This will reduce their anxiety and feelings of separation.

If you can afford to leave your dog at a pet day care center, this may be a good idea. If not, you can maybe check back in with them during your lunch hour. A few minutes out of the crate to stretch out, get a snack, and do their business will be much appreciated. A few minutes is enough to break up the tedium of their crate stay.

Crating your dog for an extended period of time is only viable if you really have no other choice. If you have the chance to work from home, then you won’t even need to consider this option. It really isn’t a good long term solution.