How long is it reasonable to eave a puppy for?

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

I mean a 3-4 mth old puppy. If you need to go shopping and grab a coffee on way back. Say 2.5 hrs. Is that acceptable? I don't have a puppy but just weighing up practicalities in the event of..........

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

Leave obviously

[thekingfisher]

when that agel I left ours for no more than 2 hrs crated and we had worked up to that duration as she waas Very clingy.....

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

I would have done 2 hours max at that age, ideally a bit less. Now she's an adult it's 4 hours tops . Others probably have different views.

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

OK, thanks peeps. . I want to know i can 'do' the puppy thing before I embark on it

[fishie]

Also have different people do the leaving - I was always going out all day to work and ds to school so puppy got very used to waving us off but dh works from home and so the first few times he left the dog alone it caused massive upset. It would have been better if he'd gone out and left the dog with me first I think.

And also if you aren't using a crate you need a safe place for the dog to be. Ours decided this was the sofa! Not any more he is too big.

[scrappydoodah]

It depends on the dog. Some get very upset, others don't, so play it by ear. One of my pups liked 'me' time, and still does. The other didn't, and still doesn't.

[ChickensThinkYouCanGetStuffed]

Our pup (6 months now) can be left for up to 3 hours. But he isn't crated, he has the run of the kitchen and a chew/a kong to occupy him. I also tend to time it for when he's had a walk and will sleep for at least an hour.

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

This is really good info. I wouldn't be going out every day, it's just I donw wanna be stressing every time i leave the house to buy some food, meet Mum for lunch etc. I rarely go out for 3 hours anyway so it probably won;t occur v often but this is all encouraging for me so thanks :-)

[NuggetsForTeaAgain]

so what would you do if you had a stressy puppy with anxiety?