Questions to Ask Before Leaving Your Dog Alone at Night

When contemplating whether or not to leave your dog alone overnight, there are a few considerations you should keep in mind beforehand:

• Does your dog regularly spend extended periods alone? If you work from home most of the time and your dog is used to you being there a lot, it can be cruel to suddenly be away for hours and hours. More to the point, it can be difficult for your pup to hold their bladder for that long. If, on the other hand, your furbaby is used to you being gone all day at work and is usually pretty relaxed about it, you may be able to leave them alone at night.

If your dog is used to being at home alone then you shouldn’t worry too much. However, if you work from home and are usually always with your pup, then you might want to think twice. Dogs that are not regularly alone may develop separation anxiety or they may not be able to hold their bladder for too long.

Read more: Puppy Obedience Training at Home  

• Do you usually spend time at home at night? If you usually snuggle at night with your dog and your dog sleeps with you, they may become very distressed and upset if you're suddenly not there one night. On the other hand, if your dog spends their night in a crate, it may be easier for them to adjust.

• What is your dog's temperament and breed? Some dogs are more prone to separation anxiety than others. It's important to understand your pup’s temperament and personality before leaving them alone overnight.

• Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety or a medical condition? Some dogs have medical conditions or experience distress and anxiety when you're not there. If this is the case, you should not leave them alone for long periods of time. The best way is to hire a pet sitter or get a friend to stay with your dog at night.

• Is your dog prone to acting out? If leaving your dog alone for a short amount of time results in ruined carpets, chewed-up shoes, and scratched doors, then it may not be a good idea to trust your pup alone by himself all night long.
• Would you be okay with leaving your dog alone at night? It's not just your furbaby you need to worry about. Do you feel guilty for leaving your dog alone overnight? If you do, you may end up being so worried about your pup that you don’t enjoy your night out anyway.

• How long will you be away? You don't want to be leaving a dog alone for 24 hours or more because they will need to go potty and go out for some exercise. If you need to be away for longer, hire a sitter or get a friend to care for your dog.

Make Sure Your Dogs Feels Comfortable and Safe

If you have asked yourself these questions and feel that leaving your dog alone overnight is okay, then make sure they’re ready for an extended time alone. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your dog stays cozy while you're away:

• Feed your dog before you go and fill their water bowl. Perhaps an auto-fill water bowl can help keep your dog hydrated at all times. 

• Take your dog out to relieve themselves right before you head out. You'll also want to ensure he has a bowel movement if possible.

• Get a cozy place for your dog to sleep. If your pup is used to sleeping with you, keep your bedroom door open. Otherwise, have their dog bed ready or get him situated with a cozy mat in the crate.

• Make sure your pup has plenty of toys and activities to keep them entertained. Kongs filled with treats or peanut butter can keep them busy for a while, as do safe chew treats.  

• If your dog is prone to anxiety, you might want to invest in a swaddle or thunder jacket to apply gentle pressure that keeps dogs calm.

Read more: Best Pet Supplies for Separation Anxiety in Dogs 

Finding a Doggie Pet Sitter

If you know your pup struggles with anxiety or has a medical condition that prevents them from safely being alone overnight, there are other options you can consider. Many veterinarians, pet stores, and privately-owned doggie daycares allow you to kennel your dog overnight. If you already frequent any of these businesses, your dog will be familiar with the workers there, making them less prone to anxiety.

Consider, however, that if you put your dog in a kennel, they may be alone at night in a crate, anyway. How well your dog responds to being left alone overnight is a very personalized experience. One dog may be perfectly fine with it and another may be extremely distressed.

Another option if you want to spare yourself the expense of putting your dog in a kennel overnight is to find someone closer to home who is willing to stay with your pooch or at least check in. You could ask a friend or family member or even a close neighbor. The benefit of asking someone you know is that your dog might already be comfortable with that person. Your pup will be less anxious having a familiar person taking care of them.

Keep Tabs on Your Furbaby

If you do decide to leave your dog alone during the day or at night, make sure you have a way of checking up on your furbaby. One of the biggest dangers of a dog being left alone is that in the case of an emergency, they have no way of leaving the house to get help.

Furbo Dog Camera is a two-way communication system with an HD and night vision camera so you can keep an eye on your dog remotely, day and night. You can dispense treats, talk to your dog,  and even take pictures. It's the perfect way to keep in touch with your furbaby even if you need to be away from them.

Real Life Furbo Testimonials:

Read more: Dog Sitter v.s. Dog Walker

Read more: How to Help Dogs with Separation Anxiety