5 Essential Tips for Teaching Your Puppy to Be Home Alone Successfully

Puppy separation anxiety is something most new puppy parents worry about, and it's true that it can be a challenge to leave your puppy home alone, especially at first. But here's something many don't realize: puppies aren't naturally wired for isolation. In fact, young mammals are designed to stay close to their caregivers until they reach maturity – it's a survival instinct!

Good news for worried puppy parents! As a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, I often see normal puppy behavior mistaken for anxiety. Most separation issues in puppies are just part of their natural development. With patience and the right training, your pup will learn to be comfortable alone. Remember, it's a journey – and you're doing great!

Puppy Home Alone Tips for Separation Anxiety Cavalier puppy lying on a gray sheet

Here's 5 tips to help your puppy develop confidence with alone time

1. Start With Baby Steps

Don't rush into leaving your puppy alone. Begin with micro-separations – walk to the door and back, or step outside briefly. Make these experiences positive by tossing treats.

Remember: if your puppy shows distress, you're moving too fast. You shouldn't expect to be able to leave your puppy right away, they really do need you 24/7 as babies.

Puppy Home Alone Tips for Separation Anxiety Dachshund puppy and their shadow on a yellow background

2. Let Them Be Your Shadow

Allow your puppy to follow you everywhere – yes, even to the bathroom! This builds security and helps them understand that many human activities are actually quite boring. When they learn this, they'll be less anxious about missing out when you're gone.

Puppy Home Alone Tips for Separation Anxiety red and white Doodle puppy sitting on a gray chair

3. Create Positive Associations

Make every separation exercise positive, and train with a crate or playpen. Use high-value treats and ensure your puppy is relaxed and engaged. If they're too stressed to eat treats, that's a clear signal to take a step back.

Puppy Home Alone Tips for Separation Anxiety Cream Poodle mix puppy squeezing through a gap in the door

4. Understand Their Development

Remember that puppies aren't developmentally ready for significant alone time until they approach maturity (around 10+ months). This isn't a training failure – it's biology! Young puppies are programmed to stay close to their caregivers for survival.

Puppy Home Alone Tips for Separation Anxiety Basenji puppy cuddled up with a teddy on a gray blanket.

5. Build General Confidence

Focus on overall confidence building through play, training, and positive experiences, use puzzle toys and puppy Kongs to teach them they can do things on their own, and it's fun!

A secure and confident puppy will naturally develop independence at their own pace, it's all a part of growing up and learning about the world.

Remember: meeting your puppy's need for company now won't create dependency – it builds the security they need to become independent later. Take it slow, be patient, and celebrate small victories!

How do you know if you're progressing well? Well, your puppy remains calm and engaged during separation exercises, if they show signs of distress like crying, scratching, or refusing treats, scale back your training.

By following these tips and respecting your puppy's developmental timeline, you'll help them build the confidence they need for successful alone time in the future. There is no harm in reaching out to a Pet sitter, Dogwalker, or Doggy Daycare to help you raise your puppy and look after them when you need to go out or run errands.

Want to learn more? Learn the signs of dog separation anxiety, or how about finding the best Kong toy for your puppy.

If you want help with your puppy's separation, get in touch or book a call.