How do I build up alone time gradually?

A workable ladder looks something like 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, and finally a full day, with each step repeated at least twice before moving on. Dogs with no history of distress often move through the early steps quickly and can slow down once absences pass the 1 to 2 hour mark.

A dog is ready for the next step when it settles within a few minutes of you leaving, based on what you hear at the door or see on a camera, and shows no lasting distress such as excessive panting or pacing for the whole session.

If a dog struggles at a new length, drop back to the previous comfortable duration for several more sessions rather than abandoning the plan entirely. Illness, a house move, or a change in routine can also temporarily shrink a dog's tolerance, so rebuilding gradually again is normal rather than a sign of failure.

If a dog plateaus at a particular duration for more than 2 or 3 weeks despite repeated attempts, it is often more productive to hold steady at that length, focusing on making it consistently calm and comfortable, rather than continuing to push for more. A solid, genuinely relaxed plateau is a better foundation to build from later than a shaky, inconsistent duration reached before the dog was truly ready for it.