Leaving your dog alone
How do I start alone time training with a new dog?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
In the first days after bringing a dog home, resist the urge to be together constantly and instead build in short, calm separations from day one, even if you are mostly home. Begin with a minute or two in another room, add a predictable cue such as picking up your keys, and only extend to real departures once those short gaps go smoothly.
Why the first week sets the tone
A new dog that spends every waking moment glued to you for the first week or two often finds a sudden return to normal absences much harder than one that had brief, calm separations built in from the start, even while you were still home most of the time.
Practicing while you are still around
Leaving a room to make coffee, taking a shower with the door shut, or stepping into the garden for a few minutes all count as practice, even on days you are not actually leaving the house. These small gaps teach a new dog that separation is normal and temporary, not a sign something is wrong.
Introducing real departures
Once short separations at home are calm, start with genuine departures under 10 minutes, gradually extending as described for general alone time training. New rescue dogs in particular often benefit from an extra week or two at each stage compared with a dog that has always lived in the home.
A sample first two weeks
A reasonable plan for the first fortnight is a few days of in home separations only, followed by genuine departures starting at 2 to 5 minutes for several days, then 10 to 15 minutes, always paired with a calm departure and a stuffed chew. By the end of two weeks, many dogs with no significant anxiety are comfortably managing 30 minutes to an hour, giving you a solid, tested foundation before pushing toward longer, more demanding durations.
Key takeaways
- Build in short, calm separations from the first days home, even while you are still around most of the time.
- Everyday moments like showering or stepping into the garden count as useful practice.
- New or rescue dogs often need extra time at each stage compared with a dog raised in the home.