When is my puppy ready to be left at home alone?

Question
   I have a 5 month old maltese and I just started sending him to doggie
day care (Skip's Place on W.75th and Broadway/Amsterdam) since I
have to work during the summer. He seems to like going to day care, but it
is quite expensive and I am currently a graduate student. I was
wondering how to tell when he would be ready to stay at home. I
occasionally leave him at home in his crate for 4-5 hours a few times a
week. But I am unsure if he is ready to be at home all day. I have found a
dog walker who could walk him twice during the day when I'm at work. And I
have a confined space in my kitchen that I could leave him in while I'm
gone. Do you think it's a good idea if I start tapering off the days
(taking him to day care every other day and leaving him at home the days
in-between) he is left at home alone now or wait until he is 6 or 7
months? Thank you, in advance, for your help and time!

All best,
Michelle  

Answer
Hi Michelle,

At 5 months old, your puppy can safely be left at home for 4-5 hours. During your work days, you will need to have someone go to your home at least once (lunch time is good) to walk the puppy, something you've already said you can arrange. It sounds like you're cleared for take off!

Have the dog walker take him for a nice long walk. Depending on when you come home, one good walk may be all that's needed.

You've said you've been working on crate training, that's great! I feel crating is the safest way of containing a dog, who otherwise can't be trusted with the run of the house.

Since you already crate the puppy, you do not have to taper off the doggy day care. Your puppy is just staying home after all, and not going to an unfamiliar environment. Puppy's and dogs are very social animals, that's what your dog probably likes most about doggy day care. Is there a special area in a park near you, where your puppy can meet other dogs, and run free? If you let your dog have different social interactions, then you do not have to fear that your dog will be unhappy. That is assuming your puppy enjoys meeting other dogs and people!

Make sure you take your puppy out for a long walk or a good run (if possible) before you leave him crated in the morning, and again the first thing upon your return at the end of the day. Be consistent and establish a schedule.

A radio or television playing in the background may help to calm the dog when it is alone in its crate.

Have some special toys that you only give the puppy when it's being crated. A "Kong" is great for this purpose because you can fill it with different treats, so it's always something new and exciting. Rotating the crate toys will also help keep them interesting and fun. This will also encourage the puppy to enjoy being in his crate.

Because the puppy will be crated most of the day, if he is house trained do not crate him at night, as that would be an excessive amount of time to crate a puppy.
If he isn't house trained yet, then securing the puppy in a room would be preferred over crating.

You might consider taking your puppy to an obedience class. Even if your dog has great manors and totally wonderful, training ensures that you will spend time with your dog. To train your dog, you have to work with it, (preferably every day). Your dog craves time with you! The more time you spend with your dog...the more time you will discover about his unique characteristics.
Training makes your dog smarter. A trained dog pays more attention to the world around him and is more attentive to humans. Basic obedience training  good on many levels, especially if you are concerned with the dog becoming bored during the day.

Don't worry, your puppy will be fine!

Good luck,
Patti