March 25, 2026, 2:51 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Many dog owners know the feeling of guilt: Work calls, appointments are scheduled—and the dog stays home alone for several hours. But how long is that really okay? Is there a legal limit? And how can you tell if your dog is truly relaxed or suffering internally? PETBOOK spoke with dog trainer Katharina Marioth about these questions. She explains why rigid time limits are not helpful, which warning signs owners should take seriously, and why a second dog usually doesn’t solve the problem.
What the Legal Regulation Says
How long can a dog actually stay alone? A seemingly simple question—to which, according to dog trainer Katharina Marioth, there is no simple answer. “You can’t generalize,” she clarifies right from the start. If anything, there is only a very rough guideline: “Until the next sanitary pressure.” In other words, until the dog needs to relieve itself.
In fact, there is a legal regulation. It mentions four to six hours, after which the dog should be “freed” again. But Marioth views such time limits critically. How should this be monitored? Who would record it? And who would enforce it if necessary? For her, it’s crucial not to rigidly watch the clock but to look at the situation individually. She advocates for approaching it “in partnership and, in quotes, asking the dog: How long can you manage?”
“He Just Thinks He’ll Die If Left Alone”
Age and health play a central role. The younger a dog is, the less it can stay alone—and as it gets older, the same applies. A puppy should not simply be left to its own devices. “It has to be trained very, very cleanly, step by step,” emphasizes Marioth. For a young dog, being alone can feel existentially threatening—”he just thinks he’ll die if left alone.”
But caution is also advised with seniors. If bladder muscles weaken, age-related gastrointestinal issues, pain, or even early dementia occur, longer periods alone are “an absolute no-go.” In such cases, the legal four-to-six-hour rule is of little help.
The Stress Level Is Key
Whether a dog can stay alone well is mainly shown through relaxation. If he remains calm in his spot when his owner gets dressed, maybe even curls up and continues to doze, that’s a good sign. Likewise, if you come home and find the apartment as you left it.
It’s a different story if furniture is destroyed, doors are scratched, or items are chewed. The often humorously portrayed social media videos of “exploded” sofas are anything but harmless. Such destruction is not malice but an expression of “incredible stress.”
Howling or persistent barking, reported by neighbors, also indicates problems. Similarly, if an otherwise healthy adult dog regularly relieves itself in the apartment. A single accident can happen—but if such incidents become frequent, “I should be concerned,” says Marioth.
Dogs Aren’t Made to Stay Alone
Regularly staying alone for eight hours or more is problematic, she believes. “The dog suffers, to put it bluntly. Dogs aren’t made for that.” Of course, she knows that life circumstances can change: separations, job changes, and the end of home office rules. But then solutions are needed.
Her wish: involve the community. Neighbors, friends, or family could help by taking a walk at midday. Perhaps a longer lunch break could be arranged with the employer. A good dog care service or a small dog walking group could also be an option.
These Breeds Have More Difficulty Staying Alone
Two to three hours alone can be beneficial for many dogs. Some even enjoy “being left alone and being able to sleep and doze in peace.” But eight or nine hours should remain the absolute exception—”like New Year’s Eve, once a year,” not the everyday routine. Because dogs are social creatures. They need social contact, exercise, and interaction—not just the chance to relieve themselves.
The breed can also play a role—though not a rigid one. “Yes and no,” Marioth answers when asked if some dogs can generally stay alone better than others. Independently bred dogs, such as many hunting dogs or guard dogs, often cope better with it—provided the workload and conditions are right.
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A Second Dog Is Not a Solution
Very work- and people-oriented breeds, on the other hand, often have greater difficulties. Australian shepherds, border collies, or Belgian shepherds are “usually not so well-suited” to staying alone for long periods. Many companion dogs, especially poodles and poodle mixes, also tend to struggle more. However, Marioth emphasizes that there are always exceptions. Much depends on upbringing and prior experiences. Dogs with traumatic experiences related to being alone or many rescue dogs that bond very closely with their humans can present special challenges.
A common thought is: Then we’ll just get a second dog so the first one isn’t alone anymore. But it’s not that simple. “If that worked, the animal shelters would be much emptier,” says Marioth. A second dog doesn’t automatically replace the human as an important social partner.
Separation Anxiety or Lack of Training?
It’s also crucial to distinguish between genuine separation anxiety and lack of training. In cases of severe anxiety, medication support in collaboration with veterinarians may be necessary. If the dog simply never learned to stay alone, it’s primarily a training issue. In both cases, a second dog doesn’t automatically solve the underlying problem.
In the end, Marioth believes one thing is most important: Not the clock, but the dog itself should set the standard.
About the Expert
Katharina Marioth is the founder of the brand Stadthundetraining and the KEML principle. She is an IHK- and government-certified dog trainer and behavioral assessor for dangerous dogs in the state of Berlin. In her daily business, she works closely with veterinarians, scientists, and other specialists on dog-related topics. With her knowledge and skills, she secured the title of Dog Trainer of the Year 2023 in the Sat.1 show “Der Hundetrainer-Champion.”