Where to leave your dog when you go to work? – 2026 Guide!

For most dogs, the best place to stay while you’re at work is a safe, dog-proofed room or pen at home, combined with a midday potty and play break from a dog walker, pet sitter, friend, or family member. If you’re gone for long hours or your dog has lots of energy, doggy daycare is often the better choice.

Leaving your dog at home all day while you’re at work can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Here is a guide to the best options, depending on how long you’re away and what your dog needs.

The best places to leave your dog when you go to work

Every dog has different needs. For instance, a young dog may need to be exercised more frequently than an older dog. Where you live will also play a role in finding the best solution for your particular situation. Before deciding where to leave your dog, consider these things first:

• How many hours are you away?
• Does your dog have a toilet at home?
• Does your dog have a lot of energy?

When you’re away longer than 12 hours

Being left alone for 12 hours or more is far too long for any dog. Even though some adult dogs can physically hold their bladders for that long, it’s uncomfortable and unhealthy, and most vets recommend giving adult dogs a chance to relieve themselves at least every 6 to 8 hours. Puppies, seniors, and dogs with health issues need breaks even more often. If you’re going to be away for a long workday, you’ll need to find someone to take your dog out for a walk or potty break during the day. There are a few different ways you can do this:

Purchase a doggy toilet: If you are away for long hours, your dog needs a place to relieve itself. There are several doggy toilets on the market that allow your dog to do their business indoors. They’re a useful backup, but they don’t replace the exercise and company a midday visit provides.

Hire a professional pet sitter: A professional pet sitter will come to your home to take care of your dog while you’re away. They will usually stay for 30 minutes to an hour and take your dog out for a walk, play with them, and make sure they have food and water.

Hire a dog walker: A dog walker is someone who takes dogs out for walks during the day. Many walk a few different dogs at a time, so it’s important to make sure that your dog is okay with other dogs, or to ask for solo walks. If a teenager in the family wants the job, see how old you have to be to dog walk.

Friends or family: If you have a friend or family member who is willing to take your dog out for a walk during the day, that’s great! Just be sure to reimburse them for their time and effort.

Take your dog to doggy daycare: Doggy daycare is a great option if your dog needs a lot of exercise and socialization. Most doggy daycares have indoor and outdoor spaces for dogs to play, and they also have staff members who are trained in dog behavior. Some dogs come home a little out of sorts; we explain why in dog acting different after daycare.

When you’re away for less than 12 hours

If you’re only going to be away for a few hours, there are a few different options for where to leave your dog. If your workday plus commute runs past 6 to 8 hours, still try to arrange a midday break using one of the options above. Make sure all of these options are big enough for your dog to move around, and that there is plenty of ventilation:

The living room: If your dog is well-behaved, you can leave them in the living room with a toy or bone to keep them occupied. Make sure to put away any valuables or breakable items, and block off any areas that you don’t want your dog to have access to.

The kitchen: If your dog is housetrained, you can leave them in the kitchen with food and water. Make sure to put away any poisonous plants or cleaning supplies, and block off any areas that you don’t want your dog to have access to.

The Bedroom: If your dog is calm, you can leave them in the bedroom with a toy or bone to keep them occupied. Make sure to put away any valuables or breakable items, and block off any areas that you don’t want your dog to have access to.

When you have a dog with high energy needs

When you have a puppy or a dog that requires a lot of exercise, it can be tough to leave at home. With so much energy your dog most likely will tear up your place while you’re away. If this is the case, we recommend the same options as when you're away for more than 12 hours. These are:

• A professional pet sitter
• A dog walker
• Doggy daycare

Hiring a professional pet sitter or dog walker is the best way to make sure your dog is getting the exercise they need. If you choose doggy daycare, make sure to tour the facility beforehand and meet with the staff to make sure it’s a good fit for your dog.

8 Tips for leaving your dog home alone

Here are a few tips to make sure your dog is comfortable and safe while you’re away:

1Leave them with a full stomach

Feed your dog breakfast before you leave so they aren’t hungry and restless all day. Ideally, walk them first and feed them afterwards, since vigorous exercise right after a big meal raises the risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency, in large, deep-chested breeds.

2Walk them before you leave

A good walk before you leave will help your dog to release some energy and hopefully make them sleepy. This will help them to stay calm while you’re away. Additionally, their bladder will be emptied so you won’t have to worry about accidents.

3Give them plenty of water

Dogs can get dehydrated quickly, so make sure they have plenty of water to drink while you’re gone. Leave a large bowl of fresh water (or two, in case one gets knocked over) in a spill-proof or weighted bowl. On hot days, a few ice cubes in the bowl will keep it cool, but don’t rely on a frozen bottle, since your dog can’t drink it until it melts.

4Provide them with a comfy bed

Dogs feel more secure when they have their own space to sleep in. If you don’t have a dog bed, leave them with a blanket or towel that smells like you. This will comfort them while you’re away.

5Leave them with some toys

Dogs get bored when they’re left alone, so make sure to leave them with a few toys to keep them entertained. Kongs are a great option because you can stuff them with food and freeze them overnight. This will give your dog something to do and keep their minds occupied.

6Turn on some white noise

White noise can help to mask any outside noises that might scare or startle your dog.

7Create a safe space

When you leave your dog home alone, make sure they have a safe space to stay in. This could be a crate, exercise pen, or even just a room that’s been baby-proofed. This way, you can rest assured knowing that your dog is in a safe and secure environment.

If you use a crate, keep it to a few hours at a time for adult dogs (and less for puppies). A full workday in a crate is too long; a dog-proofed room or exercise pen gives them space to stretch, drink, and move around.

8Watch for signs of separation anxiety

Some dogs struggle being left alone, no matter where you leave them. Signs include constant barking or howling, destroying doors and windows, accidents in a house-trained dog, and frantic greetings. If you notice these, start with short absences and build up gradually, and talk to your vet or a qualified behaviorist, as separation anxiety rarely improves on its own.

5 Tips when looking for a dog sitter/walker

1Ask your friends and relatives

One of the best ways to find a good dog sitter or walker is by word of mouth. Ask your relatives, friends, and maybe even co-workers if they know anyone who can dog sit/walk. This is a great way to find someone you can trust.

2Check out online review sites

There are a variety of websites that allow users to leave reviews for businesses. These can be a great resource when you’re trying to find a reputable dog sitter or walker. An easy way to find reviews of a dog walking business are Google business reviews.

3Meet with the potential candidates

When you have a few potential candidates, set up a meeting with each of them. This will give you a chance to get to know them better and see if they are a good fit for your needs.

4Always ask for references

Any reputable dog sitter or walker should be able to provide you with a list of references. These are people who can attest to their character and work ethic.

5Trust your gut

Ultimately, you need to choose the person who you feel most comfortable with. If something feels off, it’s probably best to move on to someone else.

Conclusion

Leaving your dog at home doesn’t have to be stressful. There are plenty of options for where to leave your dog while you’re out to work. With this guide, you can find the best place for your furry friend and rest assured knowing that they’re being taken care of. And on days you work from home, see our ways to keep your dog entertained while you work from home.