How Long Can Pitbulls Be Left Alone?

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When most people realize they are lonely, they adopt a dog to keep them company. However, they may leave it at home alone for certain periods due to unavoidable circumstances, such as going to work. For some dog breeds, this can turn out to be a bad idea. Let me look at how long can Pitbulls be left alone.

How Long Can Pitbulls Be Left Alone?

Pitbulls can be left alone for up to six hours if trained. If they haven’t received training, you can leave Pitbulls alone for no more than four hours. For Pitbull puppies, two hours is the maximum they can be left alone.

A close-up black and white Pitbull lying on a red couch in the living room

Leaving Pitbulls alone for extended periods can lead to negative behavior. However, if they are trained and have adjusted to being left alone, you do not have to worry. If they’re not trained, it is better to leave them with someone you trust or take them to doggy daycare so they do not suffer the consequences of being left alone.

Consequences of Leaving Your Pitbull Alone

Leaving your untrained Pitty for a long time on its own comes with several consequences. As you will see, most are unpleasant.

Lack of Social Interaction

Pitbulls are social creatures, and when they are left alone for long periods, they cannot meet this need. When your dog is around other people and animals, it can interact with its environment and socialize properly.

If it is alone without any social interactions, it may develop antisocial behavior, making it difficult to be around other people or animals. It will not be confident, impacting how it interacts with other dogs. Activities that should be fun, such as going to the dog park, can be a nightmare.

Disobedience

You know how you try to do everything right when you want to impress someone, so they are not disappointed in you, right? Then they do something, and you no longer want to impress them. That is the same with this breed of dogs being left alone for too long. The dog will stop trying to impress you.

When it has stopped trying to impress you, you will notice that it no longer follows your cues or commands, doesn’t come when you call it or refuses to follow your lead. All of these are examples of your furry friend being disobedient. Some dogs will forget everything you have taught them.

With disobedience, the solution is in training. You have to ensure that your Pitbull receives thorough training, and you can reinforce its positive behavior to get it to behave by giving it its favorite treats.

Lack of Mental Stimulation

One way to mentally stimulate your dog is by teaching it tricks and commands. When practiced, your dog will grasp the concept, and you can teach it many more things. However, when you spend a long time away from it, the brain stimulation will be inconsistent, making it easy to forget what you had been taught.

There are several ways you can ensure that your Pitty is mentally stimulated when you are away. They include the following:

  • Make a DIY busy bucket for it to dig through and discover hidden treats and toys.
  • Organize a scavenger hunt, and before you leave, tell it to ‘search” or ‘find.”
  • Ensure there is a place that’s cozy where it can sit and look at what is happening outdoors.
  • Buy interactive toys for it to play with while you’re gone.

When you come back, recognize what it did and reward it for it.

A white Pitbull sleeping on a brown sofa in the living room

Separation Anxiety

When left alone, Pitbulls can suffer from separation anxiety. It can be so bad that it stops eating or participating in activities that used to execute it before.

Symptoms of separation anxiety include:

  • Excessive barking and howling
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Destructive behavior, such as chewing furniture
  • Pooping and peeing in the house
  • Excessive panting and drooling
  • Escaping from pens and crates

If it displays any of the symptoms above, find a solution for each, such as chew toys, so it doesn’t chew furniture, a strong gate to prevent it from escaping from a room, progressive desensitization, and physical and mental stimulation. You may have to consult a canine behavior expert to advise you on the best methods that will work for your furry friend.

Related Questions

Similar questions you may have are answered below.

Can Leaving My Pitbull Alone Cause It To Become Sick?

Yes, leaving your Pitbull alone can cause it to become sick, as it can suffer from anxiety and depression.  Your dog can also eat or drink something poisonous while you are away that can cause it to become sick.

Can I Leave My Pitbull Alone With Children?

You can leave your Pitbull alone with children if it is properly trained and socialized. If the children are young, it is important to ensure that all interactions with your Pitbull are supervised.

Conclusion

Pitbulls love interacting with people around them; however, you may have to leave it alone at some point. You must take all the necessary precautions to ensure you are leaving it in a safe environment and that it will not suffer adverse consequences associated with leaving it alone for a long time.