How long should I leave my puppy?

Did you start with just leaving her for 30 mins or so and gradually build up?

So long as she has access to water, toys, a comfy bed and doesn’t howl the whole time I’d say 3 hours is fine.

Leave the radio on and consider using a camera for your own piece of mind x

Sounds like another half an hour will be fine.

It’s really good that she doesn’t appear to have separation anxiety so imo you’ve done really well. It’s really important for dogs to be ok with being left alone. Unfortunately my current dog is a bit of a lockdown dog and has never been left in the house on her own for very long, my previous dogs were all pretty independent. My last dog had access to a dog pen and I used to leave her for hours ( something in retrospect that I regret).

I think, because all this dog owning malarky is new to me, I just want to do the right thing for her.
The analogy of it being the same as having a toddler is very accurate isn't it!
It seems from what you are saying 4 hours would be ok to leave her.

When we puppy walked for the Guide Dogs association, we were told not to leave the pups for longer than four hours and preferably less than that.

Not to sound over-dramatic, but is your garden 100% secure?

DH’s friend had 2 valuable dogs stolen a couple of years ago, when he’d just popped back into the house to use the loo! He never saw them again, and we think they’d been stolen to order, so they’d’ probably have a good life wherever they are - his children were distraught.

dustyangel

When we puppy walked for the Guide Dogs association, we were told not to leave the pups for longer than four hours and preferably less than that.

Yes that was what the RSPCA said when we adopted our previous dog.

If the animal would regularly be left alone for over four hours they wouldn't let you have a dog, but they would let you have a cat.

The one thing I worry about retrospectively with my last dog who I left for quite a while because she had an outside pen is that one day she was stung by a wasp and reacted very badly. I look back and am relieved that she was never stung by one when I left her. I’m currently looking after my daughter’s dog but am coming home for @4 hours each day to work on my house and she’s absolutely fine. Mind you she’s a funny little thing and hides under chairs etc and I ‘m always thinking I’ve lost her.

When I go out my dog looks at me as if to say, " Are you really leaving me at home?" She's very pleased when I return! The absolute maximum time I would leave her alone is 3 hours.

We gradually built up and now leave our dog for up to 4 hours, though once when we got stuck in traffic it was nearer five. She seems fine with it.
When we’re going out I say “Be a good girl.” She goes to, or stays on her usual lookout spot and that’s it.
The only issue there’s ever been is when I inadvertently forgot to move the tissue box!

I can leave my adult dog for up to 4 hours and luckily have a neighbour who can step in if it’s longer. I look after her dog too do don’t feel I’m imposing.

Thank you for your really useful replies. It seems 4 hours is about the right time to leave her. x