Planning a long workday or weekend getaway and wondering if your dog can handle being home alone with an automatic feeder? This episode tackles one of the most common questions pet owners face, and the answer is more nuanced than you might expect. Steven Whitlow draws on two decades of dog training experience to walk you through everything from assessing your individual dog's readiness to setting up a foolproof feeding system. Whether you're covering a 12-hour shift or a short trip, you'll learn exactly how to evaluate your specific situation and prepare your dog safely.

• Adult dogs ages two to seven with no health issues can typically handle eight to ten hours alone with an automatic feeder, but puppies under six months should never be left longer than their age in months plus one hour—a three-month-old maxes out at four hours.
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