We have, until most recently, always had two dogs to keep each other company. Dogs are social creatures, pack animals they do better with a "family" then by them self. I know when we lost one of dogs (cancer, untreatable) the survivor went into a spiral - we tried leaving her home alone with toys, food, water, tv on, access to the the outdoors - but her behavior went down the toilet. now that she spends the day at Grandma and Grandpa's where she is around two cats and at least one person her behavior has returned to her usual happy self. Although many appear to have well adjusted lives with a "working" human family - a family that spends 8 to 10 hours a day away I have to wonder if that is just that blind loyalty that dogs have or if they are really "happy" spending so much time alone. I have heard and read differing opinions on what goes through a dog's mind when left alone. There seems to be a majority that in working families (kids off to school both parents working) two dogs are better than one - they provide the stimuli that both need to stay active and "happy" and healthy (mentally and physically). Dogs who are left alone tend to develop behavioral issues more often than dogs who are with a "pack" all the time. Further dogs who are alone tend to sleep more and not exercise as much as two dogs together or a dog what has humans to walk and play with it often.

from the dog's point of view? or yours?

We lock our dog up in a crate when he's not being directly supervised, as he's not house trained yet and can be very destructive. We never leave him in there for more than 8 hours, and only that long when we're asleep.

The first thought I have is HOW LONG can I successfully and comfortably HOLD IT, if I am eating and drinking normal healthy amount of food and water (or coffee). My goal, throughout the 30 years I've worked with training animals, mostly dogs and horses, a few exotics..is to always set the animal up for success in DOING what I want them to do. Potty issues are real, even for the best trained dog. If this is a NEW situation that you are entering into, the change in routine CAN ALSO cause potty accidents. Animals thrive on routine, change the routine and sometimes all bets are off! (more with exotics, but also with dogs and horses and other domestic animals.) Emotional and mental stimulation is also a consideration here. If your dog is very social and happy to play and know other animals, you may well want to consider some sort of companion animal for him/her. Not all "single dogs" appreciate us bringing in another dog...some do not want to live with another dog at all, because the human family is their accepted "PACK." Keep this in mind, because you know your dog best. Some would accept a puppy, some not, some might do well with a slightly older dog who is very social and friendly. Some would do great with a CAT, who is not overwhelmingly afraid of dogs...or a kitten who can learn to enjoy doggie company. I used this when I lost one of my older dogs and the remaining one became depressed, wouldn't eat and began to have vast potty accidents after Pal's death. I got Maggie a kitten, they bonded within about 48 hours and all the "problems" went immediately away! Go figure! If getting a second animal is not an option for you to consider, buy a KONG and stuff it..nonfat yogurt, a dab of peanut butter or a spoon of apple sauce, some bits of kibble stirred in or cut up bits of human grade beef jerky (plain please!) and freeze that over night (I usually suggest having two of them so that one is always frozen and ready to go). This treat/toy will last a number of hours during the day and provide pleasure for the dog. Keep music playing to provide "white noise" in helping to block outside sounds that might encourage the dog to start barking. I generally try NOT to leave our dogs home alone for more than 6 hours without a chance to go potty outside. However, they have successfully held it up to 8 hours on occasion. We are rather lucky, our schedules overlap in ways that allow for this most of the time.

IS this every day or some work days? If your dog gets used to it, you can leave him home for I'd say up to 8 hours but it should be everyday. It doesn't really matter if he has other dog company. either, because once a dog has a pack and you or the other humans are his pack leaders, it's just not the proper thing for a pack leader to do, leave the followers alone without their leader. It's not that dogs get lonely, that's a human emotion. It's more like the are missing their pack 'center' or 'stabilizer'. They may not know what to do with out you. So to help them stay by themselves you should do what you can to avoid adding to their stress levels. First thing, is you must walk them and burn off some of their morning energy. That will help you avoid many behavioral problems and the dog will do it's 'business' for you too. When you walk your dog, walk as pack leader either with dog by your side or behind you but do not let the dog roam in front. You are trying to teach the dog that you are leader and you are in charge and you can do so in this simple fashion. You go through doors and gates first, you lead first. Pack leaders never do things last. When you bring home your dog after the walk it has now been put in a frame of mind that you are in charge and what you say goes. If you choose to leave, the dog will more likely accept it. When you do get ready to leave, don't get the dog excited. Don't talk excit4edly or in a high pitched voice, don't let it jump up on you in excitement. Put it in a crate if you wish (that's my favorite method) or in the yard, whatever you choose to do. Just quietly get your things and leave. No verbal bye byes. Keep everything quiet and calm. most dogs will get used to being quiet on their own if you are a good calm pack leader. Crating is best because the dog treats it as it's den and knows it's "quiet time".

10-12 hours.

no more than 7 hours- 8 absolute tops- but thats specieal cirumstances