How long can I leave my dog alone? It depends on the dog and any health issues. Typically, I walk my dog every 6 hours. I live in an apartment so I don't have a back yard. It is not fair to the dog to make it hold it's bladder for longer than that. As the bladder fills up, it becomes painful and harder to hold it. Don't make your pet suffer....take it out at least every 4-6 hours. If you can't be there, hire a Rover pet sitter.