What to Do With Your German Shepherd While You’re at Work

[Malakai The Great]

One of the biggest worries new shepherd owners have is this: “What do I do with my GSD while I’m at work?”

German Shepherds are intelligent, active, and people-oriented. Leaving them home without a plan is one of the fastest ways to create anxiety, destruction, or reactivity. But with structure, it’s absolutely manageable. Here’s what works.

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First: How Long Can a German Shepherd Be Left Alone?​

Adult shepherds can generally handle:

• 4–6 hours comfortably
• 8 hours with proper preparation

Puppies are different (more on that below). The real issue isn’t just time, it’s what happens before and after that time.

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Age Matters​

Puppies (8 Weeks – 6 Months)​

Puppies should not be left loose.

At this stage:

• Crate training is important (Have prior positive associations)
• Midday potty breaks are necessary
• A dog walker or trusted person helps significantly

Keep absences short at first and build gradually.

Before leaving:

• Short training session
• Light play
• Potty break

You want them slightly tired, not over-stimulated.

Puppies love to bite! If your puppy is in that stage, I have this great guide to help. Have a look here at "How to stop puppy biting?"

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Adolescents (6–18 Months)​

This is the tricky stage where energy is high. Impulse control is low and many owners struggle here because the dog suddenly has:

• Adult strength
• Puppy brain

At this stage, I recommend:

• Structured morning exercise (mental + physical)
• Controlled crate or safe containment area
• Enrichment items (frozen Kong, chew)

If possible, a midday break makes a huge difference. This stage is often when destructive behavior appears if needs aren’t met. Need some fun activities for quick in the house activities to tire out your pup? Have a look at my post "Top ways to drain your GSD's energy indoors".

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Adults (18 Months +)​

Most mature shepherds can handle a full workday, if their needs are met consistently.

That means:

• Morning engagement
• Clear boundaries
• Calm departures (no dramatic exits)
• Quality time when you return

A shepherd that works mentally before you leave usually rests better while you’re gone.

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Working Line vs Show Line Differences​

This is important.

Working Line GSDs often:

• Require more mental engagement
• Struggle more with under-stimulation
• Need clearer structure

If you own a working line and work full-time, consider adding:

• Morning obedience drills
• Scent games before leaving
• Structured tug
• Flirt pole sessions
• Dog walker for intense midday outlet

Working lines thrive when they feel purpose. Show lines still need structure but some may settle more naturally. Know your dog’s energy profile.

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Set Up Your Environment for Success​

Before leaving for work:

1. Exercise the brain, not just the body
2. Avoid hyping them up right before leaving
3. Leave a long-lasting chew or enrichment item
4. Keep departures calm and neutral

What you don’t want:

• High-arousal fetch right before crate time
• Emotional goodbyes
• Leaving a dog already overstimulated

Calm in -> calm out.

Interested in some unique tips for encouraging calm behavior? Have a look at my write up "How to encourage calm behavior in German Shepherds".

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What About Dog Daycare?​

For some shepherds, daycare is great. For others, especially high-drive working lines, constant arousal can backfire. Balance is key. Not every shepherd benefits from daily daycare, some do better with structured one-on-one engagement.

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Signs Your GSD Isn’t Handling Alone Time Well​

Watch for:

• Excessive barking
• Destruction
• Escape attempts
• Panting / pacing
• Drooling

These may signal separation anxiety or unmet needs. In that case, training adjustments are necessary.

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The Real Key​

It’s not about “Can a German Shepherd be left alone?” It’s about “Are their physical and mental needs consistently met?” A shepherd with purpose rests better, a shepherd without structure invents work, and you probably won’t like the job they choose.

If you work full-time, what has helped your shepherd settle while you’re gone?