A computer-implemented method comprising: initiating, by a dialog system, a dialog session; receiving, by the dialog system, a first speech input; detecting, by the dialog system, a pause in the first speech input indicative of completion of a first spoken utterance; determining, by the dialog system based on the first spoken utterance, a stopping condition for the dialog session, wherein the stopping condition indicates a first time value by which the dialog session is to be extended, wherein the dialog system determines the stopping condition based upon a length of the pause; determining, by the dialog system, that the stopping condition for the dialog session is not met; responsive to determining that the stopping condition is not met, extending the dialog session by at least the first time value indicated by the stopping condition; receiving (320, 502), by the dialog system, a second speech input; detecting, by the dialog system, a second pause in the second speech input indicative of completion of a second spoken utterance; and determining, by the dialog system based on the second spoken utterance, a second stopping condition for the dialog session, wherein the second stopping condition indicates a second time value by which the dialog session is to be extended, and wherein the dialog system determines the second stopping condition based upon a length of the pause in the second speech input; determining, by the dialog system, that the second stopping condition for the dialog session is not met; responsive to determining that the second stopping condition is not met, extending the dialog session by the second time value indicated by the second stopping condition; based upon the second speech input and the first speech input, determining, by the dialog system, that the second speech input is not relevant to the first speech input; and disregarding, by the dialog system, the second speech input. initiating, by a dialog system, a dialog session; receiving, by the dialog system, a first speech input; detecting, by the dialog system, a pause in the first speech input indicative of completion of a first spoken utterance; determining, by the dialog system based on the first spoken utterance, a stopping condition for the dialog session, wherein the stopping condition indicates a first time value by which the dialog session is to be extended, wherein the dialog system determines the stopping condition based upon a length of the pause; determining, by the dialog system, that the stopping condition for the dialog session is not met; responsive to determining that the stopping condition is not met, extending the dialog session by at least the first time value indicated by the stopping condition; receiving (320, 502), by the dialog system, a second speech input; detecting, by the dialog system, a second pause in the second speech input indicative of completion of a second spoken utterance; and determining, by the dialog system based on the second spoken utterance, a second stopping condition for the dialog session, wherein the second stopping condition indicates a second time value by which the dialog session is to be extended, and wherein the dialog system determines the second stopping condition based upon a length of the pause in the second speech input; determining, by the dialog system, that the second stopping condition for the dialog session is not met; responsive to determining that the second stopping condition is not met, extending the dialog session by the second time value indicated by the second stopping condition; based upon the second speech input and the first speech input, determining, by the dialog system, that the second speech input is not relevant to the first speech input; and disregarding, by the dialog system, the second speech input.