Separation problems

superoo · Post by **superoo** » 24 Jun 2014, 16:43

Can anyone give me some tips how to keep my puppy happy when I have to get on with normal life!!!!

I take him out a lot and spend loads of time with him but when I go away to get on with house chores etc he goes crazy!

I have a stair gate in the kitchen so he can stay in there while I work but he just cries and barks all the time until I go in the kitchen with him. I know he's only a puppy but I can't even wash my hair ha ha....I find his whining and barking really stressful!!

I have tried just ignoring him but that doesn't work, he goes on forever! He's got loads of toys,bones etc and he's not interested in them either until I'm there.

How did you all get on with this problem? I'm sure they all do it....not sure my neighbour is going to be very happy if it carries on!!!!

Parents of Roxy · Post by **Parents of Roxy** » 24 Jun 2014, 18:27

You have only had him 2 weeks so he has a lot of adapting to do.
If you follow your normal routines, leaving him for short periods of a minute or two, slowly building up to longer periods he will learn to trust you will return and will not panic.
You have a very intelligent powerful dog who deserved the best support and training you can give. You sound unprepared. Have you enrolled him any puppy classes yet?
Sue

Eddie · Post by **Eddie** » 24 Jun 2014, 19:34

Sue is right. You start of with just a short break where the pup is in his own place or crate and you just build it up.
Initially it might be easier if he can see you for a while but you should continue to increase the time.
You can also try distraction, leaving him with toys or a kong filled with something tasty.
Ours are quite good now and I will happily leave them for 4 hours (occasionally) or even 5 at a pinch. Whenever I am going out (even if it's just to the shops) they get a DentaStix and they associate that with being left.

Maty · Post by **Maty** » 24 Jun 2014, 19:52

Yes, build it up gradually if you can. Even sitting outside the baby gate and throwing treats and saying good boy whenever he is quiet. I spent hours sat at the dining table reading over a few days, Once Rodders was happy with that I started to move away for a few moments and then come back. They soon learn to trust that you will come back.

superoo · Post by **superoo** » 24 Jun 2014, 19:54

Parents of Roxy wrote:You have only had him 2 weeks so he has a lot of adapting to do.
If you follow your normal routines, leaving him for short periods of a minute or two, slowly building up to longer periods he will learn to trust you will return and will not panic.
You have a very intelligent powerful dog who deserved the best support and training you can give. You sound unprepared. Have you enrolled him any puppy classes yet?
Sue

I'm very prepared. The breeder hadn't socialised him at all so there's a lot of work to be done as he's very nervous. He's getting better every day though.
We have already started puppy classes and I'm looking forward to agility with him when he's 6 months.

I was just interested to know if there was anything that other owners on here may have tried with their puppy when left alone for a short time like a stuffed kong etc apart from the going away for short periods and returning, which I am doing already.

Champ629 · Post by **Champ629** » 24 Jun 2014, 19:58

When we got Jake at 8 weeks old, I was working part time. I used to leave Jake on his own for approx. 5 hours, he was absolutely fine and that was his routine, he didn't know any different. It is always a good idea to gradually increase on the time you leave your pup for, but I had no choice and Jake has turned out to be a great dog with no separation anxiety issues.

Parents of Roxy · Post by **Parents of Roxy** » 24 Jun 2014, 21:16

Sorry about my comment. I was wrong to assume that. I should have asked first.
My standard is naturally insecure so we have to leave a radio on when we go out to keep the atmosphere natural for her. When we leave her alone we shove frozen cubes of wet dog food - now only one with a couple of small biscuits in her kong for immediate satisfaction. This has the effect of making leaving her a joy for her as she immediately sets to work.
If we are in the house and she is restless she loves her rubber treat ball with different shapes of carrot pieces that take ages to fall out. She will work hard on this before grunting and bringing it back to me for the last one or two to be helped out. Activity toys are brilliant distractions.
I cannot leave her to go out with carrot pieces as once in her crate a piece rolled out and she barked for 2 hours straight to get me to rescue the carrot. My neighbour texted me about it and when I got in it all made sense.
Roxy loves nylabone, stag bar and bull horn but we only leave the nylabone in her crate.
Hope this helps a little.
Sue

superoo · Post by **superoo** » 25 Jun 2014, 11:14

Parents of Roxy wrote:Sorry about my comment. I was wrong to assume that. I should have asked first.
My standard is naturally insecure so we have to leave a radio on when we go out to keep the atmosphere natural for her. When we leave her alone we shove frozen cubes of wet dog food - now only one with a couple of small biscuits in her kong for immediate satisfaction. This has the effect of making leaving her a joy for her as she immediately sets to work.
If we are in the house and she is restless she loves her rubber treat ball with different shapes of carrot pieces that take ages to fall out. She will work hard on this before grunting and bringing it back to me for the last one or two to be helped out. Activity toys are brilliant distractions.
I cannot leave her to go out with carrot pieces as once in her crate a piece rolled out and she barked for 2 hours straight to get me to rescue the carrot. My neighbour texted me about it and when I got in it all made sense.
Roxy loves nylabone, stag bar and bull horn but we only leave the nylabone in her crate.
Hope this helps a little.
Sue

Hi Sue, no problem at all,thanks for your reply.
I think in time he will learn to stay on his own for longer....he can be quite happy with his toys and bones but as soon as I leave the room he' just wants to come with me. I didn't really want to put him in the crate during the day unless I go out but I guess this may be the only solution at the moment....my house is going to start looking like a squat if I don't start somewhere!!!!

jacdales · Post by **jacdales** » 25 Jun 2014, 13:23

I let Hamish follow me about all the time he sits at my feet when I hoover or mop I even have to ask him to move over so I can do the bit he's sitting on. I have a day kennel and if I'm going out and it's nice he goes in there with the other dogs or goes in his crate if it's cold. He will be as good as gold till he hears my car or my voice then he sounds like a seal yelling for fish it's a pitiful sound and he will build it up to a frenzy if I don't go to him. I have learned to sit quiet in the car till he stops or go into the house and ignore him for 5 mins once he stops yelling I go out with a treat. We are now working on a nice sit when he greets me rather than jumping all over me. He is allowed to do that but only when I say ok I'm in my track suit you can jump.

Parents of Roxy · Post by **Parents of Roxy** » 25 Jun 2014, 18:06

It will take a lot if work and practice but you will get there. It is hard in the beginning if they think that barking gets your attention.
It might be worth telling your neighbours that there will be some barking and whining but you are training and that you have to start somewhere. No pain no gain. Sometimes a bit of blanking it out so he realises you only return with no fuss when he is quiet. When he is calm, you can tell him he is good, but with no excitement. Roxy really needed to see that I was not bothered about it before she stopped being bothered about it. With an intelligent dog you will have many triumphs but they watch you like a hawk to see what they can get away with. Roxy had been a little minx with a will of iron. Over time we saw her sense of humour coming through so it had all been worth it. You might feel you are being tested to your limits and you are. Once he finds your boundaries of tolerance, peace will descend on your home - until a cat walks past or someone rings your bell!
I do remember letting her watch while I had no privacy in the bathroom just for a quiet life, though. As soon as she was toilet trained I gave her more freedom and she chooses to lie on our bed when I vacuum but she prefers to be in the same room as me most of the time and I enjoy her companionship.
She tolerates me working part time but would prefer I didn't - but I have no choice. The plus side is she has good focus on me outside and recall was easy to teach by running away from her.
Best of luck to you.
Sue

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