Dear all, we have a 10 week old puppy ....she is adorable and we are with her all day and night still in training .....however last night it happen that my hubby and i both had to attend a function and we were both nervous leaving mello home alone . we put her in the kitchen as there is very little she can chew to bits..we put all her toys in etc......however after 1 hr we got back she was barking like mad and we both felt terrible ....Any advice on how to train a puppy to leave her unattended for short periods of time with out her having all the neighbors running down the doors.
Going from "we are with her all day and night" to "after 1 hr we got back" is an overwhelming step for a small pup. You need to start gradually, from leaving her behind a closed door for 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 30 secs, 1 minute, 2, 3, 5, 10, etc, until you reach the hour. Then increase a little at a time. Stuff a kong with soaked kibble, freeze it, and leave it with your pup. It keeps them entertained for an hour or so. This isn't meant as any criticism of you, but speaking for ourselves only: We totally put our own social lives and hobbies on hold when the puppy was smaller. My wife even missed a relative's funeral because one of us needed to stay with the pup, and both of us couldn't be away from Nelson for 5 hours at that time. I don't know if this did ourselves any good, and not having the "safety valve" of hobbies and "own time" certainly puts strain on a relationship, but now we look back we know it was the best thing to do and Nelson is quite well trained, well-behaved and has no problem being on his own for some hours. PS I you haven't bought and read one of the many "new puppy" books, you should do that now. Practically all cover this area in detail.
Thank you for your great advice ....love the idea of the stuffed king with kibble....we will certainly start introducing mello with the new method ..thanks a mill
Sometimes leaving a very small puppy alone in a big space suddenly can feel very overwhelming for a puppy. They are frightened at that age they may have been abandoned. Crate training can really help too, it creates a warm safe place with positive associations, feed meals in there, kongs, toys etc.. Also building up the time the puppy is left very gradually helps, as has already been suggested, by just a few minutes at a time. Good luck!
As said, work your way up to time apart especially if they are used to you being there constantly as it will be a shock to them. They will however understand you are coming back, which keeps them settled.
Harley was much happier in her crate when I was out if the house, than if left in the kitchen, which is strange because she hated the crate and wouldn't stay in it overnight! She would bark and howl if I was in the house whilst she was crated, but was fine if I left the house. I know this as I had a webcam that I watched her through during lengthening duration of her being alone. Might be worth asking your neighbours if they heard her as she may if started barking when she heard you at the door?
