Hello, Our new puppy, Benji, arrived on Friday afternoon and has settled in really well. I have been reading this forum for weeks leading up to him coming home and already using the clicker for his training (not had an accident indoors yet today!) I would really like some advice on how to keep him settled and happy while I am out. I had to leave him for half an hour today, which I know is probably too much too soon and he cried the whole time. He had all his toys and had a run round the garden before I left but that didn't seem to help. I used to have a Bassett Hound x Cocker Spaniel who used to bark whenever he was left alone and i am worried I will get it wrong again. Any ideas on what I can try? Thank you in advance. Beth and Benji
Re: New Puppy Hi Beth and welcome to the forum. You could try building up separation over time, so leave him for 30 seconds at first, then build it up a tiny bit at a time. Sometimes make it really short again, so he doesn't know when you're coming back. Make sure you always go back into the room when he's quiet and don't reward the noise. A lot of it I'm sure he'll grow out of. I was very worried about the same thing, but now I can leave either of my seven-month-olds alone while I take the other out for a training session and they're fine. A few months ago, they would cry and/or bark a large amount of the time. You don't want to risk it, though, so training quiet is a good strategy.
Re: New Puppy Same as snow bunny's pups ..... Bella howled, barked and cried when I even went to the loo for 2 minutes!!! I was worried re separation anxiety... The barking was so loud and she used to do poos too. She also grew out of it ( 5 months now) I kept rewarding her when she stopped and built leaving her up over time, she's fine for 3 hours alone now and amuses her self / sleeps. When he learns you always come back he'll be fine. Good luck ;D
Re: New Puppy Hi and welcome to the forum I would start by leaving him in a room when you go into another. Start for a few seconds and build up slowly, varying the amount of time you leave him. Maybe leave him with a chew or a few treats. Good luck
Re: New Puppy Thank you for your comments. I have thought about introducing the Kong but wondered if he was a bit small for that? He is fine when I go upstairs to the toilet and I just went into the kitchen to sort the dinner and he didn't make a fuss that I had gone, carried on playing with his teddy. Hopefully with a bit of training and time he will be okay.
Re: New Puppy Welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't offer much advice about leaving your puppy as I didn't have a problem with Juno, just used to pop her in her crate and give her a nylabone to chew and she never fussed. Even now we give her the nylabone when we go out and leave her and take it back when we get home. As it's the only time she has the bone she seems quite happy for us to go out.
Re: New Puppy You can stuff a kong with softened kibble with maybe a smear of peanut butter or marmite.....
Re: New Puppy [quote author=CDM link=topic=10222.msg150022#msg150022 date=1426539532] Never too young for a kong ;D [/quote] My two have always had a Kong each with just a bit of peanut butter smeared into the 'big' end (and sometimes frozen, with carrot and one or two treats inside too). They have both been trained to go into their crates with a Kong and with the radio left on for company. I now only have to go into the kitchen and turn the radio on and Tuppence (soon followed by Wispa) immediately waits for her Kong and goes happily into her crate, as does Wispa. ;D
Re: New Puppy Welcome Beth and Benji! You've gotten great advice, I would just remind you that you've only had him a few days and he's used to being part of a group - so much has changed in his little world so quickly, and I think we need to be sensitive to these kinds of things. But yes...working diligently on leaving him for short periods will certainly make the longer separations easier. Just reassure him that you WILL be back, and you'll find soon that he settles into the routine. Heidi and a 6 month old milk chocolate girl, Bella - and we're Americans! 8) 8) 8)
Re: New Puppy Hi Beth,welcome to you and Benji,bet you are totally loved up with your pup x You've had loads of great advice already,I'd have said the same as Naya about building up time really gradually and starting in the house before you work up to longer times away from home,it's still very early days.Is Benji comfortable in a crate...what is your set up when you leave the house?is he sectioned off in a particular area that feels like a safe comfortable place? There's so much experience on the forum,shout out if you need any help ,there is always someone kind enough to suggest something that may help Best wishes Angela x
Re: New Puppy He is such a treasure! I really didn't want to leave him but unfortunately my other half was caught at work and I had no choice. Will definitely build it up slowly now and have introduced the Kong to him today - he is darting round the lounge like a mad dog with it so that's positive. I left him in the kitchen with some music on but have brought in the old crate that I had for my previous dog and he was straight in it lying down. I put a couple of treats in there to reassure him too. Fingers crossed it only improves!! Thank you all for the reassurance and advice. Although I've had a pup before, it all seems so daunting again!
Re: New Puppy https://www.dropbox.com/s/z9lyc1anhasnnyc/photo-5.JPG?dl=0 Not too sure on how to post pictures from Dropbox so this may not work but if so, this should be Benji
