My puppy doesn't like being alone!

[Sheila K]

Hello!

My doodle, Sunshine (Sunny for short) is the most wonderful puppy ever; she's so loving and cuddly. However, I can't leave her in a room alone without her whining. I've tried a Kong toy and an elk antler for when I'm not there but she just ignores them and looks for me. Any ideas or tricks for building her independence?

She doesn't seem to have separation anxiety (yet?) because first, she's 13 weeks and second, because I've recorded her when I've left and she's only cried for 1-3 minutes each time and given up. Also, she hasn't had any other signs of separation anxiety like soiling her crate and such.

I might be overreacting but I just want her to be able to enjoy herself when she's alone for when I won't be home. 

Thank you for your help!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Hello Sheila. Sunshine is adorable.

Pups just want to be with their pack. It's normal and if you don't mind the whining just ignore it.

I've got a 13 week old labradoodle. She would prefer to be with us all the time, but there are times when she has to be by herself and she has to learn that I can't always be there with her. So, as long as it's not important, I just leave her alone. Make sure she's quiet before you get her or else she will learn that whining is how she gets to be with you. She can be quiet for one second - it doesn't have to be a long standoff. The one thing I have done was to stand with my back to Gracie and when she is quiet, then I will take her out (she's crated when not in my presence).

Come on over to the puppy madness group. There is lots of helpful advice and support for those of us with pups!

[Sheila K]

I just joined the group! Thanks for the help. I've been following those guidelines so far but I guess she just has to get used to it more and more.

[DJ & Chance]

Chance always gets a kong toy stuffed with healthy goodies (mostly his kibble with a few extras thrown in to confuse him) when I leave the house for any extended period of time. He is very food motivated and is so consumed with the toy that he hardly seems to notice when I leave.

[BG and Gavin]

In order to avoid separation anxiety, put her on a strict routine from the get go. Morning pee, then exercise/playtime, feeding, then crate time for a half hour, repeat. try leaving the house sometimes when she has crate time and gradually lengthen the amount of time you are gone up to a couple of hours. Never make a big deal about coming or going. In fact ignore her for five minutes when you get home and put your groceries away, pour a coffee, whatever, then get her from the crate calmly. Fight the urge to make a big fuss when getting her from the crate, keep it silent and matter of fact.. Don't say goodbye when you leave either. When she is uncreated and with you make her follow you from room to room so you can ensure she doesn't practice bad behaviour when you are not looking. You can teather her to you for now but as she learns she should naturally follow you when you transition.

[Sheila K]

I think I definitely need to work on not making a fuss when taking her out of the crate. I always wait for her to be quiet but she is so excited to see me that it's hard not to be receptive. Haha!