10 week old cries in crate if we leave the room

[Kat and Winston]

We've had Winston home for almost two weeks. He had a few digestive issues that seem to be resolving, but I may have babied him a little bit because of it last week. 

We take him outside, play ball and exercise him, play with his ropes inside and then when it's time for him to go in his crate he's totally fine, as long as we stay in the room. He wanders in and out of his crate easily when we are in the room if it's open, so it's not about being afraid of the crate.

If we all leave the room he starts to bark and whine. He can even be asleep but he will hear me get up and then start to cry. I'll leave him to cry for a bit but he doesn't stop, so I'll usually wait for a short break come back and then take him out. I know not to get him out when crying.  I mean eventually we are going to want to leave the house as a family to go to church or the store for a couple of hours and I don't want him to cry the whole time. 

Any tips or suggestions. I tried shaking the soda can with a few pennies when he barks as the one trainer suggests, but it didn't have any effect or make him stop.

[Carol Vernon]

Kat, how's it going?  What are your thoughts about "alone training?"  I hope stress levels are improving!  

We are taking our mini Aussiedoodle, Dash, to a puppy training class starting tomorrow night - so exciting.  

I love Kikopup (Emily Larlham)!  Her approach has really helped me survive the early weeks with our puppy. Wishing you all the best as you work through Winston's anxiety about separation.  

Carol

[Kat and Winston]

Thanks Carol. It's getting there. I'm trying the reassurance and just oral praising when he's quiet in the crate and slowly moving away from him.  I really like Emily and it's great how she offers so many free videos, simply because she loves dogs.

I am looking forward to when Winston can start a puppy class.  How old is Dash again? Winston will be 11 weeks tomorrow and we are getting his second shots this Saturday and then I guess we will have 3 more weeks until the final parvo. Then they say two weeks to be safe which makes it mid December before he'll be really free to roam the world. Which of course puts us right near the holidays and I feel like we'll be missing the key socialization time. 

I hope you have fun at the class. I hope you'll share how it goes when you get back!

[Carol Vernon]

Hi Kat, Dash is almost 14 weeks old.  The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior says that they have reversed their previous guidance about deferring socialization activities until after shots have kicked in.  They say that the biggest threat to dogs' lives is lack of early socialization; it results in behavioral problems which cause people to give up dogs which are then euthanized. They feel that this is a greater risk than the (much lower) risk of getting an infectious disease.  If you want to check it out, here is the link:  https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Puppy_Socialization_Po...

So Dash has been exposed to many people, situations and events over the last six weeks.  I've kept her out of deep grass & weeds because of ticks (deer ticks are the size of a sharp pencil point).  Other than that, she has visited rivers, lakes, the ocean, horses, sheep, cows, every possible type of vehicle, outdoors concerts, dog-friendly stores, dogs, and every type of person.  

Yes, I'll share how the first puppy class goes.  It is a S.T.A.R. (Socialization Training Activity and Responsibility) Puppy class by the AKC - open to all puppies.  I'm excited!

Is Winston a food boy?  (LOVES food?)  You could try giving him a stuffed kong to work on while you briefly step out of visual range.  Smear the inside with a little PB or cream cheese or yogurt, then add kibble mixed with a few treats that he likes & tolerates well.  Refrigerate for more of a challenge or freeze for a big challenge.  This works best when the pup is hungry.

It probably feels sooooo frustrating and stressful now but eventually Winston will be happy and contented in his crate even when you are gone.  Hang in there! 

[Kat and Winston]

Thanks Carol. I had read what they said about the changes, and have been doing some of the suggestions, but have felt a bit conflicted about the classes because my niece's dog got Parvo and died last September. Of course I know that's like saying that I know somebody who was killed in an accident so now refuse to ride in a car, but it's just hard to not worry.

We do have children of our own and their friends that come in to the home. We've also taken Winston out to the beach, a pumpkin patch and have taken him inside when we are paying our local utility bills, but have carried him  all these places and not let him down on the ground. I sat on the front porch  in a rocking chair (he actually really loves to be rocked) on Halloween evening to hand out the candy and he met all sorts of children, some in scary masks and others with big hats, and he wagged his tail and offered kisses to the ones who wanted to pet him.

But he is definitely lacking in dog socialization. I'm a much more concerned about parvo being present there because of my niece's dog. I mean she'd had the first set of shots and yet still got sick.I guess I should look into see what puppy classes they have and what requirements they have as well as what precautions they take.

I do have a Kong, and Winston loves to eat, but he has a sensitive stomach that we are dealing with so I am not doing any other treats. I did stick some chicken and rice in his kong and that kept him entertained for a bit, but when I left the room he stopped and started to yelp for me. I guess he's a mommy's boy, more than a foodie..:-)

[Carol Vernon]

Winston is getting some excellent socialization experience!  I understand your concerns about the parvo risk, esp. given your niece's horrible experience.  An experience like that is terrifying.  

The puppy class we are starting tonight requires that pups have had their shots for rabies, distemper, parvo, and bordatella.  All the classes I looked at had virtually identical requirements.  

I've avoided taking Dash to dog parks and other dog-intensive places so far.  I've arranged play dates with gentle, friendly & healthy neighbor dogs.  So far, so good.

I wish you success with training Winston out of his separation fears.  It will probably take time & patience - but it will be so worthwhile in the long run.  Even if he can only stay calm for a few seconds after you leave the room, it's a fine starting point.  Go Winston!  

[Carol Vernon]

Hi Kat.  We took Dash to her first S.T.A.R. Puppy class last night.  There were 8 puppies, all under 11 months.  The trainer was very loud but he had to be, given the several dogs who barked a lot.  Class was an hour.

My reactions to the class:  Very loud and chaotic (but hey, they're puppies).  We started 15 mins. late due to the 3 people who arrived late.  The trainer then spent 25 mins on administration:  He read something out loud that we'd all read & signed before class; he showed all of us (individually) photos of the locking mechanism on the various doors & gates; and he talked a lot about his approach to training (positive).  

In the 20 mins remaining, we practiced luring dogs into a sit (Dash sits very reliably on cue, no lure needed).  We also practiced recall on a leash.  The trainer described the name game in which you reward the pup for looking at you when you say her name.  Our homework is to practice these things each day via several 3-min. training sessions.  

For me, the best parts were:

1.  Encouraging Dash to settle in the presence of the other pups. She did well. 

2.  Dash being able to greet the other pups. Dash was very hyper.  We're working on it.

I'm glad we're doing this class.  It's six one-hour sessions which I think is a good format.  Let me know if you find a good class & how you like it.  

How's Winston doing with your leaving visual range?  

[Kat and Winston]

It sounds like it was good, with a bit of a slow start, which I think is standard housekeeping stuff for all classes...lol and as you said the time for Dash around the other pups is so great. I have a feeling if Winston feels the same about dogs as he does people he will be hyper too...lol.

I actually found some puppy's classes that start December the 8th when he should hopefully have had the next two sets of shots completed, so we are hoping to get him signed up for them shortly. $100 for 4 weeks. Just need to find out if they are skipping Christmas week, as that won't work well for our family.

I'm excited to hear what you learn next week. How is he doing with his homework?:-)

We are working on the separation anxiety and are definitely making progress so feeling some relief. 

[Carol Vernon]

Kat, I'm so glad that the sep. anxiety is improving!