I will be getting a puppy soon and, obviously, it will need to be left alone at times such as going food shopping although i will initially be at home for toilet training.
So can you please advise me when to start leaving pup alone and for how long so as not to cause distress in the future.

Many thanks in advance.

You need to get him used to being alone for varying lengths of time from a few seconds to minutes, he then won't know when you are likely to reappear but that you will.

Crate training means he will be in a safe place which he is happy to be in. Giving him something to do whilst you are out will keep him occupied and stop him fretting,stuffed Kongs work well for this making sure what ever it is stuffed with is extra tasty and kept for these occassions.

Leaving the radio/TV on will make him think there is still someone around and putting an old article of your clothing[no buttons or zips]with your scent on in his crate will give him comfort too.

Sure others will come up with suggestions too

I agree ......A crate is invaluable ,I would also cover it with a towel or blanket to make it like a den ,  and then what i do is when you bring puppy home if its in the morning wait till his asleep and then just go for a walk for a couple of minutes .The reason i do this from day one is its natural to stay with the pup  all the time at first and then it makes it worse  ...A special dog friendly cuddly toy always helps too ...I always get my pup used to being away from me for a little while even when im home all day .a baby gate to keep him in the kitchen for example....It may seem hard but there may be times when pup has to amuse himself ...Anywayi how exciting what breed ???? Good luck !!!!!!

> Anyway how exciting what breed ????

It will be a very long awaited for Toy Poodle, preferably an apricot bitch but i will see what is available as i am more concerned about temperament than colour.

I contacted a breed club some time ago now to ask if any of their breeders had children in the house ( as i have children aged 6+ and thought that this would be a good starting point ) but was told that IHO the temperament of the parents doesn't matter and that it is how you bring up the pup. I am afraid that i have to disagree and would think that temperament of the  parents plus how the pup is brought up would both affect temperament, and would welcome others opinions on this.

The same person gave me some breeders names to try in my area, and i look on UK Poodles and of course Champdogs !
So if anyone knows of a breeder of healthy pups from healthy, health tested parents with fantastic temperaments please let me know !

> A crate is invaluable ,I would also cover it with a towel or blanket to make it like a den

Yes, i will do this.

What do you put in for bedding ?
I was going to get one of those soft, round dog beds to make it cosy for her but i know a lot of people on here are fans of vet bedding.

As a rule of thumb I won't leave the house for any length of time til I know the pup is OK on his own.  I start to leave him for minutes every day but remain in the house.  Each pup is a bit different and pups that have older dogs to set an example will probably learn a bit quicker.  I'm also really careful never to put the pup in a crate until all it's needs have been met, ie fed, watered, played with, a spot of training etc and then off to bed for a kip.  That way the pup learns that crate time is bed time and they do seem to settle a bit quicker.  I find reasons to hang around within sight or sound til the pup nods off. 

I don't rush this stage but luckily I don't have to.  I'm home all day and I have interested and capable teenagers who like to help and my OH doesn't mind puppy duty or shopping!  I do food shops online too.

Having had one boy who took months and months to stop weeing in his bed I always use vet bed to start with.  As soon as I know they aren't chewers and can be trusted not to pee they get a Tuffie too.  My youngest pup managed to pull a towel (from underneath my older dog!) all the way out of one crate and into his own so I wouldn't have risked covering his crate with anything but some dogs would be OK with it and it can be handy on summer nights and bright mornings.

If crate training do think about having more than one and have a look for secondhand ones.  I had one in the bedroom with us for the first few weeks, one in the car and another in the utility room where the others sleep.  Even in this room which was going to be his permanent sleeping place I started him in a smaller crate then moved up as he got bigger.  Experience has taught me NOT to put a pup in an adult sized crate too soon so this time I bought a divider too!

A final note: spending time with your puppy in the early stages, and not allowing him to get distressed by leaving too soon or putting a very awake puppy in a crate, doesn't create an overly dependant dog but rather one that learns to be happy on his own.  Little and often is the key and you'll be teaching your dog that you'll always be back and there's no need to shout :)  It's the same principle whether you use a crate, baby gate, or a closed door