Hi all - im new at this.  I have a labrador x puppy who is 11 weeks old.  And he hates being left alone!  He is slowly getting used to night time, but still cries for a good half hour before going to his bed - we have given him our dining room and I have bought a dog gate so that he is not so enclosed.
My husband and I are starting back at work on Monday and we wil be leaving him for four hours before coming back to him at lunchtime - many of my friends who have had lab puppies have done the same thing and are fine - I think i just need some re assurance that he will be ok - any tips for leaving him alone at night - do I leave him cry or go and rescue him. Every time I go downstairs it makes matters worse!
Thanks
Jenny

He will cry because you have inadvertently taught him that you will come running if he shouts. IMO pups like to be in a small space, what they miss is the comfort from their siblings, hence why pups always squash themselves into small spaces. My Lab pup is 10wks and he sleeps in a cage at night, he loves his cosy cage, he has a nice soft duvet and it is covered over to be den like. He also has a constant companion in the form of a big cuddly dog,  who also takes a hot water bottle to resemble the warmth he had from his siblings. Apart from night time I don't realy leave him for any great length. I had to go on a long drive today and he came with me, we just stopped for him to do Hurry Ups a couple times.
When you do put him to bed in his cage be sure that you have been outside with him and seen him go to toilet and if he persists in shouting go down and only take him outside (with you) for H U's then put him back to bed, he will soon settle down. Please remember that a puppy is not in control of his motions until at least 12wks.
Debbie

If it's only at nights, then why can't he come to your room with you? He could have a bed or cardboard box and will be comforted by your presence.  Once he's more confident you can slowly start to move the bed back to where you want him to spent the night when he's adult.  Crates or cages often help to make this easier.......

I must admit to being a novice puppy owner but i have found with my 13 week old cocker that he hates being left in the kitchen even while i just nip upstairs, he howls but if I put him in his crate which he sleeps in at night he is more than happy, he even takes himself off there now in the day if he sees the hoover coming out or the mop bucket, they do like the security of a crate, i drape a blanket over his at night but never in the day.  I leave him for 1.5 hrs at the most while i go shopping and he's fine.