Hi everyone,

Just wanted some advice.  as a lot of you know now, i have an 11 week old bichon frise puppy.   ive only had her for 4 days but just wanted to make sure im doing all the right things.  i know bichons are people dogs and very clingy but should i be wary of giving too much affection?

just wanted to makes sure im doing the right thing as at the moment i give her lots of attention and cuddles.  She has a crate which she sleeps in at night time and is doing well in it as the breeder had one but in the day time she prefers to cuddle us than go in there.  when shes sleepy we put her in her crate and she sleeps fine in there.  should i start slowly leaving her by herself for say 30 secs and increasing the time by going upstairs?should i always cuddle her when she wants it and let her follow me?  shes so gorgeous and lovely its hard to know what to do!!

Thank you

Gemma

She will cling to you just now as you are taking the place of her mum and siblings. If you aren't careful you won't be able to leave her, even to go to the loo ;-) I would start leaving her for a few minutes at a time, ignoring her when you go back into the room at first. In time she should be able to be left so that you can go shopping, or work without her panicking that you won't ever be coming home

Edited to add: All dogs will seek attention, some more than others, but sometimes it just isn't convenient for you, so make sure that she knows you need YOU time, without her on your lap :-D

Sounds like you are doing fine! :)

Do exactly what you said by letting her get used gradually to you not being there.
Good way to do this is to have her in the crate (door closed so she cant wander off), then go into the kitchen or another room where she cant see you for 5 mins, then return and if she was good and quiet reward with a treat and let her out.

If you repeat this (Getting further and further away from her in her crate) and gradually increase the time by 5 mins each session, or when she has mastered the previous timeframe increase it as needed, she will eventually get the idea of she has to be alone and deal with it. As long as she has her favourite toy in there with her (not chews etc incase she has trouble with one and you are not there to help) she should be just fine!! :)

Goes for leaving the house as well, use the same method above and she will soon be used to it!