Our pup hasnt been left home alone all that much (although it has happened ).
Recently though he has begun howling and crying when we try to leave - or even if we go into another room and leave him behind . Is this normal pup behaviour (like babys go through ) or is it because he isnt used to being on his own - have we spoilt him ?. Also we were hoping to get a crate - would this make things worse ?
Lel

Hi lel,
Our 14 week old did this and occasionally still does, I suppose its purely
baby behaviour - he is only behaving this way because he loves you and misses you when your away.
We have just learnt to deal with it (the first ay i had to go to work I was in tears!).
If you leave the room and he does it, don't go back in whilst he is like this, wait till he calms then go back in otherwise he will think crying will bring you back.
It is hard but I am sure he will settle down. I don't think it is because you spoiled him.
With regards to crate I hear many people use them but we haven't and I would have no intention of doing so, I do not agree with the principle, and certainly not if you intend leaving him for a period of time.
Louise

I agree, Louise, dogs should not be left in crates for long periods. However many dogs just love their crates - they feel safe, secure, comfortable and content.
I just wish they made one big enough for humans ! :)

Why not try and live the radio on and a hot water bottle (not to hot!) :) I did find this helped Molly when I first got her home (I know she is not a puppy at the time but a very upset doggie from Battersea and she cried all the time and was very nervous too). It did work for her? Just a thought? :) Julieann xx

When you are at home, don't make up by spending all the time with the pup - hard as it may seem ;)

If the pup gets love and affection at home, while you are there, most of the time, or is allowed with you all the time, he will feel desolate when you do leave, be it for just 5 minutes!

I got my pup used to being left by using a child gate to occasionally keep her away from me - for example when cooking, doing housework etc. She learnt to settle or just chew a toy whilst I did this. So she learnt that not all the tiem I was at home did she get attention, and that she was expected to amuse herself just a bit :)

Also went out and about often, lots of times a day - 3 minutes in the garden wihtout her, 5 mins. to a neighbours, 1 minute upstairs, then gradually lengthen to popping to corner shop, to maybe half an hour, then an hour....all whilst she was young.

She also loves to sit on the sofa and look out the window for us, keeps her amused I feel :)

Lindsay

It is hard not to "mummy" them isnt it ?
There is always someone there with pup ( well nearly always ) .
When we have nipped out anywhere my friend who lives a few doors away says she has heard him yelping when she has passed by . I feel so meeeean :(
I dont want to spoil him but I want him to feel a part of the family and not feel all alone .
I'm sure I can find a kiddie gate up in the loft - this might actually be one way of doing it .
Thanks :)
Lel

i know i am new to all this but this is what i do with my westie pup.
we had a stair gate across the kitchen so when we went out he seemed to get stressed and mess himself.
i bought a crate from argos put his bed in it and covered the crate with a blanket i also got him a small kong and i pop a little bit of peanut butter inside he is so fasinated with it he hardly knows i have gone out.
i also leave the radio on.
i have also found if i ignore him before i go out he seems less stress.
he has not messed in his crate and when i creep through the front door after i have been out i cannot hear him cry.
i will try the stair gate thing again when he is a bit older and settled but as he is only 13 weeks he is still a baby and the crate i think makes him feel secure.
he also sleeps in his crate at night and this has been wonderfull as he has started sleeping through the night without toileting.
i know there will be other advice but this has personally worked for me and toddy.

Thanks Toddysboss
I am really interested in getting a crate - i posted a thread aboiut opinions for and against but admin has told me to do a search
my breeder and trainer raved about how great they are - just people saying that "only birds are meant for cages "that put me slightly off the idea .
Lel

by the way did pup take to it right away or did he need some coaxing??

as long as i put treats in there he is fine at first he did cry a bit but the first time he went in it was at night in my room so i ignored his cries and after a couple of minutes he settled down this broke him in for when he was left for the first time.
to me it has been a god send i am not worried what i will come home too and toddy is happy.
he used to get so stressed when he messed himself when i left him in the kitchen even though it was only ten minutes the first time.
it his taken the pressure off both of us.

brilliant- just what i wanted to hear !! :)
Do you close it at night or do you leave it open?
Lel

i am glad at the end of the day you have to think of yourself and your dog and find the best methods suitable to take the stress out of your life.
and i think a crate is one less stress for you both
good luck

i close the door at night.
i can tell if he needs toiletting as he becomes figitty.
then he is not tempted to jump on me but he can still see and hear me (snoring).
it is good because i have three little boys who wake up early to go to the loo and toddy cant get to them and try and play before i am ready to get up.
i can also get dressed in peace without him running off with my night clothes in his mouth.

Lol
I know what you mean.
Getting ready for work in the morning is a nightmare - although i think if you had a video camera it would make for some great viewing!!! :)
We have recently got a new bed and pup shoots right underneath because he knows you cant reach him there - then sits chewing your socks while looking straight at you as you frantically try to squeeze your self underneath to reach him .
But I must say its nice to be woken up by a sloppy doggy kiss in the morning !!
Lel ;)

i remember when my three boys where babies i used to go in their rooms in the morning and the feelings of joy from both of us when i lifted them out of their cots i know toddy is a dog but i get the same feeling when i take toddy out of his crate in the morning for a hair nibbling cuddle off him the good thing is now no dirty nappy to change just a quick dash to the garden wearing dressing gown coat and my boots shivering while toddy does his business.
bliss

are we both soppy or what ?? :)
Lel

We must use the same fashion house - I have the dressing-gown-and-wellies set too! Drop dead gorgeous, yeah ;)

(And oh, I remember that lifting out of the cot feeling - the joy and love we felt was soooo lovely.....I've gone all blubby now!!!!

actually pup is in his little bed at my feet while i am on the pc- and he just looks soooo adorable . :)
Isnt it nice when kids and dogs are all in bed ??? Bliss :) peace
Lel

is this a joke ? Wind up ? there is a crate big enough for a human its called prison!!!

'twas just my way of saying I wouldn't mind a nice, quiet place I could escape to now and again, Mattie !! :)

Me too :) :)

ooo I'll join you two on that one too! :D Julieann xxxx