Transitioning to leaving puppy at home

I'm not a trainer by any means, but I do have a suggestion for you in regards to the crying/barking when you leave. Try to get your dog used to being by herself while you're still in the house. When Kobi was a wee pup, he was a real velcro puppy. He literally followed me everywhere. Had to be right under my feet. I slowly started separating myself from him. First thing I did was to go into the family room and put the gate up so he could see me but he couldn't come in. I would say "I'll be right back!" After I few minutes I removed the gate and joined him. Gradually I would increase the time. Then I started going into a room and shut the door. Again, I would say "I'll be right back!" I'd start with about a minute and worked up. He caught on pretty quick that I was coming back. When it came time to actually leave the house, he would follow me to the door, where I would say "I'll be right back!". He never cried or made a fuss at all. I'm sure there are other ways to do it, but I do think it is important for your puppy to learn that when you leave - you always come back.

Good luck! Cute puppy!

1) Any good strategies for leaving her alone? I've read about ignoring her when leaving and coming home, using Kongs, etc. - is this the right approach and any other advice?

My main strategy was to make sure that those last 5-10 minutes before I left were quiet and calm. Don't start any new games with her, don't excite her. Otherwise she'll get all ready to play, and then BOOM, you're out the door. Don't stare at her saying "Bye doggy, see you later" when you leave. For humans it's polite, for a dog, it's an invitation to come... Just turn around and leave.

After we played fetch or ran around in the yard, my pup was tired and happy. I'd then immediately switch gears and get a clicker out. Clicker to him meant no more zoomies - training time. We practiced STAY, or I'd give him commands to pick out and bring objects. It really doesn't matter what you do as long as your pup is calm before you go. (Practicing STAY forces him to calm down.) Depending on the energy level of your dog, it might not be hard at all. When you dog is calm, give him a treat. I'd also say "I have to go now". Turn around and leave. Now, as soon as me or my husband say "We have to go now", he slows down *immediately*, and goes lays down in his bed.

Kong is fine - it depends what your dog likes. Mine doesn't care about Kong. He likes a spiral plastc toy he can shake, bones for chewing, and his no.1 toy is his ball. Just don't leave too many toys, otherwise she'll think everything that's on the floor is hers, and is fair to chew.

2) How long should we expect the puppy to bark and cry when we leave? This weekend we did an experiment and she was at it for at least 20 minutes ... not good ... will that subside?

Since your pup is not used to being alone, it's not surprising. 20 minutes is fine... she should chill out.

I agree, teach her to stay in the crate alone while you are at home in the other room. (Don't move boxes around or exercise , your dog would want to join you.)

4) Should we leave her in the safe room or the crate? From my earlier posts we are trying to avoid her soiling her crate when we leave. Maybe we can leave her there if the absence is going to be short, and use the safe room otherwise?

I'd start leaving her in the crate first, and then, when you'll know that she can hold it for the amount of time you're gone, start leaving her in a room (it doesn't have to be a *small space* - any space as long as it's puppy proof will work). In the US a lot of folks use crates as an aid in housebreaking. Europeans have mixed feelings about that. Do some research, see what you think.

I kept my pup in the crate until he was 4 month old when everyone was out, for 4 hours max. Then, I started living him in a leaving room (we blocked off everything else) for very short periods of time - I wanted to see how he does it by himself running around free. (When puppies are active they need to go eliminate more often than when they are inactive in crates.) There was no accidents, so I extended the amount of time back up to 4 hours, then 6.

Thanks!!!

P.S. Her ears went up virtually overnight ... check it out!

CUTE!

Why don't you ask the closest neighbors if they can hear anything while you're away?  People sometimes hesitate to tell someone that their dog is barking, but if you actually ask them, I'm sure they'll tell  you.
 
Joyce                   

Why don't you ask the closest neighbors if they can hear anything while you're away? People sometimes hesitate to tell someone that their dog is barking, but if you actually ask them, I'm sure they'll tell you.

That's a great idea, since they'll also be less likely to complain if they know you are concerned about excessive barking and are trying to reduce it.

Thanks for the tips. We've basically been doing this (keeping comings and goings low-key) and also getting the puppy used to being left for different periods of time. I don't want her to know that being put in her safe room means necessarily a 3 hour absence. ...

We actually left a note with our neighbors to ask them to call us if she's making too much noise. Makes me feel better that they know we're concerned about this.

I take it it's common for puppies to complain when first being left at home ... but how long would one expect a puppy to whine and bark after being left?