Hi all,
Our 12 wk old Samoyed pup tends to bark a lot when we leave her at home - I'm wondering if this is normal for young pups (and she'll eventually grow out of it) or if we need to be concerned about it.
We've been leaving her at home for stretches ranging from 1-4 hours over the last week, almost always in a small room with some toys.
Sometimes we get home and she's quiet, at other times she's barking up a storm (and I can hear it outside - am sure the neighbors can as well). I have even started making audio recordings while we're away so I can tell how often and how long she barks. Generally she is quiet for an hour or so, then barks from 5 to 30 minutes on and off, then quiet for an hour more, then barks some more, etc. So, she is NOT barking continuously, and, she does not start barking as soon as we leave - it usually starts up about 30 min. after we go.
We have been good about making comings and goings low key, giving her a stuffed Kong, trying to exercise her before we leave, etc. We have not been leaving her in her crate since I'm not sure she can yet "hold it" for more than an hour or so and want to avoid accidents in the crate. Eventually we'll transition over to that of course.
So ... is this something to be worried about? Or will she eventually just get over it? We don't want to cause our puppy undue stress and sure don't want a full blown case of SA on our hands in a few months. I have read the "I'll be home soon!" booklet, which was great, but I think we've been doing all the things mentioned in it already.
Thanks!