Now that you understand WHY your puppy is barking...
You can TEACH YOUR PUPPY TO BE ALONE!
If you have never left your puppy alone it is important to do everything that you can to set them up for success.
Puppies should have an area that is safe and can be gated-off. If you have a jumper, try stacking two gates. I prefer this to shutting a door. Door need to be opened to see what is happening, and they can be scratched. If you aren't sure... start by stacking two gates so that any jumping attempts will fail.
This area should be easy-to-clean, in case your pup has an accident. Tile and linoleum floor are best. Cement is porous and will absorb odors unless protected with a sealant. The puppy confinement area should be safe. Remove any items of value and anything your pup might chew or make a mess with such as plants, books, baskets, clothing, cleaning items etc...
This area should have a crate. The door can be left open and a comfortable bed can be inside the crate. There should be some water in a spill-proof bowl. You don't want to have to go back because they barked, jumped and knocked over the water. This will give your dog the idea that barking & spilling = mommy and daddy come back.
Try putting your puppy in this area when she is:
EXHAUSTED! Think a 3-hour walk or hike, a doggie-play session at the beach, an afternoon with the kids from the neighborhood.
HUNGRY! I encourage you to skip or go light on a meal or two. It won't hurt the pup if they miss a lunch meal just once.
You should be:
RESTED! Don't do this when you are tired, cranky or short on patience.
READY FOR SOME NOISE! Earphones, movie, music, home-workout.
NOT GOING ANYWHERE! Don't actually leave during or after the first time you do this.
THE PLAN FOR PUPPIES FIRST SUCCESSFUL ALONE-TIME.
- Skip breakfast, but prepare a really tasty Kong and put it in the fridge.
- Check that the confinement area is fully prepared and puppy-proofed.
- Take your puppy out for a really, really long hike, play session, walk or combination of all of this.
- Bring the pup back home (don't let this be a long nappy car trip (this will undo the exercise).
- Take your pup to their potty area and allow them time to take care of business.
- Go to the kitchen and get the Kong and a few chew items.
- Put the puppy in the confinement area and give them the Kong. Secure the gate (stacking if necessary).
- Walk away and out of the room -IGNORE what you hear.
- Wait until the puppy is quiet for at least 10-15 minutes, then listen (without disturbing).
Does it sound like the pup is asleep? Eating from the Kong? Chewing? Congratulations. Now just let your pup out BEFORE they start to cry again.
Feed your pup like this everyday. Soon they will need only normal amounts of exercise and you can start putting their regular food in the kong with less and less of the really amazing treats.
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Anonymous
July 23, 2009, 12:11 pm
Hi Kelly,
I am trying to achieve this with my Chihuahua, Tank who is 6-8 months old. I got him from someone else who let him roam the house and he was with another animal. His behavior started AFTER I got him, so I fear I have spoiled him.
Recently, I have attempted to leave him alone. The first couple of times he cried, howled, and chewed up carpet. So then I started putting him in the bathroom, but he did the same things, except, clawed the door and made his paw bleed. I got a puppy gate and he chews on it and howls when I leave him behind it, even when I am in the same room. He escaped twice by tearing and clawing at it. As soon as I let him out he stops crying and lays down contented.
It is very frustrating for me, I am leaving him for short periods, but it doesn't seem to be getting better.
He has food, water, favorite toys, and his puppy bed in the area.
