Does my puppy have separation anxiety?

[Lesley1188]

Hello All,

My puppy is 9 weeks old and I worry he has separation anxiety. I'm not sure if this is normal puppy behaviour as this is the first puppy I've had. We started leaving him on his own recently in a playpen and he cries and howls when we leave, he also tries to chew the bars of the playpen but he settles down after about 10-15 mins and then he sleeps. When he wakes up he cries and howls a little again and then has some water, a little chew on his toys and then he's back to sleep again. (I know all this because I have a dog monitor app where I can watch him on my phone)

We also have a stair gate on our living room door and if we leave him in there whilst we are busy making dinner in the kitchen etc. he cries and barks to get our attention. I try my best to wait until he's quiet to return to the room and then praise him for being quiet.

Is this normal behaviour or separation anxiety? If it is normal behaviour will he get used to eventually being on his own? If it is separation anxiety, what can I do about it?

Thanks

Lesley

 

[amandadoglove]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2BDs0pu-C1A4POY0g9rZxw

I think that all puppies have this problem, but now it the right time to teach the little dog the skill of waiting patiently for you to come back, and while waiting to catch up on some sleep and relax.

When I foster puppies, this is the big problem, how to leave them so you can go out.

So I do this - I practice by putting them in their beds with the a special toy/blanket they like, then I give a treat and say wait wait and put the hand up to show stop. I also play this music when it is time to go to sleep every night, and when I go out I put this on, like a cue to sleep not to play.

Then go out of the room. If you return and they are sitting in the bed, give another treat and lots of petting.

If you come in and they are going crazy, just totally ignore them. Sit in a chair nearby but take not notice until they even slightly calm down.

If you repeat everyday for a few minutes, it starts to prepare them for the future.

I hope this helps, but honestly I swear by the puppy sleep music, look on youtube there is loads.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Never tried the sleep music but there is a similar technique using a visual signal that means that no attention is available. This is used when the owner is present until the dog understands to go and settle down when the visual signal (something like a traffic cone or garden ornament) is placed on view. It can then be used when you go out to signal that, even if you were there, there is no attention available.

Simply put, signal out, no attention.

Signal away, attention available.

It is a fine balancing act to ensure that your puppy is happy and contented and teaching him to relax when you go out. Most of us make lots and lots of fuss of a new puppy and they become bereft when we go out and take all that attention with us!

Try to cool your relationship a little. Pay attention to your puppy when he is being independent and playing nicely or resting somewhere. Just a little smile and a tummy tickle will do. When he is being needy try to wait until he settles again before giving attention to him. Of course you have to balance all this with house training where you want him to let you know when he needs to go out.

Are you going to Puppy Socialisation Classes? Do try to find some run by the APDT. You will get lots of support for all the problems you are facing and will face in the future. All the other puppy owners will be going through what you are.

 

[Lesley1188]

Thanks for both of your advice.

He is really clingy to me when I am home, he tries to follow me around the house and whenever I sit down he wants to be next to me. He also likes to play with his toys and eat treats whilst sitting on my lap. So yesterday I got home and decided to ignore him a little bit. I sat on the coffee table (if I sit on the sofa he tries to get up on to it) and he tried to get up a few times but I just told him "off" (as in get off) and tried to get him to interact with his toys (which he did after a little coaxing).

I also left the room (stairgate on the livingroom door) and waited until he was quiet to return. I done this 3 times and on the 3rd time there was little to no crying and when I came back through he was lying in his bed sleeping! I'm still having a hard time getting him to go sleep in his bed when I am in the room though... it seems if I am there he just wants to sleep on me but if I leave the room he will go to his bed on his own. It's strange because he is perfectly fine at night time when we go to bed, it just seems to be sleeping during the day which is a problem. I am sure it will just take time though.

He doesn't get his second set of vaccinations until a week today and then the puppy classes stop for the christmas period so we're not able to join until almost the middle of January

 

[JoanneF]

You can still take him out before his vaccinations if you keep him in your arms - some people use a sling but a car carrier if you can get one or borrow one is ideal. It exposes him to valuable experiences while keeping him protected.

 

[Lesley1188]

Oh he has been very socialised so far, we take him in the car a lot to my mother in laws, my mums, our friends house who has a chihuahua and our dog walker does puppy visits (walking starting after xmas and new year) and she takes a dog along with her too to meet and play with him for a little bit! My sister also has a lab so taking Boris to meet him this weekend also

 

[gypsysmum2]

Ignoring when you first come in is fine. Once he has settled a little then I would give him a signal that it is cuddles and play time. You can then give him as much attention as you like.

At other times just ignore him when he approaches you. Do not tell him to get down or sit or anything at all. Just walk away and wait for him to amuse himself. As soon as he does then go to him and interact with him. Keep this up but do make sure you remember to interact with him when he settles. It is easy to think "Ah, he is playing, I will put the kettle on, nip to the bathroom" etc. He then gets ignored for doing exactly what you want him to do.

When rearing a puppy the mantra is - pay attention to the good behaviour and ignore the bad stuff. The puppy will learn to repeat the good stuff and, eventually, give up the bad behaviour. Be aware that, when you do this, the bad behaviour will get worse before it gets better. This is known as the "extinction burst". It is important to keep strong during this period. Most people think that ignoring is not working. In fact it is a sign that it is working so keep going!

 

[Lesley1188]

Thank you gypsysmum, this is really helpful.

What do you suggest I do when I do need to get stuff done? Should I keep him in the livingroom with the stairgate on the door or should I let him follow me about? When I leave him on his own behind the stairgate he cries and barks, I only go back to him when he is quiet and after a few times he "gets" it and he doesn't cry anymore but then the next day when I leave him again the crying and barking starts again

 

[gypsysmum2]

It is not very good for him to follow you around for attention. It is not the following but the attention he gets when you trip over him or can't resist a little tickle or cuddle!

Try to plan your chores around his sleep time. When this is not possible then wait for him to be quiet, build up to a count of ten, and pop to see him. Put a post it note up so that you do not forget to pay attention to him when he is quiet.

You might like to have a couple of toy boxes, three is a good number. They can have cheap things like plastic cartons etc in them. Rotate them so that only one box of toys is in use at any one time. If he is showing signs of being bored then you can put the current box away and bring out a new one.

It is all about building his confidence to play on his own sometimes. It is against a dog's instincts to be isolated so we have to gently teach them that they can do it.