Alone during the day
by Kari and Winnie
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
I need help. Winnie who is the most wonderful puppy in the whole world will not let me out of her sight. The problem is that I have had her by my side everyday since I have gotten her about 3 weeks ago. Now I have to go to work for 7 days for 7 hours a day. My fiance will come home and check on her and so will my neighbors but she will not even stay in a room by herself. I tried putting her in a playpen for an hour and some how when I got home she had gotten out of it without getting hurt. She won't stay in a crate at all without barking constantly. I have spoiled her. She has been sleeping with me for about a week now and sleeps through the whole night without an accident. By the way she is about 4 months old. I just don't know what I am going to do about me going to work. She even cried when I left her alone with my parents last week. Please I know if anyone has any ideas it will be everyone from MO. Thank you in advance.
DISCUSSION:
Kari-Have you tried putting Winnie in a bathroom with all her stuff? Eventually she will get used to being by herself. You might want to put her in for short periods on the week-end too, just to keep her used to it. Make it as comfortable as possible. I bought an inexpensive radio and leave that on also. Good Luck!
Laurie & Emma
Kari, I can't help you but I can relate to your stroy because Chardonnay is 4 months old now too and I have never left her alone. She goes everywhere with me, and if I have to go out I take her to a relatives or friends house. I tried leaving her in the crate (which she loves if I am next to it) and left. I listened through the window and she was very uspset. I guess we did the wrong thing from the start, but I can't have it any other way. This sounds crazy but maybe you could take her to someone's house while you work. I certainly sympathize with you.
Carol
Kari -- Although I have had my Lucca for almost one year now (unbelievable!), I can remember exactly what you are experiencing. I was able to be home most of the first two weeks we had him, and Lucca became very attached to me, so much so that I was concerned about seperation anxiety (his AND mine) once I returned to my normal schedule. I think it is great that someone will be checking on Winnie during the day. We have a "nanny" who comes in each day to feed, walk and play with Lucca. She walks him with two other small dogs which I think makes the experience even more fun for him and one I expect he looks forward to each weekday. If they can spare a half hour or more, you might ask your fiance and neighbors to walk, play with and feed Winnie when they come. We also got a wooden gate (much like a "baby gate" for children, but sold in pet stores) with a locking mechanism which fits in a doorway. At first we kept Lucca in the bathroom with his toys, water, bed and wee-wee pads. After a few weeks, he graduated to the bedroom which has been puppy-proofed. Another room, such as the kitchen, would work just as well depending on the space you have. I think one of the most important things to remember when you leave in the morning -- do not make a big deal, JUST LEAVE. I put Lucca in the bedroom, secure the gate, and do not even look back. He whined and barked at first, but now he just goes and curls up in his crate. I think he welcomes the quiet time to sleep, particularly after an active weekend. While it's nice to have such a devoted pet, it is even better to know that your pup can spend some time alone and learn to interact well with others. Don't worry, she will adjust and be a better dog for it.
JoanG
I got a couple of training videos from the library and they suggest the conditioning for this is to put the puppy in a room with a door, e.g., bathroom and LEAVE. No long hugs & goodbyes. When she whines or barks, knock on the door & say, "Quiet!" Then wait.. repeat! After a period of quiet, perhaps 5 minutes at first, allow her out. Do this several times a day when you're home. I suspect this would work well IF your baby already has had some training with the word "Quiet". We use "Stop" instead of "no". I have also used the crate in an adjoining room where my furbaby cant see me & called, "stop" when she whined.
Good luck! Oh, remember when you do get home, keep her sitting or at least calm while you take off your coat, etc. We do this and rather than big huggles & kisses right away, we take her outside. THEN we have all the smoochy things :)
Just keep patiently conditioning her to understand how her family life goes. :)
BeeGee
Kari - I have been told in the past to do it in stages - first leave her alone for 5 mintues and ignore all the crying and barking ( I know its difficult) . Then the next day make it 10, the following day increase to half and hour and so on it will take a few weeks - it does work in the end. I think the secret is not to give in to her. or how about another puppy?
Julia and Cassie
the best solution to the loneliness problem is get another one. it worked for me, i now have 3. :-)
maltymom
We got a sister to help Sophie with her loneliness. But before Sasha, I would leave a ticking clock in the kitchen (supposed to sooth them) and give her the kong ball filled with treats. She was so distracted by the kong ball, she didn't do any of the tugging at the heartstrings whining when I left. I've also read that you should leave a radio or TV on so they don't feel so alone. Some people even tape record their voices and leave it playing. They say the first hour or so is the hardest on them. You can also leave a night shirt or something with your scent in their crate or bed. Good luck!
Carrie, Sophie & Sasha
No matter how hard it seems in the beginning, dogs get used to and even learn to love thier crate - it is their private place. Both my maltese & my mutt are in crates while hubby and I work - they go into the crates in the morning by themselves. You have to try gradually as others said - build up time & praise the dog when she enters restricted area or crate. I heard putting pennies in a soda can & shaking it (around the corner, or otherwise out of site) can get dogs to stop unwanted barking, like when Winnie is 1st in crate. Good luck! It is tough leaving babies at home! :-(
Carrie, Babs & crew
Well the first two days of the 7 are done. Winnie did pretty well at home alone. The first day I have my fiance check on her and my neighbors did too. She whined a lot but she didn't have any potty accidents. The second day she whined less and still no accidents. I think I was more upset than she was. The worst part is when I get home she runs, jumps and shakes all over. Not to mention whine. But I love her she is still the best in the whole world (to me). Thank you for your advice we are going to try some of it this weekend now that we will have time to work on it. Thank you again and this is an absolutely GREAT website.
Kari and Winnie
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