[Lynn]

I would like to get some advice on how to start training my puppy to be able to send time by himself. He is 4 months old. I have had him with me 7 weeks now and He has been with me or my husband the whole time. I took time off of work when we got him to be home with him for a couple of weeks, and now I take him to work with me (we own a retail store, so I set it up with a ex-pen in my office). I also take him to the grocery store with me in a carry bag.

I want to get him exposed to a lot of people, so he can be out at times meeting people in the store. The people seem to really enjoy him and I like him with me.

He now gets upset when we are not insight.

 

[Laurief]

You have to let him cry for a bit, then go back. He has to learn that you will come back. We started that with Logan when he first came home & now if I put in in his xpen in the kitchen & I leave the room, he knows I will come back, so he settles down & plays with toys. If you start out by leaving him with a chew toy or bone, he may not realize for a while that you even left. I think that just like a new puppy leaving his littermates, you just have to let them cry a little. Within 3 days we had no more whining & crying.

 

[Rita]

I agree with Laurie. Plus, try to make it a gradual thing if you can. Start with a 1/2 or 1 hour for a few days. That should work. Do leave chewies and toys. I have heard that some people leave the radio on too. It makes them feel more comfortable.

Good luck.

 

[Cosmosmom]

Hi
This is a tough one and it takes time .
First you have to start just by leaving them for a few minutes . Go to the car out of the house and get something do not leave them more than 2 minutes . Go out and come right back trust me they will be waiting for you .
Then you have to do it while they are crated . Just leave for 5 minutes . Go outside - or a short walk around the house trust me they will howl . Then gradually extend the time . I agree with leaving the radio on T/v but not loud programs . Commercials can be a problem . There is a DVD a dog gie babysitting - the trainer at class said the brighter the dog the less they like this DvD . I am not too sure . Anyway some people suggest leaving the dishwasher on white noise . CD's of relaxing music in the beginning it does not matter because all they want is you . They will howl ...
You keep leave and come back and they realize that you will return and then it gets better . Keep doing it like the previous person said but for longer periods of time .
I cover the crate . He knows I am gone for a while . I learn it from my groomer and I find it does work better ..
Once you are home even if he is howling do not make a big deal or baby him just be matter of fact . Hi I am back .
Eventually it clicks in but it takes time no instant pudding here .
My little guy is a rascal at times so he gets a time out in the crate he knows what it means . Go in the crate for 5 minutes to think about it and then out . It all seems to help . He now stays on his own and goes to sleep for about an hour while I am gone .
.

 

[dboudreau]

One thing that helped with Sam is to not make a big deal about leaving or coming home. I tell Sam where I am going and give him his "Stay at Home Treat" and leave. When I get home I don't fuss over him, I just take him out to do his business just like any other time. He is getting better.

Debbie & Sam

 

[Lynn]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. I will try it. I thought I had the only havanese that went berserk when I leave. He is really good for everything else.

 

[Lynn]

Say I work up to leaving him for 30 minutes, would it be better to leave him in his crate, (he sleeps in it at night) or his expen?

 

[Laurief]

I would , if you are only ,leaving for 30 minutes. It helps them work on holding it and again, they realize that you do come back so they have to make the best of their "bed" As I a writing this we are doing that with Logan, and he is screaming his lungs out downstairs now. He will eventually calm down & lay down for a while. Bad night with him last night too, he whined and cried most of the night & went out for potty twice. He is stubborn!!!

 

[Cosmosmom]

Hi
I leave him in his crate not a ex pen . By nature they are den animals . The crate becomes their den . Trust me they feel safe in there . I never believed it but now i am a believer .. I thought it was like being banished from all the fun ..
When I am on the Computer Cosmo is always in the little den like area under my desk . He is happy there - just curls up and goes to sleep .
I think something that is important to remeber before you crate you dog to go out . Make sure he is exercised before hand so he is tired . Play with him or take for a short walk . That way he is more likely to fall asleep after a while ..
Also tell him have a nice nap and I 'll be back ..