8 week old pup & seperation anxiety

[Elsiepup]

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We have just welcomed a new female, 8 week old, Morkie pup, Elsie, into our home.

Over the past couple of days I've noticed Elsie is very clingy. She has to follow you everywhere and sits at your feet when you stop. If she's tired she'll stay on her bed or in her crate no problem. However, if she's awake, god forbid you leave that room for even one second as she cries relentlessly.

Both me and my partner work, however my partner works 8-5 and then I go to work 7-11 so there is always someone home. I feel terrible when I have to do the school run because she frets terrible in her cage.

How do I help her calm down and start to enjoy time in her cage? It's very hard to hear her cries although I known she is fine.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Caro Perry]

She's very little, left her Mum and siblings and feels lost in a strange world. You are her security now.

Harri was velcroed to me for the first month or so and I just accepted that. He'd sleep on my feet and accompanied me everywhere. If you try and leave her you may well lay the foundations of separation anxiety. Just let her be with you - that's what she wants and needs right now. If she sleeps OK in her crate than that's a bonus at the moment.

Can she go with you on the school run in your arms or a puppy sling?

 

[Elsiepup]

M

She's very little, left her Mum and siblings and feels lost in a strange world. You are her security now.

Harri was velcroed to me for the first month or so and I just accepted that. He'd sleep on my feet and accompanied me everywhere. If you try and leave her you may well lay the foundations of separation anxiety. Just let her be with you - that's what she wants and needs right now. If she sleeps OK in her crate than that's a bonus at the moment.

Can she go with you on the school run in your arms or a puppy sling?

thanks for the reply!
I have absolutely no problem with her attachment as I do realise she is only a pup and needs the security, however I don't want her to get too frightened when I do have to leave her. The school run is the only time she is left alone. Unfortunately, my child's school has a policy that dogs are not allowed on school grounds. I am only out the house for around half an hour but she does cry as soon as I shut the crate and I can hear her crying before I reach the front door when I am back.

I was just wondering if there was any way of making them more comfortable for those times when you cannot take them somewhere.

 

[JudyN]

Is it possible for you to wait outside the school grounds to collect your child? Or have a word with the teachers and say you've been advised that it's best for pups not to be left at this age but that she will be carried (or in a pet carrier?) the whole time as she's too young to walk outside anyway? Or could a parent you're friendly with either collect your child, or look after the pup while you collect theirs? Or you could leave her with a friend/neighbour?

It really is better if you can avoid leaving her at this time - the secret both to preventing and fixing separation anxiety really is to work within the dog's comfort zone at every stage. An excellent book on the subject is I'll Be Home Soon by Patricia McConnell.

 

[Dami]

I have this same thing with my puppy at the moment, sitting at my feet, following me around etc. The only thing I worry about is having to leave her when I need to go the doctors (Today) and on Sunday when I'm going to a restaurant (Mother's Birthday)

 

[JoanneF]

I am not a fan of leaving puppies to cry in their crate. You want it to be their safe place, not somewhere they get anxious. Crate training has to be done slowly, if she gets distressed you have gone too fast. This is a great guide to crate training - Crate Training - Step By Step Guide to A Distress Free, Force Free Crate Trained Dog or Pup by Emma Judson

During the day though it is a good idea to start building independence. While she is occupied with something like a toy or Kong, walk out of the room then back in before she gets anxious. You want her reaction to be "oh, you are back, I didn't notice you leave".

I also recommend taking her out in a carrier, a sling or even your arms. It will massively help her confidence if she experiences all the new sights and sounds from a safe place.