Any help appreciated

[Sonya Anderson]

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Hi we have a gorgeous puppy named Bella, 12 weeks and doing great, toilet trained, sleeps overnight in crate until about 6... crate trained following the training guides. The issue is we have tried over the last week to leave her in crate during the day, for very short spells - 5, 10, 15 mins and she gets so distressed she soils the crate. She never does this any other time and regularly goes in her crate herself during the day and loves it... so the issue is when we leave.. this is happening daily.. any kind advice? Thanks

 

[merlina]

Hate crates so advice would be to try other methods...she's a very young puppy and has had a huge change of lifestyle- you say yourself she is getting distressed so my first impulse would be to stop doing what's distressing her. She is not used to be alone- give her more freedom and distractions... leaving a puppy in a room with toys, things to destroy (cardboard is good) and maybe background music, radio seems to me much kinder.

 

[Sonya Anderson]

Thank you

 

[JoanneF]

It sounds like she is very upset at you leaving, which is understandable in a baby. Rather than leave her contained in a crate, I'd suggest the flitting game which is described about ⅔ of the way down this page - https://www.thecanineconsultants.co.uk/post/separation-anxiety-fact-vs-fiction

 

[JudyN]

If she's happy for you to leave her when she's out of the crate and isn't destructive, I'd do that. If she's still not happy when you leave... have a read of this post: Separation anxiety

 

[Sonya Anderson]

Thanks both I will have a read... she loves the crate when we are in, she’s lying in there now with her toy chewing away... no probs overnight so as you say separation anxiety - I know she’s only a baby so it’s to be expected... just don’t like seeing her so distressed. Appreciate the advice it’s been over 14 years since we had a puppy all advice is appreciated