Distressing crying at night - puppy

[harrietk]

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We have a 16 week old Border Terrier. We got him at 12 weeks and unfortunately he was quite ill with diarrohoea and chest infection. He is fine now but we had to sleep with him for the first week administering rehydration fluids. As a result, now that we are leaving him downstairs in the crate, he cries (yelps furiously) for 1-2 hours. After that he sleeps very well for 8-9 hours and no toileting in his cage.

I assume he must have some separation anxiety. I leave him in his crate when I shower in the morning and he is getting much better with that. He also seems to be fine if I leave him briefly in the car to go shopping. I work from home so I don't have to leave him very often. For the sake of my family and our puppy I want to try to get the evening crying sorted out but don't want to have him in our room if that is going to lead to long-term separation problems.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Having him in your room should not cause long term separation problems if, when the time comes, you wean him out of your room gradually.

This can be done by, gradually, moving his crate nearer to the bedroom door. Then move it just outside but leave the bedroom door open. Put the crate just out of sight of the bed but leave the bedroom door open. Gradually move the crate further from the bedroom until he is downstairs where you want him to be. At first you might like to leave a worn item of clothing with him to help him settle. Always make sure he is warm.

if you work from home you will need to try hard to teach him to be independent. Do not pay attention if he follows you around. Do not allow him to rest touching you all the time. Pop outside occasionally just to teach him that you soon return. Give him lots of attention if he plays independently or rests somewhere independently of you.