Mixed messages

[Ann McGregor]

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Hi, thanks for accepting me onto your forum. 2 weeks ago a brought my 12 week old, beautiful mini poodle home and all is going well. I have a cage joined onto a puppy pen in the living room and he sleeps right through the night no problems, but in the morning once he's been out the back, we've had a cuddle, I put him back in with his breakfast on a lick mat, but he whines and isn't happy. Should I persevere, I've tried using a stairgate to keep him out the bedroom, but he's worse! Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks Ann

 

[JudyN]

You say 'I've tried using a stairgate to keep him out the bedroom' - do you mean that you've gone back to bed, and want him to settle down again? Is he actually eating his breakfast, or whining straight off?

 

[Ann McGregor]

You say 'I've tried using a stairgate to keep him out the bedroom' - do you mean that you've gone back to bed, and want him to settle down again? Is he actually eating his breakfast, or whining straight off?

I wish I was going back to bed! I live on my own and need to get ready without a puppy pulling at my clothes and I'm trying to get him into a routine. He eats his breakfast and then starts to whine, I guess my point is that his pen/cage is his safe place, so should I persevere? Thanks Ann

 

[JoanneF]

So is it that he doesn't want you to be out of sight?

 

[JudyN]

In the early days, it can be best to let the pup follow you around as much as he wants, so he feels secure and doesn't fret about feeling 'abandoned' (even if you're literally the other side of a stairgate). You could try letting him come into your bedroom but given him something to entertain him other than your trouser legs... A cardboard box with treats inside can work well, as he'll enjoy shredding the cardboard.

In the meantime, try the 'flitting game', described about 2/3 of the way down here: https://www.thecanineconsultants.co.uk/post/separation-anxiety-fact-vs-fiction You could also try teaching a 'calm settle':

It can be tricky to get anything done when you have a pup, particularly if you're on your own, so I wouldn't set your expectations too high at first - think of parents of human babies who have to do everything one-handed while carrying

 

[Ann McGregor]

So is it that he doesn't want you to be out of sight?

Yes, but at night he's settled and happy on his own downstairs

 

[JoanneF]

Yes, that makes sense.

A good way to teach him to be more independent is Emma Judson's Flitting Game.

It's described about ⅔ of the way down this page.

https://www.thecanineconsultants.co.uk/post/separation-anxiety-fact-vs-fiction


Edit - sorry @JudyN, I didn't notice you had already linked that.

 

[Hemlock]

That's good, and presently he will be more settled during the day as well. It all takes time.

It isn't for ever. I suggest you get up an hour earlier (sorry) so after he eats his breakfast you can take him outside and let him potter about while you watch. This way he gets company as well as something to do, and also a chance to empty out. Good practice for you too, because as pup gets older, you will be getting up early to walk him before work anyway.

 

[Ann McGregor]

Yes, that makes sense.

A good way to teach him to be more independent is Emma Judson's Flitting Game.

It's described about ⅔ of the way down this page.

https://www.thecanineconsultants.co.uk/post/separation-anxiety-fact-vs-fiction


Edit - sorry @JudyN, I didn't notice you had already linked that.

Thanks so much.....that's really helpful

 

[Ann McGregor]

That's good, and presently he will be more settled during the day as well. It all takes time.

It isn't for ever. I suggest you get up an hour earlier (sorry) so after he eats his breakfast you can take him outside and let him potter about while you watch. This way he gets company as well as something to do, and also a chance to empty out. Good practice for you too, because as pup gets older, you will be getting up early to walk him before work anyway.

Thanks, I'm up at 7 to get him out the back and then we have a wee cuddle and a play. Been on AL for 2 weeks, but now back at work albeit working from home and will get a routine going....for only having him 2 weeks he's done brilliantly. Thanks

 

[Hemlock]

You are doing brilliantly too! It's one heck of an upheaval even with an obliging puppy.

 

[Ann McGregor]

You are doing brilliantly too! It's one heck of an upheaval even with an obliging puppy.

Thanks....he is a great wee guy and I think he's done so well for only being with me for 2 weeks and as everyone keeps saying the baby teeth, bitey stage won't last forever....thanks everyone for all your support

 

[JoanneF]

I came across this earlier. I think it is really good -

Kidnapped From Planet Dog - Whole Dog Journal

 

[Ann McGregor]

I came across this earlier. I think it is really good -

Kidnapped From Planet Dog - Whole Dog Journal

Thanks

 

[Hemlock]

Very good article. Only a couple of things I'd take issue with, and nobody agrees with anything about dog training 100%!

I'd be very careful about promoting 'puppy play dates' with other dogs as many owners and puppies think that should extend to all dogs. Lots of us (dogs and people) wish other dogs to keep away.

Saying "No" should be extinguished. People tend to do it far too often, as well as "telling a dog off" but those are sounds a human makes when stopping a dog from doing something it either wanted or needed to do. If we expunge the "No" from our vocabulary and just redirect the dog, or think ahead and make it undesirable/impossible for it to do those things, then reward the dog for doing what we have directed it to do, our relationship moves on happily.

I didn't say it was easy! But as the writer says, the key is empathy.