Puppy wont stay on its own

[Vanessavhj84]

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Hi,

I have a 4 month old Cockerpoo who just won't stay on his own. He goes into mass panic when I leave him in a room alone.

I've tried leaving him for 10mins everyday but he just doesn't improve. I've also tried leaving him with a Kong or chew but he just leaves it until I come back!

Any help would be great

Thanks

 

[gypsysmum2]

Dogs can easily become over bonded. It helps if the breeder pops them in a crate occasionally to accustom them to life with their new family away from their mother and litter mates.

When you are with him does he rest touching you all the time? Do you play with him all the time? If he squeaks do you respond? If so it is not helping him to become independent.

Try to distance yourself from him while you are with him. Just move away from him if he comes to try to rest on you (or anyone else). Keep it up until he will rest on his own with people in the same room.

Do not respond to his advances. Keep an eye out for the times when he plays independently and then join in. We tend to sigh a huge sigh of relief when our puppies play alone and take the opportunity to get on with chores etc. It should be the other way round. If he is being needy then ignore him, but, more importantly reward him with attention when he is being independent.

Once he is happier being ignored for short periods of time, practice going through the door and straight back again. Ignore him while you do it. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Eventually he should be happy with you doing this. Next go through the door count one second and come back. Repeat until he is comfortable. Extend to 2 seconds etc. You should, with lots of practice, be able to extend the time he is on his own in a room.

If, at any time, he cries for you to go back try to wait for a short break in the crying before going back into the room. If he finds that crying "works" to bring you back he will keep doing it.

Some of the toy breeds are very needy and you may have to work quite hard at building his confidence for him to grow into an independent dog.

 

[JoanneF]

Gypsysmum allways has great advice. I just wanted to add not to neuter him too soon. If you do it too early he may fall to develop the testosterone he needs to be confident and courageous.

 

[Vanessavhj84]

Hi, thanks for the tips.

He will often play independently and he will sleep on his own so long as I'm in the same room.

I've tried leaving the room for a few minutes but he just always follows me so if I shut the door that when he starts to go mad!

I will give the leaving and walking straight back in ago and see if he improves.

 

[gypsysmum2]

If you sit down does he come and rest touching you? We find this very endearing in our pets but it is not good for them. If he does it then move to another seat until he settles on his own and then you can sit with him or call him over. The approach is best coming from you and not from him. This goes for all attention. It should be instigated by you and not by him. He can have as much attention as you like but not when he demands/needs it. Just wait for him to settle/play and then give him attention. It is all about building his confidence that he can cope when left alone.

I agree with leaving his neutering until he is at least 18 months old. If he always lacks confidence then he may be best left entire.