It Takes Some Training for Both You and Your Dog!
One of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of puppy training is teaching your puppy to settle and be content when alone at home. Dogs are inherently social creatures, so being left alone doesn’t come naturally to them. Many owners struggle with the frustration of not being able to leave the house without their puppy feeling distressed.
Creating a Calm and Confident Puppy
It’s our responsibility to help our puppies feel as calm and confident as possible while they’re on their own. With some time and patience, your puppy can learn to be happy and content at home alone.
Important Note: Before starting any training, remember that your puppy’s emotional well-being comes first. While some owners try to begin separation training from day one, this can actually cause more distress as the puppy may feel abandoned. Instead, focus on settling your puppy into their new home for the first few months, ensuring they are happy and comfortable before gradually introducing short periods of separation.
Step 1: Building Confidence Around Barriers
The first step in preparing your puppy for separation is to help them feel confident around barriers. Understanding that they can’t always have everything they want immediately will aid in not just separation training but also general frustration tolerance and impulse control.
Decide where your puppy will be left when you’re not home. Many puppy guardians choose a crate or pen to prevent destructive behavior or accidents. Selecting a crate that is just big enough for your puppy to stand, turn around, and lie down is ideal. If the crate is too large, they might use part of it as a toilet. If you prefer a larger crate for future growth, use dividers to limit the space initially.
If you’re using a pen, it can be slightly larger. Include a resting place, a designated toilet area, and some toys.
Encourage your puppy to rest in their crate or pen at various times during the day with the door open. This helps build positive associations with the space as a place of rest. Practice opening and closing the door while they are resting, rewarding them for staying calm.
This practice can also be done with baby gates and doors. If your puppy gets anxious when you leave the room, scatter treats outside the door to keep them busy while you slip away. For longer activities, like bathing.
Step 2: Gradual Departures
A Note on the “Cry It Out” Method: Modern dog trainers advise against leaving puppies to “cry it out” as it can cause emotional distress. This can lead to a state of learned helplessness where the puppy appears calm but is actually depressed.
Prepare your puppy for your departures gradually. Avoid making sudden, long departures. Start by standing up and sitting down again, then gradually extend the time you’re away. Pay attention to your puppy’s body language and progress at their pace.
Make your leaving routine as boring as possible. Dogs quickly pick up on cues that you’re about to leave. Combat this by making these cues meaningless, such as putting on your shoes and then watching TV, or picking up your keys and putting them down again.
Investing in a doggie camera or baby monitor allows you to monitor your puppy’s progress. If you don’t have one, using two phones, tablets, or computers to video call each other works too.
Leaving an item that smells like you can be comforting for your puppy. An old t-shirt or used socks can help them relax.
Avoid always leaving for incrementally longer periods. Mix in shorter departures occasionally to keep your puppy from figuring out the pattern.
Summary
Though teaching your puppy to settle and be happy alone can seem daunting, it’s one of the most important training steps. It equips your dog with lifelong skills. If you encounter difficulties, consider contacting a local rewards-based trainer for personalized support and guidance.
