Training to be alone

 Prevent:

• Check with the breeder, shelter or rescue you have acquired your puppy to learn if they have been introduced to a crate or confinement, if they have ever been away from their mom or siblings, and if they have been in any unfamiliar environments.  Hopefully they give you a jump start by working on some of these exposures prior to placement.

• Remember your puppy is a baby, and they will need time to adjust to your expectations.  Bring your puppy home when you have time to help them settle in and don’t need to leave them for any longer than they have learned to cope.  

• The maximum time any dog should be crated is 6 to 8 hours at a time.  Most puppies can be asked to tolerate being alone for their age in months plus one hour.  If you can’t be home to let out for a potty break, meal, and activity – hire a pet sitter, or have a neighbor/family member check in on them. A playpen with a potty area may be a better choice if you need to leave for longer durations.

• Record or live stream with your puppy when you bring them home, and throughout their development (it is nice to be able to check in).  This will help you determine if they are ok with being left alone. If your puppy seems distressed for more than 5 minutes, or restless for more than 15 minutes after your departure, alert your behavior professional to see if you need to adjust your plan.

What to Do:

• Offer food stuffed toys and chews that your puppy will not destroy or could be potential choking hazards.  This type of activity is a terrific way for a puppy to practice soothing themselves.  Getting special things when left alone will also help build strong positive associations when they need to be left alone.

• Play calm classical or reggae music. This can help mask outside noises, but these types of music have also been shown to help dogs settle and relax.

• Gradually increase the amount of time your puppy can be confined, then work to leaving them alone while you are in the house, then add leaving the house.  Return prior to them getting distressed and let them out of confinement when calm.  They should think that leaving and returning is a really boring game that people like to play.

• Work alone training when your puppy is a little tired and likely to take a nap.  This is the perfect opportunity to get things done around the house!

• Keep leaving and returning low key.  Wait to do exciting and fun things until after your puppy has had a chance to settle from the excitement of your returning home.  It is ok to say hi!  It is ok to take them out to potty right away.  Just try not to make a huge fuss as you walk in the door, or immediately offer their favorite activity.

• Letting a puppy ‘cry it out’ can have long term impacts and predispose them to developing anxiety as they grow.

• Dogs are social animals, so it is normal for them to initially feel distressed when left alone.  It is up to us to help them feel confident we will return before expecting them to cope with being left for longer durations.

• Soiling, destructive behavior, and vocalizing for long durations are not signs that your dog is angry when alone – these are potential symptoms of separation anxiety. Watch out for escape behavior at exits, lack of interest in food or chews typically eaten right away, heavy panting, drooling and restless behavior. Contact a behavior professional and your vet if you notice any of these behaviors.  They often appear between 6 and 12 months in puppies and after 2 weeks to 3 months in the home for adult dogs.