Separation Anxiety - Helping Your Puppy Cope
Your Puppy and His Crate
Don’t lock your puppy in his crate for long periods of time when you first introduce him to it. It’s better to introduce the crate when you are going to be home for a few days. Follow these tips for a positive crate experience:
- Put the puppy into the crate and close the door for two to three minutes while you remain in the room.
- Open the crate and let the puppy out.
- If he was well behaved, give him a nutritional treat, such as a piece of cheese or apple. If he whined, cried or barked while he was contained, give him nothing.
- Gradually increase the amount of time that you leave the puppy in his crate while you are in the room. Reward him when his behavior is calm.
- Begin putting your puppy into the crate and leaving the room for short periods of time, starting with a minute or two.
- Come back into the room, and then leave again for a couple of minutes.
- Gradually increase the time that you spend out of the room.
- If your puppy remains calm, always reward him, speak gently, pat him and give him a treat. If he cries, barks, howls or whines, he gets nothing.
- Do not let your puppy out of the crate until he calms down.
- Never go directly to the crate when you get home from work or from being out.
- If your puppy remains calm, release him, pat him, praise him and give him a treat.
- At this point your puppy will need to go outside to the bathroom. He will not eliminate or defecate in his crate, as that is his den.
- If possible, have someone visit your puppy during the day and take him out for a bathroom break and a walk. Ask them to spend a bit of time playing with him to burn off pent-up energy.
- Teach the person who will be doing this to place your puppy back in the crate and leave immediately, without fuss. If they fuss, it will make your puppy’s anxiety level escalate.
- Stay on schedule when possible. This allows your puppy to know when to expect your arrival.
- Take your puppy out for a morning walk before leaving for work.
- Put an indestructible toy or two in puppy’s crate. Fill a Kong with peanut butter. This will help your puppy pass the time while you’re gone.
- Leave the house without fuss. Give puppy a pat and leave immediately after using a phrase such as, “See you later.” If you use the same phrase every time, your puppy will soon learn its meaning.
- Be sure your house is puppy proof in case he escapes his crate. Yes, this is possible.
- Be persistent. Don’t give up. If your puppy escapes his crate, find a way to secure it. You may have to buy a lock, a clamp or even tie his crate shut.
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