How Can I Make My Pup More Independant?

[frankfurts]

My Tibetan spaniel is just over 8 weeks old and i have had him for 4 days, he is the most beautiful little pup but he follows me and my OH around the house all the time, he will only play by himself if he can see us nearby. In about 6 days he will need to be left home alone for about 6 hours because our work times conflict. I was gonna get my dad to come check on him every 2 hours or so but would just like some help how i can gradually build him to be used to being alone. At the moment i cant brush my teeth without him whimpering at the bottom of the stairs.

One other problem he appears to have a mystery itch, took him to the vet and they couldn't see anything, hey suspect possibly ear mites (scratching up around his neck all the time looking frustrated) but they gave him a dose of advocate and told me to give him another dose in 2 weeks. How long should it be before i see improvements?

Thanks for any help, i will really appreciate it.

[sandgrubber]

You gotta do what you gotta do . . . but a baby taken from his family is going to look to whatever he can find for support. Time makes pups more independent, as it does with human bubs. Have a good look at the puppy development calendar in the pinned section at the top of this forum. It may give you a better idea of what to expect of your pup, and understanding of approximately when he will need what sort of support.

[Simply Grand]

I took the first week I had my puppy Saxon off work to be with him. He stuck to me like glue the whole time, the first few days he would whimper even if I went around the corner into the kitchen before him and he couldn't see me for a second. He was only a baby though and in new, strange surroundings, and I was the only common link between his "before" family and this strange new place, so I figured if he wanted to be with me, he could.

After the first few days he settled in and didn't seem anxious any more but still followed me everywhere. He's 10 months now and mostly he still does follow me everywhere when we're at home. It has only been the last month or so that he won't jump up even when he's sound asleep in the living room and follow me to the toilet - but he still moves a few steps so he can look up the hallway towards where I've gone, then lies down again with 1 eye open until I come back

Even though he prefers to be around me when I'm home, luckily he seems to cope just fine when I go out. He slept in the bathroom behind a baby gate for the first couple of months I had him, so he was by himself but could hear and smell me across the hall, so he wasn't actually ever right next to me 24 hours a day, which might have helped (don't know your situation though).

After the first few days I started building up to when I had to go back to work, so went out for say 20 minutes a couple of times one day, leaving him in the bathroom with lots of toys to play with, bed, blankets, water and something to chew, and not making a fuss out of going or coming back.

Then the next day I went out for about an hour. Then next day a couple of hours, then again later for an hour or so... building up over the days until I had to leave him for work. I'm lucky to work close to home so the first few days I went home at lunchtime to check on him but he was fine so I started leaving him all day (8 hours-ish).

He hasn't shown any separation anxiety, not been destructive, and the neighbours tell me he doesn't bark or whine, and he doesn't make a fuss when I leave.

So for you, I'd say start now building up the time he is alone (as in you go out), make sure he has LOTS to do, including something yummy to chew on, while you're gone, make sure he's safe and comfortable, not too hot or cold etc, and don't make a fuss of going or coming. Hopefully he'll quickly realise that you'll always come back and that he can do lots of fun playing and sleeping while you're gone. Good luck!

[W Sibs]

It's still feeling insecure because it's still a baby and not use of it's surroundings.

My boy naturally follows me everywhere. Emmy is still a baby, so she likes to know where her mum is at all times.

I can't go to toilet or have a shower without having one or two of them in the toilet or bathroom with me. Can't wash the dishes without one or two of them in the kitchen with me. They are my shadows at home... I can give them a pig ear each, and they will carry their pig ear following me around... they will only settle down when I settle down to enjoy their treat.

I ignore them both while I'm doing my own thing.. if they want to be in the room with me, that's fine. But, Charlie knows I won't play with him till I'm ready too. Emmy is starting to learn that. But, they have each other to play with each other when I'm busy... in the same room as me, of course.

Charlie does not have Separate anixety at all... Emmy, we are still working on her being alone. But, so far, it's going good.

Edited May 10, 2010 by charleswentworth

[frankfurts]

im in a townhouse so its hard to leave him barking for any more than a few minutes, i'll talk 2 my neighbour and let him know what is happening, I bought 1 of those dap things which should arrive in a few days and also bought a puppy play pen with his crate, toilet toys and the like in it.

I left him in there for abou an hour to entertain himself and he wasn't happy a 1st, he then ate his kong and fell asleep. When he woke up i went to play with hem and he ignored me just the way i did to him the cheeky little devil i'll start to build up the time i leave over the next 3 days ready for friday when we both have to work lol

here is koda in his pen sleeping

[W Sibs]

Omgoodness.. sooo cute!!!

[Jen21]

Yep that's how I did it - build up the time I left my pup on his own, and always left him with bones, toys and fun things to keep him occupied while I was gone. Make sure you rotate the toys you leave with him each day, so that he doesn't get bored with them.