This means that other than resting your hand on the side of the crate or playpen, you must completely ignore your pup until they settle down. For some puppies, this can take up to 15 minutes, so you must be patient and wait out their cries, protests, and escape attempts until they finally do settle down.
The most ideal scenario is that your pup cries for a bit, but settles in under 30 minutes and falls asleep. Then you as the owner decide when to get your pup out — it's okay to wake them after a while and take them out of their crate.
Start out small by enticing your puppy into the pen with a favorite toy or treat. You may want to start off by keeping the pen door open so that your dog doesn't feel confined. As your dog gets more used to the pen or crate, you can begin to close the door and gradually increase the duration of their time in the pen.
Most pups will cry for around half the time. By the third night it should be just a few hours, and an average pup is quiet for the fourth. Once they are settled, you will actually need to go in at least once overnight to take them out to toilet!
A playpen should not be used to confine your puppy for long periods as this can lead to behavioral problems. Additionally, your puppy will outgrow the need for a playpen over time.
Once your dog reaches three months old, they can usually hold it for an hour for each month they've been alive. After six months, dogs can usually hold it for up to six hours. However, even adult dogs shouldn't be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break.
Never play tug-of-war or wrestling games with your puppy if you're having a nipping problem. These types of games encourage out-of-control behavior, grabbing, lunging and competition with you. These aren't behaviors you want her to learn.
We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights. Firstly, they may need the toilet, so it's important to take them out to check.
One of the most common mistakes new pet owners make is to give their puppies too much attention or to let them out once they start whining. It is important to allow a puppy crying in their crate to self-soothe a bit to ensure they do not whine and cry every time they are confined to receive your attention.
Sometimes puppies might cry due to boredom or lack of stimulation. If your puppy is crying more than usual, consider whether they could be in pain or unwell. Remember, although it can be frustrating when a puppy is crying constantly, they are trying to communicate with you in the only way they are able.
Puppies Often Grow Out of Crying
Even if all their physical needs are met, puppies may sometimes cry because they want something. Puppies can get bored (like the rest of us) and might cry because they want to play. Or they want a treat. Or they want to sit next to you on the couch.
Puppy separation anxiety happens when a puppy becomes stressed out about being left alone and the symptoms can actually begin before you leave the house. You might notice that your dog starts to pant, pace, whine, bark, or shake as you're preparing to leave.
A crate cover, like a blanket or crate-specific covering, can be beneficial to many dogs and can help reduce anxiety and soothe dogs by limiting visual stimuli, which in turn can prevent excitement and barking.
Try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, he'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he associates with going outside to eliminate.
Don't move without permission. Anytime you begin to move from one area of the home to another, ask your puppy to sit and stay for a second or two before you give it a release command to follow you. 6) Don't sit on the floor with your pup.
Many experts agree that a minimum of 2-3 hours of active interaction and engagement is appropriate for puppies. That may not really sound like a lot given it's only 8-12% of the total hours in a day. But keep a couple of things in mind: Puppies need between 18-20 hours of sleep which accounts for majority of the day.
First and foremost, your pup will get bored, and their energy levels will start to drop. They may even begin to yawn or look a bit sluggish and listless. Not playing with your dog means they don't get the mental and physical stimulation they need to stay happy and healthy, so they'll start to show signs of distress .
According to the American Kennel Club, puppies younger than 10 weeks cannot be left alone for more than an hour. From 3-6 months, they should not be left longer than their age in months (for example, 3-month-old puppies cannot be alone for longer than 3 hours).
Teaching Alone Time
In the beginning, even one or two minutes might feel too long for your puppy, but over three or four days, you should be able to build up to fairly long periods.
The bottom line. At night, your dog's crate should ideally be in your bedroom with you. Especially if you have a puppy, this location makes it easy to know if your dog needs you for anything, like a potty break.
If you choose not to use a puppy crate, have a soft, warm, safe bed that you can put on the floor beside you but set up a play pen or a barrier around it so your puppy is more likely to settle down and sleep – and so get into a sleeping routine – and can't wander off, chew things, play, or use various parts of your ...
Indestructible bedding is best for a puppy. Avoid piles of blankets and towels, which a puppy can reduce to shreds and then swallow.
Play training games and fetch. Use interactive puzzles. Work their mind as well as their body. That will keep them busy, happy, and too tired to be anxious while you're gone and if these tips don't help, see your veterinarian or certified animal behaviorist.
Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning
Teach your puppy that separation has its rewards. Start by leaving them for very short periods of time and gradually lengthen the amount of time you're gone.