Separation Anxiety

jessica6383

What is the best way to prevent separation anxiety?

How long alone is too long? How much time does a pup need? If we work 8 hour days and take our pup to puppy daycare 1-2 per week, and give her nights and weekends, will that be enough? It's so hard to have a pup and a job to support that pup, isn't it?

opokki

The best way to prevent separation anxiety is to gradually get your puppy used to being alone. For instance, it might be a good practice to occasionally confine your puppy for short periods, leaving her with a safe chew toy to work on while you do chores around the house, read, watch some TV, run to the store, ect. Never make a big deal of coming and going....as difficult as it might be, its a good idea to ignore your puppy for a few minutes upon returning home and for a few minutes prior to leaving.

A young puppy will not be able to be crated for 8hrs at a time. So if you work full time you'll need to set up a long term confinement area with an indoor potty area, have a friend or relative come to relieve the pup a few times while your at work, or take the puppy to daycare on the days you work until its old enough to be left alone for the entire day.

Dulce

How old is the puppy?

jessica6383

I don't actually have my puppy yet. We are still looking for our perfect match; we just want to make sure we are as prepared as we can possibly be so that our pup comes home to the perfect nest! When I get her, I am planning to take 4-5 days off of work, and my boyfriend will be home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She will have a big pen with a smaller crate inside it and access to a doggy door onto our balcony with a grassy potty area. 1-2 days a week we were planning on taking her to doggy day care, so that leaves only 1-2 days that she would be home alone with all sorts of puzzly-toys to keep her thinking, and at least an hour of play and training time every night. Does this sound appropriate? Will our puppy be happy and healthy with this lifestyle? I appreciate everyone's thoughts and insight. Thanks guys!

opokki

Sounds fine to me. Its great that you are planning ahead. Good luck!

Dulce

A puppy should NOT be alone 8 hours a day. Not even 2 or 3 h ours.

Puppies need constant direction, and companionship.

Do not consider a puppy if you aren't prepared to be with the dog A LOT, and give it A LOT of attention.

jessica6383

What are your thoughts considering that we plan to take her to puppy daycare in order to help her become socialized with both people and dogs? I also plan to take our first week together off of work, and Graham, my boyfriend, will be home Tuesday/Thursday, with both of us attentive to the dog on the weekends. The one or two days a week that she is not at puppy day care or with graham or i, I plan to come home for a mini-train/play session during lunch (I live about 10 minutes from work).

I appreciate everyone's advice and insight, and I take it very seriously. I know without a doubt in my mind that I want a dog, not only as a companion, but also to help this pup become the best pup that she can be. I plan to train her regularly in behaviour, tricks, and agility, and we would love to get her Good Citizenship Certificate so that we can go and volunteer occassionally on the weekends.

Thoughts?

jessica6383

So, while there will be times where she is alone for 2-3 hours, we don't forsee her being alone 8 hours, despite the fact that we both work full time. Forgive the rapid posting; I just realized that I wasn't very clear in my last post.