[Lotte73]

I am trying to train my shih tzu puppy to stay home alone. I will be going back to work after having the summer off, she is 15 weeks old. I have done it gradually over time, but she just seems so upset when we get back and has pee'd on the floor! She also won't leave my side after I get in! Any advice or help with this problem will be great. I am going back to work on Monday, I work part time so she will be left 4-5 hours a day, I know this is not ideal but it has to be done!

Thanks in advance :)

[shazamataz]

It seems you have already started what I usually suggest but I will post it anyway as the second part may help you...

Does your dog cry when you leave the room? Urinate only when you leave the house?
These are a few signs that your dog may be suffering from Separation Anxiety.

Some dogs do not like being left alone and some will think you are leaving them permanently and not coming back. Here are a few tips to help fix this problem.

When you leave, no matter how long for always have fresh water available. Toys are also a wonderful training tool as it will keep the dog distracted, I use kong toys stuffed with yummy food as a cure for boredom, having special toys or treats that the dog gets only when you go out are also a wonderful idea.

When training my own dogs for separation anxiety I first distract my dogs with their favourite toy and then exit my house through the front door.
I only leave for a minute or two, just long enough so that the dog does not bark or cry.
I then re-enter the house and give them praise for not crying.

Next time I go out I leave for a few more minutes, again only entering the house if the dog is not crying and giving praise.

Increase the amount of time you leave for and always come back before the dog starts crying (you will learn how long that threshold is pretty quickly)

This teaches the dog that you are going to come back and they are not being left alone forever.


Another technique is to not "baby" the dog.
Some dogs become overly attached to their owner and don't even like their owner being out of their line of sight, in this case the training needs to begin before you start going out

Start paying less attention to the dog, when he pushes for attention, don't give it to him
If he wants to be petted, make him wait.
As harsh as it sounds it is the only way to get the dog to start becoming less dependent on you.

After you have trained the dog to be less clingy you can move onto things like leaving the dog in the living room while you have a shower, or leaving him inside while you are out hanging up washing on the clothesline.

[Lotte73]

Hi Shaz,

We have tried all of the above, a kong, toys etc...
She cries the minute we leave her in the kitchen, she even knows when we are going to leave her as she tries to get out the door!

She has also started playing up at bedtime as well! She used to love her crate, but now she is waking up earlier and earlier and crying to get out, she is completely attached to me, its making it hard for the whole family to be honest!

[shazamataz]

You need to step back and take less of a dominant role with her.

Get other family members to feed her, walk her and play with her for a while.
I know it's hard when they are so young and cute but if she is very attached to you then it is the best thing for her so she is less upset when you leave.
Once she has detached herself from you a little then you can go back to normal.

[Lotte73]

Hi Shaz, We are having a nightmare with our pup! She has been crate trained for about 3 weeks now and was great, but the last few nights she doesn't want to get in it! Last night she cried nearly all night in it, we are back to square 1 with her!! I was so pleased when we finally got her settled, but now she is back to the way she was when we first got her, could this have anything to do with the fact I have started leaving her alone? I did it gradually though.

[shazamataz]

That's not good, I thought we had the problem sorted :(

You could try leaving her in the crate when you go out instead of the kitchen.
She might settle better being in a more confined space.

It's just a guess but maybe she has the mindset that if she is allowed in the kitchen during the day, why does she get locked up at night?

It's a hard one, all my dogs have the routine of kitchen when we go out and crates at bed time.

She is only young and it may be something she will grow out of but I'm sure you want some sleep before then!!