[LabradoodleMum]

We have a 9 week old Labradoodle puppy who we got 1 week ago. She has pooped every time we have left her alone. Twice when she was confined to the kitchen with baby gates - we were only upstairs bathing the children for 20 minutes. The other times were when she was in her crate and we were gone for no more than an hour. She even pooped on her beloved bed which tells me that she didn't just need to go. She did it because she got herself all worked up. Now we feel trapped at home!

We have thoroughly exercised her before crating. We have left the TV on for her. We have added her favourite toys and a t-shirt smelling of my husband. Don't know what else to try!

Also her BM seem normal when she goes outside but her anxiety poos are very soft and consequently gets everywhere. Help!

[Lucky098]

Well, From what you are describing, I would say your baby puppy is suffering from separation anxiety.

Seeing as how you've only had her for a week, there is a good chance that she will outgrow this. 8/9 weeks of age is a proper age to leave mom and litter.

The designer breeds are very popular. But due to the high demand for these dogs, genetic and behavioral problems are rising. You basically purchased a "high end" mutt. Although many people love mutts, most people don't intend on purchasing a mutt. These dogs are bred on purpose. No one is taking into consideration the outcome of breeding the parents. Your puppy showing separation anxiety and actually protesting being alone, tells me that this is the breed, not the individual dog.

But seeing as how you got what you got, trying to fix this problem is going to be hard and is going to take some time.

The first thing you need to do is hold your puppy. Something is is not right in her world, and she is young enough where she needs comfort. Take her with you, involve her in your family, even if it is washing your kids. Leaving a puppy all alone for the first month of its life in a new home that is already experiencing bad behaviors will only make this work.

After a month of including your puppy in everything you do, start to wean her from you. Leave her a few minutes at a time by herself. Leave her toys, feed her during this time and see how she does.

Designate a toy that she really likes and leave it with her during this time she is to spend alone. Let her know that good things happen while being alone.

Introduce the crate. Her crate should only be big enough she can turn around and lay down. She doesn't need a huge, adult sized crate at this time. Big crates invite disasters.

Leave her alone for a few minutes at a time. When she is QUIET and being good, let her out and reward her and have her go outside immediately.

Also.. the more you feed a puppy, the more they poop. She should be fed approximately 2 cups twice a day. She no longer needs lunch. Breeders feed lunch to ensure and re-enforce weaning and to ensure that all puppies are being fed. Purchase a high quality puppy food. Anything you can buy at a grocery story is bad food. Foods I like for puppies is Purina Pro Plan puppy. Food is a major factor in house training. If you are feeding a lower quality puppy chow, and lots of it, then these little guys have no choice but to potty all the time.

Worms is another thing that makes house training hard. Puppies with an infestation of worms will potty more often and the stools range from hard and normal to slightly soft.

Hope I helped you.

[Alty]

A quick question.

Where did you get your puppy from? Pet store?