Teaching your puppy that it is ok to be left alone.

Recent research has shown that as many as half of all pet dogs in the UK may react badly to being left alone at some point in their lives. Unless someone is at home all the time, this can cause major problems for owners, whose dogs may destroy the furniture, upset the neighbours by barking or howling, and generally make the owner feel guilty every time they leave the house. One of the most effective ways of preventing your dog from ever becoming anxious when he is left alone is to teach him right from the start that being alone is fun! To do this you need to very gradually increase the time that you leave your dog alone so that it is never frightening and always associated with something pleasant.

The important things to remember are;

• Build up the amount of time that you leave your puppy alone gradually.

• At first only leave your puppy for short periods (just a minute or two to begin with), so that he never becomes distressed.

• When you return, reward your puppy for being relaxed when left alone. Rewards can be toys, treats, cuddles or praise. If he becomes anxious and does not remain quietly in his bed whilst you are gone, do not reward him. Instead, simply try leaving him for a shorter period next time.

• If your puppy does cry, don’t return to him until he is quiet again. Returning in response to his cries will teach him that whenever he wants you to come back, all he has to do is make a noise and hey presto you will appear!

• Give your puppy nice things to chew on when he is left alone (a ‘Kong’ smeared with peanut butter or marmite is usually popular!)

• Your puppy will be more inclined to relax when he is left alone if he is tired. Have a fun play session with him, then wait a few minutes for him to calm down, before you leave him.

• Try to ensure that your puppy goes to the toilet before he is left alone.

Don’t get angry

If your dog does ever misbehave whilst you are out it is vital that you do not react badly upon returning home. One of the most common reasons why separation-related behaviour problems get worse is owners punishing their dogs when they return home. Your dog can only link its actions with the punishment if the punishment occurs within half a second of the behaviour. This means that punishment will be linked with your return, rather than the destruction, barking or toileting carried out some time previously. Your dog will then become anxious about what you will do when you return the next time he is left alone, and as a result of this increased anxiety the dog is more likely to chew or lose toilet control, making the problem even worse.

Although it is not easy, if you do find a mess upon your return it is essential that you never physically punish or shout at your dog. Try to even avoid letting your puppy see that you are annoyed -Let him out into the garden before cleaning up.