Leaving puppy for first time to get her used to it in case?

[BuildingQuote]

I have read about separation anxiety and our new puppy is laid back and easy but as I’m with her all the time I just want to make sure she’s getting all the right help so that if I do later want to leave her for an hour she is used to it and happy.

So far she sleeps in the kitchen on her own at night and apart from her first night and another night she needed to go out, she’s been so relaxed and doesn’t whine. When I go in at 7am she is often awake waiting quietly.

I haven’t crate trained her as she loves her bed in the kitchen but have been getting her used to playing in the crate and giving her treats in it.

I worry what she’ll do if I leave her on her own in the kitchen when she’s lively as she sleeps so much that when she’s awake I normally I let her let off steam and play with her or take her outdoors.

Many thanks for any advice!

[BiteyShark]

You don't say how old your puppy is?

Make sure where you leave her is puppy proofed. Buy a camera which you can view on your phone. Mine cost me £40 from amazon and I can watch him when I am out.

Then gradually leave her for a few minutes and build up the time. Give her a stuffed kong or something similar so she associates you leaving with something nice.

[Bathbombs]

Our dog came with separation anxiety as a rescue.
We began by leaving for v short periods-like 5 minutes.
Leave with no fuss and return with no fuss. We followed advice to completely ignore our dog on our return whether he was upset or excited until he’d settled down at which point we’d call him over for a stroke.
Gradually build up—we got up to an hour in the first week or so and then could increase more rapidly. Always with no fuss even if he’d scratched something or wee’d while we were out.

[anniehm]

We didn't crate, instead we used a small room with a wipeable floor. Do remove anything that can be chewed eg legs of chairs, but then you just need to do it for short periods at first. We left ours immediately for 3 hours (I'm pt) and also overnight he was fine . The chewing was a bit older but stopped by 8 months (he now seems annoyed when we ARE in all day!

[OverFedStanley]

Build up to leaving her unattended whilst you are still in the house. eg close the door and see what she does, then leave her while you hav a shower etc.

If you build up the time whilst you are in the house she should react the same when you leave the house.

If you want to use the crate I would start by putting her bed in it and leave the door open and see what she does

[Nesssie]

What OverFedStanley said. Put her in whilst you are doing something in the same room. Pop in and out regularly.
Feed her in the crate and don't ever put her in as punishment. No matter how tempting.

[BuildingQuote]

Thank you all so much, this is super helpful. I will start with the 5 mins when she’s awake and build up and also going to try putting her crate in the kitchen too so she gets a chance to use it more with it open. I’ll be careful to keep it a positive place ,and thank you all so much .

I’m also heartened chewing might stop at 8 months! She’s nearly 3 months btw