How do I start to leave my puppy...

[Newpupsoon]

My puppy is just over 10 weeks and she’s been here just over 2 weeks now.
She likes her crate and will take toys in there and takes herself off for sleeps in there. She’s happy with the door closed or open.
In a few more weeks I will need to start to leave her for short times (an hour or two).
I clearly need to start her getting used to being left a little bit but don’t want to traumatise her.
I need a plan to follow...anyone got one?

[longearedbat]

With ours we just started by leaving her in the crate in the sitting room while we went into the kitchen to prepare/eat our evening meal, so out of sight, but not out of earshot. By that time of the day she was recently fed and tired out, so she usually went to sleep. We just expanded on that. (Like leaving her in there while i was doing housework, so again, she could here me, but not always see me) However, we never crated her when I/we went out, but shut he in the kitchen with toys, lighting (if necessary) and the radio on. She is small so couldn't counter surf. Tbh, though, she never cried, even as a puppy, so she's probably not a very good example. But, start with short periods and build on it, basically.

[longearedbat]

*hear, obviously!

[RubbingHimSweetly]

Agree with pp, start small and build up. I have a giant breed pup so he is still crated when we leave as he could do so much damage to the house and himself. We started by putting him in there with a kong and leaving him for 10 minutes. Then coming back and letting him out but in a really cool, no fuss no big deal kind of way. Then we built on this. Sometimes we leave on the radio or fan to block sound from outside. We also got a WiFi baby cam monitor so I can check on him when we're out (and in case anyone complains he was barking we can rewind the video and check/prove he wasn't). He's very chill and loves his crate.

[Newpupsoon]

@RubbingHimSweetly what would you put in a kong? Do you reduce your dog’s food at meal times to allow for the kong? Would the food in the kong not make him/her need to poo?

[RubbingHimSweetly]

I just smear some peanut butter inside the edges of the kong so it took ages for him to lick off. If you're worried about your dogs weight you could cut some of his meal to make up for it. Another one we did was kibble and yoghurt mixed together then frozen - takes ages! More likely to need the toilet after though :)

[Newpupsoon]

@RubbingHimSweetly just ordinary peanut butter or special dog peanut butter?

[RubbingHimSweetly]

I use ordinary - make sure it has no xylitol in though as that is toxic to dogs. I got smooth so there wouldn't be little bits to get stuck in his teeth

[Teacakeandalatte]

Get him used to going in the crate with a kong while you are there, then leaving him with it for short periods. Also sometimes give him the kong when you are around. This way he doesn't associate you giving the kong with you leaving.

[Newpupsoon]

Thanks all. I’ll start giving the kong tomorrow and see how we go xx

[RubbingHimSweetly]

Ah see I disagree with Tea, I only give him the kong when I'm going out so he associates me leaving with a treat. It works for us, you just have to find out what works for you and your pup.

[Teacakeandalatte]

You could compromise on this by using a nicer filling for the Kong when you go out and something more everyday when you are home.