Crying puppy

[Doha]

Mylo is now 19 weeks old and still crys constantly when left alone.
My son was upstairs again this morning (studying and not moving about) and my DH and l went out for 2 hours--he barked and cried for 1 1/2 hours. This is normal now. It is getting to the stage that l don't want to leave him as l am sure that although we live in a detached house the neighbours will soon complain.
We have tried the going out 5 mins and returning ertc but nothing is working and it is breaking my heart to hear him.
He is generally a very timid pup (cocker spaniel) and at puppy training last night it was remaked upon again just how timid he is. He left him mum at 9 weeks so l don't think the issue lies there.
Any suggestions as to how l can get a wee bit of my life back, when going out on Saturday night l have arranged for a dog sitter so he won't cry the 3-4 hours l am out...

What happens when you go out of the room for 5 mins?

If we leave the room even for 2 minutes- and he is not in his crate ---he flings himself at the door howling, when we return you would think we had been away for hours.
When l go to works in the morning ( and he knows l am going as he hides when l put my coat on) l put him in his crate and he strtas to howl before l reach the front door.
I knew having a puppy would be a life changing experience but this is worse than my DC's

Our 1 yr old Golden Retreiver comes to work with us every day and he is very attached to my husband....a lesser woman would feel jealousy such is the pathetic level of adoration that DH gets from him ! When we leave him for 3- 4 hours if we go to the pub for a meal he likes to find a book off the bookcase and eat it - the gundog manual was last Friday night's choice ! If my husband goes out he sits in the hallway and pines for him, lying by the door until he comes home. Our friend has a cocker who also is put in his crate when she goes to work and he hates it. If you can get him to be with someone whilst you are at work it might be best as he knows he's going to be shut in for 3-4 hours and is probably bored. Cockers like Goldies are intelligent and will run around for hours if they can, they are working dogs and so like to be out and about and with their master/mistress.If your in a rural area I would suggest he progresses on to a gundog club, the change in our "family Goldie" to " picking up at a shoot Goldie" is amazing and you can really see what they were bred for.Don't worry too much what people say at puppy classes , how on earth your pup is supposed to concentrate with all those other dogs running around god only knows ! Try some one to one training with a whistle and a dummy, you can find plenty of training advice on the internet, Cesar Milan does some good books too.

Thanks Green, the problem lies that DH is at home with him 98% of the day and it is the 2% of the day that is the problem. When l put him in his crate it is usually when my DH is in the shower or running DD to school.
We can't go to the cinema or out for a meal any more due to his crying. Holidays will be a problem in that we have had loads of offers to look after him -after all he is gorgeous- but l am scared that he will cry constantly.
Gosh l am a woose.
This year we are staying in the UK with him,,,,

But l love him

Have you tried covering over his crate so it's like a safe little den? Also put something which smells of you in there with him.

cminor thanks we put a black Ikea blanket over 3 sides of his crate but only at night,mainly to keep him warm Do you think we should do this during the days as well?
I havent tried something that smells of us but will try that tomorrow..

Thanksa

How about something distracting? Stuff a Kong with natural peanut butter and bits of treats ( bits of apple, ham, carrot...you can keep these in the freezer) and give it to him when you have to leave. Will keep him busy for a while and make him look forward to crate time.

I sympathise, I've been there. Also have a very nervous dog, and he cried piteously as a puppy, when ever I was out of sight.

This is what worked for me:

Yes, cover the crate during the day. It needs to feel safe and den like, so only leave one side open. He will be reassured nothing bad is going to jump on him from behind. If you have a cubby hole, or under work surface knee hole for the crate, even better.

Establish a routine, where he is on his own for certain periods every day. I did this from day one, and within a few days the crying diminished. If you are with him 98% of the day, every day, he is going to develop long term separation anxiety. Try putting him in his crate when he is tired after food/toilet/playtime.

The five minute thing didn't work for me either btw. Going for a routine did, but it did mean a few days of being yelled at (I'm suspect I will be shot for this....)

Water in the crate, always. If he's crying he'll make himself thirsty, and if there is no water he'll cry because he is thirsty.

Leave the radio or TV on.

Hover outside the door if need be, and only go in to him when he is quiet. He will pause occasionally.

When you come in, don't look at him or go to him until you have sorted yourself out - hung coat up, put bag away etc. It just helps to reduce mad hysteria over 'mummy's home'.

On a different note, if he is nervous go OTT on the socialising with other dogs, not just at classes, but out and about. Mine has developed nervous aggression towards other dogs and that is a much tougher nut to crack and crying!!!