Barking. Long sorry.

[FluffyPinkCloud]

Hello, I’d like some advice or just a hug please.
Fluffypup is 16 weeks old now. His daily routine looks like this:
6AM get up go for wee and have breakfast. Potter around the house and do a little training until 8AM.
8-9 he is put in a settle on his bed with a carrot, stuffed kong, chew etc.
9-10 we go for a walk by the river.
10-12 he is supposed to nap.
12-1PM he’ll have lunch.
Afternoon we go out somewhere to do socialisation (he is an assistance dog in training).
5PM he’ll have dinner.
6-7 he is put in a settle with a kong, chew, etc.
7-8 do a little bit of training with him.
9PM he goes out for his last wee and settles down for bed. Usually sleeps all night.
Ok so the problem we have is whenever he’s left to settle or go for a nap, he’ll bark. H doesn’t bark himself to sleep he will just bark and bark and bark. I’ve spoken to his trainer and as told to ignore him, leave the room if i must, praise him for any split second of quiet, give him something to tire him mentally. Hence the kongs and things. But those times when he’s not working/walking/spending time with me, he’ll bark the place down. Now i just do not know what to do. He’s a lovely puppy, very quick to learn, very eager to please and on the whole good all round. It is just the barking. Please help me stop it?

9-10 walk by river. Far too much for 16 weeks.
Far too much sustained training. A few minutes at a time is enough.
Do you suspect separation anxiety?

@Wolfiefan He doesn’t walk that whole time, 9-10 is the time i go to the river. He only walks for 20 minutes. Also, the training sessions are broken down into short segments with play in between. In answer to your question I do think he has mild separation anxiety.

If it is separation anxiety then the advice is don't leave him any longer than he's comfortable with. With my dog that meant don't leave her at all to start with! Then gradually increase how long you leave them. BUT the important bit is never to leave them so long that they get upset. That could mean you start by getting them used to you picking up your keys or opening the door. It doesn't mean leave for 5 minutes then 10 (with the dog crying the whole time.)
You can set up a camera to see if he's distressed when you're not there.
If it isn't separation anxiety then adaptil, covering the crate, leaving a stuffed kong, covering the crate and leaving a radio on can all help. Good luck!

Thanks.