Need a morning routine !

[Vortek]

Pup will be going to ILs/puppy day car in mornings while I go to work, at the moment she wakes up about 6.30/7. Toilet, breakfast then I try her with a Kong or a chew while I have breakfast. But she doesn’t settle down for a nap till 9,30. So I can’t have a shower and get dressed as she won’t stay downstairs on own and if she comes upstairs she’s into everything.

There is a crate she happily sleeps in but won’t settle in otherwise.

She’s 11 weeks going on 12.

As she's so little this is just a phase and she'll soon be much easier in the morning.

Can you borrow a puppy pen? I got one second hand and if I needed to leave our puppy alone while I had a shower, put kids to bed etc I would put him in his pen. In there was a couple of toys, water and his crate (open). Luckily he didn't mind this but even if he complained I knew he was safe.

Meant to say - could you have the pen upstairs on the landing or somewhere he can see you but you know he won't come to harm and you can get on

You can't have a shower of get dressed
Seriously, pup won't settle or learn how to settle whilst you are being so neurotic.
I'd put pup in crate.

Stairgates to cordon off ‘safe’ areas for her?

Puppy pen?

Pop her in crate whilst you shower etc if she is a chewer/destructive and can’t be left in a more open space (like a gated kitchen/utility or a puppy pen)?

She gets anxious left in the crate or if we leave the room. I know I know we are creating a rod for our own backs. So how do I stop it?

I would make room safe or get a puppy pen, leave the puppy and have your shower! Puppy will cry but you will return after your shower, so you’re teaching them you will return.

Another suggestion would be to take puppy for a quick walk after their breakfast.

If she’s anxious about being left alone you need to build up her confidence in being left alone. It takes time and patience. You may need to be having your shower first thing, before you go down in the morning to get her out of bed.

Advice from the BlueCross

www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/home-alone-separation-anxiety-dogs

She is very little, it will get better. I remember feeling i couldn't even have a shower. Put her somewhere safe and have a quick shower. She will complain a bit but is safe and will learn that you come back. Don't make a fuss when you leave or come back, if you are anxious she will pick up on that.

To add, it will be time and repetition which will settle her anxiety. I am guessing she has only been with you for a few weeks given her age. I am not suggesting leaving her for any length of time but popping upstairs or outside, having a shower or going to the loo has just got to be done. She will get used to it.

At this age ours was a nightmare
She’d wet herself if I left her in the pen she was so panicked about it

I think people would say she’s a dog just leave her, but she was hysterical basically. No food, toys or anything subdued her. I couldn’t afford for her to have separation anxiety and so I just didn’t want to risk pushing it if I didn’t need to, for the sake of a few weeks not being able to shower or go make a cup of tea when I want to.

I spent lots of time working on her confidence and building up to time alone, working on settling, teaching her to play alone, and crate/pen training.

It was only a few weeks ago I was taking my time getting ready, even did my hair and makeup and I realised there wasn’t a peep from her and that would’ve been an impossible dream not too many weeks before!

Stick with it. What are you doing in that 1.5 hours pre nap? Can she go for a walk or do training - may make the nap happen a bit earlier so you can go get ready?

Thank you the last couple of posters. That really helps. She’s Whiney and barks when left on her own. I don’t want it to d3velop into full blown separation anxiety. And I have neighbors. She is getting better though and can be left for a minute or two now.

Good idea about some training. She also has a run round the garden, too little for walks.

I’m so sleep deprived!

You just need to get on with it. If she cries or barks, then that's what happens.