Dog outside or dog inside?

[Moveslikejagger1]

Hi all, I have a 5 month old pup. Due to lockdown and his breed he is bad at being left alone. To hold my hands up we haven’t been great at leaving him on his own either. The most we’ve left him is 15 mins and he has howled/whined/paced the entire time (watched him on video). We’ve been leaving him in our kitchen/diner and have been building up from 1 minute to no avail.

A friend suggested putting a dog run outside with nice kennel and fake grass and getting him used to being in his on out there with a sandpit and some plants and toys and then obviously stimulation from being outside and birds etc. Would this he better for him? Friend said that their dog used to whine a lot When put in there but now spends an hour or two there happily. His dog is only 2 months old though so I’m now worried we’ve messed up and left it too late.

Dog is going to daycare if we are away for the day or in work but we need him to be happy on his own for a few hours while we go to shops or to visit friends where we can’t bring him. Obviously we are still not really seeing anyone at the minute or we are but outside so it hasn’t been an issue but just thinking down the line.

Also I was thinking should we instead stick with inside as that’s where he is most of the time and if we say went to cinema he might not like being outside if it’s dark. We could get a sensor light if outside would be better?

He loves our garden but is only happy out there if we’re in his eye line ( so if we’re sitting out having a coffee he will play away himself but the minute we go inside he’ll run in with us or scratch the door if we close it)

No children in the house but hoping to have some if that should influence the decision. Money also no object re putting in a run or doing whatever we need to do.

Any advice greatly appreciated!! He is currently asleep in between myself & DH I’m worried we’ve ruined him.

[Wolfiefan]

Please check out Dog training Advice and Support on FB @Moveslikejagger1
Our first pup couldn’t be left at all. I once tried to pop to the next room for a quick wee and she started to eat through the wall!
Their advice saved us. She’s now perfectly happy to be left.
You mustn’t leave your pup for any longer than it’s comfortable being alone for. That may mean not leaving it alone at all for now. Every time a distressed pup is left alone it simply reinforces how scary being alone is. Good luck.

[DianaT1969]

I think you need to find a neighbour who will have him at short-notice. Either for money or because they want the company. Another dog owner and you can return the favour?