Training puppy to be left home alone

[Juiceey]

Hi doghouse,

I need to get pup ready to be left on his own for a few hours at a time. He's a velcro dog and cries if I shut the door and go for a wee. From my googling it seems I should leave him in 5 minute increments but this will take forever!

He'll be in the kitchen behind a baby gate as can't trust him in the living room, which I know he'd prefer but he is still destructive. I'll put his sleeping mat in there. He loves a kong so we're going to save them for going out time ONLY so he gets used to them as a treat for when he's being left.

Please be kind. Thanks for any help and advice.

[Paranoidmarvin]

Oh I took many a shower with a dog in the bathroom. And many a shower when he was older with a dog in the bathroom or outside.

They need time. The gentler you do this and the slower u take it. The more rewarding u will get and will be able to go out for ages.

I didn’t leave mine until I could walk around the house without him following me. And it worked brilliantly. I could leave him for four hours if I needed to. Rarely did. But I was happy leaving him knowing he wasn’t scared or upset.

[copperoliver]

Maybe send him to daycare when you need to go out. X

[Funf]

I feel a crate is safer but it should be pleasant not a punishment.
Have you spoken to the breeder as most use crates and they should be able to give some tips.
I don't know a lot about poodles but I do know they are intelligent

If you look at this they are not very tolerant to being alone so it can be done bit wont be easy
dogtime.com/dog-breeds/poodle#/slide/1Ours has to be crated in the car for safety and she is often wet and muddy but is perfectly happy.

[vanillandhoney]

Poodles are a fairly needy breed and are known for having problems with being left - we have a beagle and they can be similar.

It probably took me several months before I could shower without him howling the house down! I used to try and time showers etc. so that he'd been walked and had gone to the toilet, then I'd leave him with a chew to occupy himself with.

Mine is 2.5 now and still hates being left although he can cope for an hour or two - but only if he's had a good a long walk beforehand. He's never been crated either as he hated it so much it made him sick!

All I can say is it takes time and patience. There are no shortcuts. Some people can leave their dogs from day one and will have no issues but unfortunately if you do have issues it can take a long time to get them sorted. There are no quick fixes!

[Juiceey]

Thanks everyone. He is going to daycare while we're at work. But I'd like to go out for dinner with my wife at some point without the dog! :)

[Helenluvsrob]

Following. CKCS here.
Cries when I go in a shop and leave him with husband ( and vice versa , I fact if any of the family leaves 😱). Won’t walk for family if I leave , but if they go out and leave me home that works ?
Goes more than happily off with the dog minder for the day though 😂

He did a “ greyfriars Bobby “ and sat and cried when I got on the train to town months ago before lockdown - a wee walk to the station seemed a good idea but husband carried a pitifully crying pup home.

He’s a year now. Not been left in the house alone since lockdown as there is always someone in unless he’s out with us.

What do I do? I actually don’t want to leave him now. The sharp barks go through me like my newborns cry , so different to his deep woof normally.