Leaving my Puppy alone...

[BaconAndAvocado]

Our pup is an 8 month old Lab.

Until very recently I could give him a treat, make sure he had a wee in the garden, left the radio on and go out for up to 2 hours. On my return he would generally be asleep, no wees on the floor.

However, for the past week or so I now can’t even leave him for 50 minutes without him weeing on the kitchen floor.

When I get back he is standing behind the kitchen door and I’m pretty sure he hasn’t had a sleep because as soon as I sit down on the sofa he’ll settle down for a snooze.

Why has he regressed?
Is it just being a puppy, lots of different phases that won’t settle down until adulthood?
I can’t and don’t want to stay with him 100% of the time.

Any advice?

Get a camera which streams live to your phone so you can see exactly what is happening.

Adolescent dogs do change/regress as they get older so you might need to go back to basics for a bit but the camera might give you insight to any triggers.

I found mine hated certain radio stations especially talkative ones. He also hates seeing anything outside or his own reflection so we have to draw blinds. Without a camera I would have never known.

I can't afford a camera at the moment!

Can you borrow one?
Secondary fear period?

What's secondary fear period?
And no, I don't know anyone who has a camera.

Is he urinating more in general? Any signs that he has a UTI?

Are you friendly with your neighbors? I would ask them if they can hear him vocalise when you're out.

@BaconAndAvocado I managed to get a camera for £16 on Amazon on a deal. I know that might not be affordable still but if it might be worth keeping an eye out

Try the Barkio app I I think it has a free trial period to use it.

What's secondary fear period?
Its when they start to hit teenage years, sometimes things they were fine with can spook them or find unsettling.... they just need reassurance or sometimes back to basics with training.

Try 'Dog training advice and support group'on Facebook, they offer some really good advice and online training

I would get a vet check for him to make sure he's okay physically - that's always the first thing you should do for a significant behaviour change.

As PP said, many adolescent dogs go through a secondary fear period - it could be something's happened while you're gone that's scared him. A loud bang (car door, for example), delivery driver hammering on the door, neighbours' shouting, a cat bothering him from the garden, etc.

If you can't afford a dog camera, you could try a camera app on a tablet or phone, left propped up somewhere out of his reach?

You can pick up cheap cameras off somewhere like Amazon. Mine was under £30 if I remember correctly but apologies if that is out of your reach at the moment.

I would go round and check that curtains/blinds are closed. Is your home attached to another? If so how are your neighbours? Could you approach them and see if they can hear anything? Do you think they might be making a noise that has frightened him.

We also lock our gate or make sure packages are not being delivered when we leave so very little chance of someone knocking on the door.

You'd prob get an old baby camera for £5 off Facebook marketplace .. we use the kids old one for the dog. And my dog dislikes classic FM which is said to be best for dogs, he hates bangs ( and some classical is a bit jumpy) he likes heart FM.

My dog gets very distressed if someone rings the doorbell when I'm out. Like a Hermes delivery etc.

Thanks all.

I think it could be secondary fear as, looking back, the first time he weed when I was out a delivery man would have rang our bell which is very shrill.

Or it could be that he has a UTI. As well we weeing on the floor when I've been out over the past 3 days, for 3 nights in a row he has weed during the night.

Think I will give the vet a call today.

Thank you all for your advice 💐

I know people have said similar, but cameras aren’t as expensive as what you might think. Mine was £20 off Amazon, it’s a Tapo. I can see her, hear her, get notifications to my phone if she moves, and I can talk to her through it.

Agree with the others about secondary fear period but does sound good plan to get vet check.

Re camera I saw someone suggest setting up a zoom call from laptop or similar at home and then just joining it from phone to see what they’re doing!