Normal puppy behaviour or separation anxiety?

[ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual]

Pup is 13 weeks. Am leaving her alone in kitchen (stairgated) for a couple of times a day - if we're both getting the dc ready for school, bathtime, quick chores etc. Never more than 15 mins but usually less. Try to leave with a food activity like kong or licki mat.

Pup hates it - cries and barks at gate, even if I'm only gone a minute, even if she can still see me.

Is this just normal development and she'll get there over time, or should she be ok being left for a little while at this stage?

I am so overwhelmed with general puppy stuff, and extremely sleep deprived, and feel like I'm doing it all wrong.

Normal puppy behaviour.

Twice a day for 15 mins or less is fine. Especially if most the time she can see you.

At 13 weeks she is really just a baby. Don't expect any sense of independence from her until she is 6 months+

In the meantime, be calm, consistent and encouraging (as you most probably are being).

Also: laugh! The puppy weeks feel painful but when she is an old, steady gal you will miss them terribly. There is huge flexibility in stuff that you don't have to absolutely perfectly and are still likely to end up with a lovely adult you adore. So enjoy it - if you can. Gin or chocolate helps.

Thank you! That's good to hear, and helpful

It's pretty normal, but I would probably practice leaving her behind the gate regularly when you're visible, and just walking in and out of the room you're in.

I agree that it is normal.

However, I would try and avoid leaving her to get really distressed if at all possible. I know that's not always an option, though!

Thank you @margotrose and @kingkongs.

We are going to move some treats to the other side of the gate so we can reinforce positive behaviour when she's quieter etc too, and try to make an effort to return sooner, when we're not in the middle of something, to catch her when she's quiet.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/4914600-puppy-survival-thread-for-old-and-new-pups?page=3&reply=130087853

Why don't you join us?

I think you need to intentionally plan leaving her when you don't actually need to, so that you can return to her if she needs it. So start at the other side of the gate, treat. Then step out of sight and return, treat. Then 30 seconds, then a minute, then two minutes, etc.

Thanks @Lougle, I will.

Dh is off for some of half term so that will free us up a bit to work on the leaving/coming back without the usual pressures.