Getting a puppy is an exciting time! They are super cute, teeny tiny, lots of fun, not to mention that puppy breath!
It's easy to fall into the trap of wanting to be with them all the time or let them have access to us all the time. Many people even take time off work to settle the puppy in, which is fine and recommended, when the right picture is being built.
Something that is often overlooked, and not even considered until the pup is older and has already developed some entrenched behaviour patterns, is the pup’s ability to be separate from their owners or to spend time on their own.
From the moment puppy comes home, it is imperative to incorporate independence training, teaching the pup from the start that at times they will spend time on their own and won't always be able to actively be involved in what's around them.
Often, instead of teaching this, owners send the pup to dog daycare, have family come over to spend time with them, have gruelling routines designed to physically tire them out before they're left home alone, or have to leave an abundance of enrichment toys to keep them busy.
Don't get us wrong, these can have some benefits and can be ways to manage and prevent the pup from practising stress related behaviours when they are on their own. However, it doesn't address the underlying issue that the pup doesn't know how to be independent or on its own without constant stimulation.
The truth is, dogs that struggle when they are home alone generally don't have a picture of being separate, and have maybe never been denied access to their owners when they are at home.
Dog doors are popular choices for many but for dogs with dependency issues, they can inadvertently encourage dogs to keep a constant eye on their owners, enabling them to check out what's going on and where anytime they feel the need to. The problem with this is that when they have to be outside or shut off in a different area of the house, whether the owner is or isn't home, they struggle because the picture is different. Very different!
What can also be daunting for dogs not used to being separate from their family is the amount of space they have when they are on their own.
It may seem counter intuitive to have a smaller space when pups are learning how to cope being on their own, but it is how they feel most secure. They don't have as much real estate to pace, check entry points and keep an ear on sounds around them. Trying to find certainty and safety in a large space without the ability to self soothe can be stressful very for them.
We are big advocates for crate and pen training to provide certainty when developing pups/dogs' ability to cope when they have time to themselves. The smaller space provided by these management tools/concepts helps them learn to just relax instead of stay up, pacing back and forth.
These need to be introduced thoughtfully with the pup/dog’s perception in mind. Crate/pen training often fails because the pup isn't prepared well enough for the situation they are put in, the process is rushed, or too much is expected of them too soon.
Some pups find it more challenging to be separate than others, but this doesn't mean teaching it should be abandoned. It means that you should seek guidance from a professional on how to develop it correctly. Independence training is crucial in developing a well balanced dog. If you want to build this with your pup or have a dog with separation issues, get in contact with us or another professional trainer.
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