Once you’ve adjusted to the disrupted sleep, the first few weeks of puppy parenthood are blissful (those eyes! That fur! Those puppy cuddles!), especially if you’ve been working from home or with them 24/7 to help them settle in. But at some point, you need to leave your puppy alone - and your puppy probably won’t be very happy about it. This is when separation anxiety or discomfort can kick in. Here are some tips to help your puppy feel confident and comfortable when they’re alone.

There are actually 2 different conditions that your pup might be experiencing when they’re left alone:

1. 1. Canine separation anxiety. This is a clinically recognised condition that causes a stress response in a dog when they’re separated from their people.
   2. Puppy separation discomfort. This is a far more common and less intense reaction that a lot of puppies can experience: a general nervousness or unhappiness when their people leave.

It’s completely normal for puppies to feel uncomfortable or unhappy when you leave. Things like whining and acting clingy when you’re about to leave is common puppy behaviour. But true separation anxiety is a debilitating condition, like anxiety in humans.

Although their signs (see below) might look similar, true separation anxiety tends to be more extreme and last longer than a puppy who’s learning to be alone. Dogs with separation anxiety can get really worked up and upset when they’re left alone and turn to more destructive behaviours, including chewing, digging and going to the toilet inside.

True separation anxiety is quite rare in puppies. That’s because it’s normally quite easy to distract them and cheer them up with a delicious treat or fun toy. Although it can be upsetting to see your puppy’s discomfort, remember that it’s natural and common and isn’t likely to be causing them severe, lasting damage.

Here’s a breakdown of the different signs that your puppy is feeling nervous about being alone, and the differences between if they’re experiencing separation anxiety or separation discomfort.

Barking and whining
A puppy with separation anxiety might:

• • Bark and whine repeatedly, with a high pitch.
  • Bark and whine for a long time (like the entire time you’re out).

A puppy with separation discomfort might:

• • Bark and whine at a lower pitch.
  • Bark and whine only intermittently.
  • Bark and whine for only a few moments at a time.

Chewing

A puppy with separation anxiety might:

• • Destructively chew or dig their crate or bedding and ignore their toys even if they’re close by.

A puppy with separation discomfort might:

• • Chew the toys you provided.

Length of time

The biggest way to tell if your puppy is experiencing separation anxiety or discomfort is how long their behaviour goes on for.

Puppies who are learning to be alone, and are feeling some natural and common discomfort at the thought of you leaving, usually calm down after a short period, think 5 to 10 minutes. This is just their settling down time. They might make some noise or pace around or paw their crate before having a nap or enjoying some playtime with a favourite toy.

If your puppy never settles down the entire time you’re gone and continues to pace, dig, be noisy or destructive while ignoring the treat-filled toy that you’ve left, that can be a sign of true separation anxiety.

Wondering what your puppy is up to when you’re not there? Either install a camera to keep an eye on them or ask your neighbours if they hear any barking. It can also be easy to tell when you get home - their bedding might be torn up, for example.

The most obvious reason for your puppy’s discomfort is being left alone and away from you. But there are other reasons too, and most of them come from being in a crate. Using a crate for your puppy is a great way to create a calm, comforting space that’s all theirs. But if used incorrectly, it can cause problems.

When using a crate with your puppy, make sure:

• • You’ve fully crate trained them before leaving them alone - have a look at how to crate train a dog.
  • It’s big enough. Your puppy needs to be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.
  • They’ve been to the toilet and don’t stay in too long. Puppies can typically last between toilet breaks as many hours as they are months old, up to a maximum of 4 hours. This means for young puppies (say, 2 months old), they shouldn’t be crated for longer than 2 hours. A puppy that needs the toilet is likely to be anxious in their crate. Read more on toilet training puppies.
  • They’ve had plenty of exercise and playtime before going into their crate so they’re more likely to settle down and relax when they’re in it. A bored, restless puppy can quickly become an anxious one.
  • It’s never used as a punishment. Your puppy could think that they’re being punished every time they’re in their crate, which can make them nervous about being in it.

There are plenty of simple things you can do to soothe an anxious pup. Try these tips:

1. 1. 1. Invest in the right size crate. Although their crate needs to be big enough for some movement (standing up, turning around, lying down), it shouldn’t feel too scarily big. Ideally, it should feel like a cosy den.
      2. Make their crate feel like home. Your puppy should love spending time in their crate. Create a comforting, welcoming space by lining their crate with a soft pad, blanket or old duvet. When they use their crate, reward them with tasty treats. Fill their crate with favourite toys. Chew toys and toys you can stuff with treats are great ways to distract puppies.
      3. Have plenty of playtime. Before leaving them in their crate, make sure they’re tired - a tired puppy is a happy puppy, afterall! Plus, a tired puppy is more likely to curl up and nap rather than fretting about being alone. Take them for a long walk or enjoy an energetic play session before popping them in their crate. A pre-crate toilet break is essential too.
      4. Work up to longer alone time. Once your pup is happy in their crate, start with leaving them alone for a short time, even a few seconds to begin with. When they’re able to stay calm, you can work up to 1 minute, then 5, then 10 and beyond. Remember to only crate them for one hour for each month of their age, up to a maximum of 4 hours at once.
      5. Make being alone feel normal. When you come back, don’t rush to them and make a big deal. Keep it low key so your puppy learns that coming and going is a normal part of life.

If you’ve tried everything and your puppy still won’t calm or settle and is injuring themselves frantically trying to escape their crate, it’s time to see your vet.

Over time, your pup should learn that being alone and away from you is completely normal and OK - it’s a big part of growing up! If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.