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PUPPY FOR THE FIRST TIME IS TOUGH. SHARES A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
GETTING a new puppy in lockdown will have meant, for many owners, not having to leave the dog alone. But there comes a time, lockdown or no lockdown, when a dog has to be on its own for the first time.
If you’ve been working from home, as lockdown eases, you might find you need to try and get your dog used to being by themselves.
Rachel Casey, at the Dogs Trust charity, explains: “Dogs that had separation anxiety before the lockdown are likely to get worse when left again as owners head back to work.”
WHEN TO START?
Nastassja Potgieter runs The Paw House Bristol, which offers home visits, group walks and training. She says: “The earlier the better. Don’t rush it. You can’t just expect a pup to be left alone suddenly, so if you do need to go out somewhere, factor in time for them to settle before you need to leave.”
HOW LONG DO I LEAVE THEM?
Nastassja says: “It all depends on how your dog reacts to begin with. Let’s say you left them in their area, with their crate or a pen around, then leave the room and stand outside the door to begin with. The recommended time is up to eight minutes.”
MAKE PRAISE GENTLE AND CALM
“Leave them in their safe area until that time is up. When you come back into the room, don’t make too much fuss. Use a soft and gentle tone,” she advises. “Praise them gently and quietly to reassure them everything is OK. Then you can build up to a longer period of time they’re alone.”
A GENTLE GOODBYE ‘PHASING’
“Some people have Kongs (a type of dog toy), which you can fill with something like peanut butter and will keep them entertained,” says Nastassja. “Give them that, say goodbye and some people use hand movements as an indication they’re leaving. Use the same tone, and the combination of the two, and they’ll associate it all in preparation for you to leave.”
SELF-SOOTHING/CRYING IS OK
Your dog is unlikely to settle immediately, and you need to expect an element of ‘selfsoothing’ where they might cry before they settle.
“All they’ve known is to have your company. It’s a gradual process that you introduce them to this alone time, making them see that there is going to be a period that you’re not going to be there,” Nastassja says.
“The hardest part, when you are doing alone time and not actually leaving, is to lock them in the room when you hear them crying. Then you
have to wait for them to be quiet before you enter.” The theory with this is that you’re rewarding the behaviour you’d like – them being quieter.
TRY THE RADIO
Some people leave the radio on for their dog. “Classic FM can be calming for a lot of dogs,” says Nastassja.
You can’t just expect a pup to be left alone suddenly... factor in time for them to settle
The Paw House’s Nastassja
GET EXPERT HELP
There are many trainers who are working remotely online via Zoom and other video apps. Dogs Trust has online learning tools too.
For more brilliant advice on owning a dog see teamdogs.co.uk