How can I get my puppy to stop whining when we leave him alone?

Question

Me and my girlfriend live in an appartment and just got ourselves a puppy two days ago. She's 10 weeks old and she's lab/border collie mix.

So far we've had not to many problems with her she doesn't bite and she does sit nice when asked. However when we go to bed. We have her leashed in the living room (in an area with her bed surrounded by news papers and her toys) she continues to whine. I've said NO and tell her to lie down in her bed , when she does lay down in her bed I then tell her good girl and pet her. Sometimes this works though other times as soon as I leave the room she's back up chewing up the paper and whining.

Can any one give me suggestions as me and my girlfriend can't be with her all the time and I don't want her making to much noise as we're in an appartment?

Answer 1

It's only been two days. Takes a good week or so for a puppy to get adjusted to his new surroundings.

At the very least, give him/her a shirt that smells like you or your gf in her sleeping area.

Answer 2

Ohhhh Puppies!!! Try an old fashioned ticking clock--- either wrap it in an old pair of sweats that have not been washed or the like or get a cheap really soft stuffed amimal. Cut the back open and slip in the clock, the sweats or the stuffed animal will muffle the tick just enough to mimic a heart beat, since she is still a baby, she probably misses the closeness of siblings or other animals (her mama) and that might help her relax. Also a trick we used on my pit.. Go the market, meat section, buy a package of marrow bones for soup, freeze them, it will take hours for her to get all the yummies out, when she is done, you will have a nice ring shaped bone, rinse it, then put peanut butter in the hole freeze that, you get the idea, she will be occupied by the yummies, and that could help too.

Answer 3

It's normal for such a puppy to whine all night. It's typical and I know what I tell you cuz that's the same problem I had when my dogs were puppies. I seriously don't think that having the pup leashed helps at all. If the leash bothers her or even hurts her, it's obvious that she will complain. But the best thing you can do is just ignore her. It's hard, yes I know cuz she makes ALOT of noise but that's the best thing to do. Another thing would be to tire her out during the day so she sleeps at night. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Dogs are social animals, and this puppy was just taken from it's mother and siblings, where there was constant warmth, attention, and company. Now it's being left alone in a strange place, and of course she doesn't like it.

Honestly, I would consider brining her bed area into the bedroom with you. Just being near you will be comforting to her and that may alleviate the whining. Dogs are never alone in the wild, and they often don't do well when forced to do so in our homes. Is there a reason you are keeping her away from you?

Our dog was crated as a puppy to help with housekeeping, but we kept the crate by our bed and he enjoyed knowing we were nearby. If you can't do that, consider a heating pad on low or a hot water bottle in her dog bed to help her stay warm and comforted.

That being said, you don't want her to have separation anxiety when you DO have to leave her. To avoid that, you condition her to your absence. A great training routine to follow can be found here:

http://www3.us.elsevierhealth.com/communities/Veterinary/Overall/protocoldeparture_instructions.html

Answer 5

If you catter to your pet everytime she starts whinning,she will soon learn what to do in order to get her way.If you've only had her 2 days,give her a little time,as she may be whinning because she misses her litter mates,or Mom.She will finally forget about being a puppy and realize that the whinning won't get her anywhere.If you've secured her in a safe area and she has been fed and gave water,then she will be ok.Don't give in,just give her lots of love at special times of the day.

Answer 6

It is called "separation stress anxiety" Some dogs never get over it without a good trainer. Mine use to be so bad..........One would howl while the other yapped...It could be heard across the street... It was so bad in the beginning my neighbor came over (after I had left for the day) and peeked in the window to see what was wrong and lo and behold one dog on arm of couch howling the other on floor yapping .....
after about 5 years they quit!

Answer 7

Try to get her a puppy like a friend or get her a stuffed animal to keep her company when you go to bed or you can also try and let her sleep in the same room as you.

Answer 8

dogs are a pack animal get an old clock that ticks put under the bed this may help have used this before when i had a dog

Answer 9

she just need to be house broken which includes getting use to her being alone, but formal training such as sit and roll over should start when dogs are about a year old, although most dog experts say 6 months they are just not mature enough to learn

Answer 10

She's obviously lonely. Leave a radio on at low volume. It will make her feel as 'tho she's not all alone.