Puppy Home Alone: Are You Creating Chaos or Calm? #98

It’s completely normal to feel some apprehension about leaving a puppy alone. But there are things that you do that contribute to the chaos or calm you find when you return home. I’m covering the formula that I use to ensure a happy life with a puppy and how to prevent separation anxiety.
00:00 Prevent dog separation anxiety before it starts.
00:15 Don’t make these puppy “home alone” mistakes.
01:01 Physical symptoms of severe separation anxiety.
01:42 The role of confinement in puppy rearing.
03:13 Rehearse calm arrivals and departures.
04:37 Ideal morning routine for puppies.
05:46 3 elements of my morning puppy routine.
09:31 Condition the puppy to love their blanket or bed.
10:32 Grow a dog’s confidence for being alone.
11:24 Playing Crate Games with your puppy creates comfort quickly.
12:00 5 mistakes people make that create dog separation anxiety.
13:12 What negative reinforcement is.
14:18 Attachment associations puppies make.
14:50 Tethering or umbilical training a puppy.
15:34 Better approach to bond building with your puppy.
15:53 Why tethering isn’t necessary.
16:12 Give puppies a chance to self-regulate.
16:23 Don’t create separation anxiety in your dog.
In the episode you'll hear:
• Why to see a Veterinary Behaviorist if you have a dog experiencing separation anxiety.
• About how we can help our puppy look forward to confinement.
• Why calm greetings, arrivals and departures contribute to the well-being of puppies.
• What my puppy morning routine looks like and the three events of train, walk and enterichment (yes, enterichment, you probably won’t find that in a dictionary!).
• What I do to settle my puppy just before I leave to create a routine.
• How long you should leave a young puppy alone at home.
• Steps you can take to help your puppy get used to alone time and why that is the gift of confidence.
• Why to start helping your puppy with being on their own when you are home.
• The 5 big mistakes people make that contribute to chaos when a puppy is left alone.
• What negative reinforcement is, how it relates to a dog being alone and avoiding nuisance barking.
• Why I do not recommend tethering or umbilical cord training for puppies or dogs.
• How puppies can grow up to be relaxed dogs who can hang out anywhere at home.
• The importance of setting you and your puppy up for success for your life together.
Resources:
Podcast Episode 30: Why Dog Crates Are Not Dog Cages - • Why Dog Crates Are Not...
Blog Post: A Day in the Life of a Susan Garrett Puppy - susangarrettdogagility.com/20...
Podcast Episode 70: Critical Info for Your Puppy’s First Day and Night at Home - • Critical Info for Your...
KZbin Video: Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - • Susan Garrett’s Perch ...
Crate Games Online - get.crategames.com/
Susan Garrett’s Puppy Videos: Playlist on KZbin - • Puppy Training with Su...
P.S. Subscribe to our KZbin Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 132 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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[@DogsThat]

Check out our full playlist on creating calm for puppies and dogs - kzbin.info/aero/PLphRRSxcMHy3KQXSC-3IzEdBgBetrl2YP

[@dogsrgodsspelledbackwards3340]

Okie dokie. I laughed at the tethering technique. I did that with my malamute puppy. Although I weaned very quickly to unhooking the leash without the pup knowing I did and watch what choice they made. And they quickly learned that they can choose to sleep by me, or get up and chill somewhere else in the house without getting frustrated by being attached at the hip. I don’t do it now as I haven’t had a pup in a very long time. Vast majority of my dogs are from shelters or rescues. In that case my protocol changed and lots of training, games, and entertainment activities are incorporated into my routine. Each of my new additions end up showing and telling me what they lack,what they enjoy, are worried about etc and my goals and training are geared to allowing those dogs to fit in and chill with the others. It’s a lot of work to developing your pup or adult dog into your life. People think there’s a quick fix and when they don’t see it straight away, they tend to revert to punishment based training v positive relationship building. SA is very stressful for a dog and if there’s a way to form a good relationship of being away from you, v being under foot, from the get go, then it’s worth the time and effort. Great video and we all need to do our part and put in the effort to help those dogs we choose to bring into our lives live a stress free existence. Thanks Susan G.

[@janegilbert9851]

As usual so much information, invaluable to first time puppy owners and those with new rescue dogs. I’ve watched every one of these Shaped by dog videos, started making a list in my journal of each one with a short description of it’s contents. Then when I need help refreshing or I want to help a friend I have something I can refer back too. Thank you Susan and team.

[@WendyWahman]

Getting our new puppy tomorrow and have been steeping in Susan Garrett’s videos, crate games, & Home School Your Dog. Thank you!!

[@crazylagggs]

I saw someone put in the enterichment in the crate 10min before leaving. The dog however isn't allowed to get it yet and would get all excited to get inside that crate. Before you leave, you let them in the crate and enjoy their enterichment:) crate training made easy!

[@caobita]

Great idea!!! 🖒

[@ionicamermaid1141]

It's so enjoyable to learn from you because you have such nice examples like the ballroom/hotel room 😅

[@Cruzan9]

The thing about calm arrivals and calm departures is oh, so very important. Newbies ought to learn this from the get go.

[@mothedogtrainer]

I always learn something from you 👌 Thank you

[@spdybug]

Wow. This is GREAT information!! Thumbs up, and subscribed and forwarding to my husband! I need to watch at least twice w pen and paper!! I was referred here by Shari Hall of Shining Star Doodles and once again she sent me in the right direction.

[@mikealousi9]

Hi!! My 8 month old puppy Hudson (chihuahua/spaniel mix) is dealing with isolation distress. He gets plenty of exercise and 2 long walks a day. Hudson is fine to be in his crate, wait patiently, or play with his toys in another part of the home while we’re in the another room. Initially thought he had separation anxiety, but as we reinforced crate training and rewarding for being quiet when left the room, we discovered his issue is only when we leave home. We approach leaving our house the same way we approached crate training and keeping him in other rooms (we call them “In and Outs”). Started with short periods of time, rewards when he was calm, extended to longer periods of time the more comfortable he got. When doing In and Out‘s, we can build up his time to hours in his crate or 20 minutes waiting outside the house (it’s a cold winter in Canada, can’t stay out there long). The problem comes when we leave the house and Hudson realizes this no longer is a training exercise, he howls excessively until our return. He refuses to relax in his crate or take a nap. He once howled for 3 hours straight when we needed to go out. How am I suppose to reward a calm puppy for my return if he’s never calm and doesn’t stop howling? We need to eventually re-enter our home, but because he’s howling that means Hudson wins. We can’t do “In and Out” build ups everytime we need to go out to the gym, dinner, grocery shopping, etc. Please help!! Michael and Stephanie

[@windywilliamson5069]

I love crate games and refer it to everyone after I show them how to start, but then again my class is only four weeks.

[@azogal53]

Good points, thank you. 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪

[@nancyhooper1742]

Definitely rewatching and writing it down for my Trex who does have separation anxiety and want him not to have it Great podcast as always ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jakeleak]

Thank you Susan. Planning for a new puppy in the next couple years.

[@susansawarin5776]

Crate training would have saved my old dog her hearing. I adopted her at 9, she was my buddy, and followed me everywhere, including to the workshop, where I was using saws. Ear muffs for me, but I didn't know what to do for her little ears. 😢

[@kerrygray2726]

REALLY enjoyed this podcast. ..help...need some advice on how to handle the other dogs in the house. ..if transportation can arranged Will be getting a 16 week old GSD puppy thst has just had her leg amputated...I'm wanting to make things easy for my two and a half year old cattle dog! I was really blown away at the cattle dogs behaviour change..when our daxie X passed over the rainbow bridge.....granny owned by a cattle dog

[@DogsThat]

Hi Kerry, thank you for you lovely note. It's lovely you'll have a new family member arriving! We have a video called "Project Togetherness" to help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWKaqWuflLaVb80 We also have a playlist for multi-dog homes - kzbin.info/aero/PLphRRSxcMHy2ee0fquucowgCTcl1kCdO-

[@Ocudavidimvideooo]

My 1.5 y.o. dog whines a little if left alone outside of the crate but then settles and all's well, but if we leave her in the crate.... all hell breaks loose and she howls non-stop (we left one of our phones inside, with video call on so we checked both situations). No matter the enrichment, or crate games (we couldn't afford a crate before her 6th month but once we got it, I immediately started the crate-training). I don't know what else to do anymore.

[@rebeccacallihan4170]

More great nuggets of information to apply not just for puppies but many different situations. I am a Recallers Alumni currently working through separation anxiety with one of my adult dogs who adores my husband. In fact he is the highest level on his distraction list! Since my husband is no longer working remote, but back in the office full time, there is a good bit of whining at every door, gate, room when following my husband around (the dog that is lol) upon his return home. It's been hard to get my spouse to "ignore" the dog upon arrival, they act like two long lost friends every time they see each other whether it's 5 minutes or 8 hours. I am hopeful I've convinced my husband that this behavior is a form of anxiety, detrimental to the dog and he does truly want to see him confident. This is a sweet dog we are already working through anxiety that began from a dog attack, which Recaller's has helped with tremendously. Thanks so much for all you and your staff do for all dogs, it has been life changing!

[@Templawyatt1]

Always love your advice and I’ve been following a lot. My 4 mo old GP will lie in her crate with me in the room, door open and closed, and has begun to go to her crate at night on her own and sleep. I leave the door open. And she comes and wakes me up around 5. But she still loses her mind if i close the door and leave the room for a while or leave the house.

[@RaptorsGirl]

Try the Enterichment with her. Just do one of the three things while you circle the crate, then make the circles bigger than leave the room. And no waking you up at 5 AM! At 5 mo old she should be sleeping through the night. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJWbqJ6jor-hrNU

[@ayimera]

Did this behavior ever get better for you? I'm dealing with the exact same thing right now.

[@jeremypiret]

Thx for your video Susan ! One question about this routine, I always read that you should always take your puppy outside for pooty before putting him in a crate. In your routine, it seems like the last moment you take him outside is 1h before taking in the crate. What should I do ?

[@kat200214]

I actually aspire to be a dog trainer like yourself! You have had so much awesome advice that has really helped me understand dogs better. I am truly trying to learn, understand, and share knowledge about dogs and dog psychology, so I hope you do consider my comments and my honesty. :) I'm also curious about the "It's Your Choice" game. Is that not a form of punishment? The handler will stick out their hand with something yummy, and when the dog reaches for it, they will close their hand. It's teasing. It can cause frustration and confusion. It's the use of negative punishment to train, taking away something the dog wants to get rid of a behavior you don't like (which is reaching for food without permission). Sure, it's paired with positive reinforcement, but, the learning comes primarily from punishment. And there's a degree of frustration and confusion involved. The same impulse control and leave it type behaviors can be taught without using punishment. You would heavily reinforce the behavior of leaving the food (what you want), and slowly build up the time the food it left (starting with only one second to set the dog up for success). You would manage and interrupt unwanted behavior (trying to snatch food) with another cue or a management technique. I'm sure the game works, but it has that potential fallout of frustration and confusion, and feeling like the dog has no control like punishment always does. it's not severe punishment, and I'm not accusing anyone of being abusive or really unfair, but it's unnecessary (in my opinion) punishment and triggers unnecessary negative emotions. Just food for thought.

[@RaptorsGirl]

I believe the energy you carry into your training helps to define what the dog considers punishing or not. Punishment and reinforcement is not something the trainer defines, it is strictly defined by the learner. For example I find chocolate very reinforcing, however I have a niece that dislikes the taste and would find having to put it in her mouth very punishing. Likewise, in Episode #95 where I describe why it is important to “Smack da baby” or actually smack the dog when playing, to the outsider looking in, you can say “that trainer is hitting her dog, that is punishment” yet the dog’s response to me playfully hitting them will tell you it is received as it is intended, as a playful interaction that brings with it great lessons to the dog. If a dog views something as “punishment” by definition they will work to avoid ever experiencing it again. ItsYerChoice as we teach it in our programs, does not bring about this result. The dog will not stop playing the game, quite the opposite, they become more engaged with us. If when I close my hand around the food, I was to do it with the energy of punishment, with a snap meant to scare, hurt or insult the dog attempting to take the food, then I’m pretty sure many dogs would view the action as punishment and would in fact stop interacting. After more than 30 years as a professional dog trainer I never stop learning, I’m constantly looking to better understand what motivates dogs, not just my dogs, all dogs. Reinforcement is in the mind of the learner, dog training doesn’t happen in a vacuum or in a Petri dish it happens within the body, mind and soul of a dog. Don’t get to hung up on definitions, rather look into the eyes of the dog you are training, they will always give you the feedback you need both on how effective and how reinforcing your dog training really is.

[@kat200214]

@@RaptorsGirl Thank you for responding, and for being polite with me. It's not a jab at you at all, but many people would not hesitate to ream into me for disagreeing/asking/giving constructive criticism. What you've said has actually changed my perspective a little bit, so thank you for that. I do agree that punishment is largely defined by the learner. That's a very good point. I think a lot of owners think that they reinforcing their dog (with petting for example) but the dog actually doesn't like it and sees it as aversive/punishing. There's the obvious stuff that I think we can all agree on that are aversive/punishing, like the tools made to inflict pain/fear/discomfort (choke chains, prongs, shock collars), but there are many other things that the learner doggo may see as punishing (or reinforcing!) that we may not realize. Take care! Say hi to your doggo crew for me!

[@trishbech9082]

Great advice. Although I have one question. For chewers, and you’re concerned with them alone with a blanket or a bed that they have chewed or can chew. I know it’s something you have to address, but how would you do this.

[@DogsThat]

Hi @Trish Bech, it's covered in this video to help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5DGaaqdq5aFn5o

[@katkavavrova8787]

Hi Susan! I have a 3 month old smooth collie puppy and I am trying to follow your advice. Thanks to it, she sleeps through the night since DAY 1! But she does cry a lot in the crate or in the ex-pen when I am in a different room. We are playing Crate games (btw can I apply them to the ex-pen as well?) and going through the DoggyFlix as well. Playing games in the Crate / ex-pen etc. I would usually sit by the crate/ex-pen until without talking to her until she settles and then I go further away - still in the same room. She is ok with that. But if I leave even for a short amount of time, she cries and whines. What would recommend here please? When I come back to the room, she setlles down again, and here is the point - should I then praise her and try to leave again for a shorter amount of time? I am a little lost here. Thank you!

[@adventuresandwhatnot722]

I would love to hear more about this as well. My puppy whines in the expensive despite having some toys she enjoys and a bed. It seems like I'm going about it wrong

[@mayronday3131]

Dear Susan, Am I correct in concluding that you walk you dog directst after breakfast? No worries over excercise in A full stomach? Kr may

[@RaptorsGirl]

Not my dogs no I usually go 30-60 minutes after eating. With a puppy though I’ll always take out them out immediately after eating. Sorry for the confusion!

[@justFreya5]

Hey Susan how in the world do I get my dog to even play with toys on his own? We had him for a week and he still won't play with anything we got him but will bite things he shouldn't. So I just grab one of his toys and put it in his mouth instead but that doesn't help when he's in his ex pen and crying cause he wants me. He just won't entertain himself and he won't even play with me

[@justFreya5]

And another thing I'm having a really hard time finding toys small enough that he can chew on. He is very small only 3lbs and will not get much bigger evey toy I've looked at is very thick for his tiny mouth

[@WollongongSkyWatch]

My pup is a week off 6mnths and has taken to sleeping in the loungeroom instead of my room. I guess he's becoming a man and wants to stay up late watching those late-nite sexy ads ;) 😅