My puppy Carmen is about 3 months old and is a talker. She barks when I walk away from her. I can't stand with her all day! I have tried everything from a squirt bottle to putting tabasco in her mouth. This seperation anxiety is driving me up the wall! I can't even use the bathroom without her waking up the whole neighboorhood! Is there anything I can do to discourage the barking? Any suggestions will help me I'm sure. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> thanks, Rain

My pup was worse than a talker at that age...he was a screamer. The only solution was to put his crate where his noises wouldn't bother anyone (e.g. the basement). He eventually learned his screaming wouldn't bring anyone attention and stopped. It took a while though.

Are your crate training her? If not this may be your first step in the righ direction.

I can relate to how difficult this can be. My working GSD puppy was really bad about being me leaving him by himself for the first three weeks. He would throw himself against the door of the crate and try to climb up the sides, screaming his head of for 45 minutes without a break!!

First off, try not to think of this a 'seperation anxiety', I dont think any three month old puppy would have a real case of SA. She is probably taking advantage of you, especially if you give her attention (even negative attention like the tobasco). Try reducing the stimulation she gets and reduce the temptation to reward her vocalizing by draping a blanket over her crate. The less she see's you the better. This worked for me, I stopped after my pup started understanding that the crate in not an option.

Put the crate in a part of your house that is furthest away from you and leave her there until she is quiet. Be firm and don't go into 'check' on her. Just let her figure it out on her own. This could take a couple hours, so be sure you potty her first and set your mind to ignore mode and don't allow yourself to become angry or upset.

When she's out of the crate try and change the way you interact with her. Right now she controls you. This needs to change. Only give her attention when she's being quiet and is having some manners. Don't look at her or speak to her if she's jumping up on you, whining, barking. As soon as she goes, "hey this isn't how it usually works" and stops her naughty behavior look at her and calmly praise her. Don't get all excited or she will escalate agian and you'll have to do this longer. She will be persistand at first, she may actually become louder and more obnoxious before she starts to get it. But be firm: she only gets your attention for quiet and calm behavior, never ever for barking or whining.

When you punish your very young pup for the natural reaction to her "mom" leaving the room, it doesn't sound fair. Please don't put tabasco in her mouth....or squirt her with water. She doesn't understand what you're doing or why you're doing it. To her, you're just being mean, and it accomplishes nothing. You inadvertently created a "frenzy" time for her (and probably for you) when you leave the room by doing what you mentioned. You have to stay calm always when leaving her. Better than tabasco, at night have a kong toy ready filled with a little cream cheese and put it in the crate when you leave the room.

The puppy just wants to be with you. If you don't punish it for that, the puppy will begin to calm down. If it takes a while, that's ok, she now has to get over the scary time of being punished so it may take longer, and it's just part of raising a puppy. At night, figure if you have to go, she has to go. You have to try and discern whether or not the pup has to relieve herself or not. My 3 mo old pup has a different whine when he needs to go potty.

A lot is mentioned about pack structure as regards dogs. As far as I know, wolf pups are never left alone by the adults, and at least one adult is left with the pups while the pack hunts. So this needs to be taken into account, this behavior is normal for a young pup. My 3 mo old is very quiet now in the crate, for the most part. There are times he just plain wants out, either to pee, or to play and interact. If I know his whine means he wants to play, I wait for a lull in the whine, then take him out. Sometimes understanding why a pup does something helps to deal with it and to know how to handle it. You will have to put up with some of the howling. When you leave the room, every few minutes pass by so she can see you and eventually she will be reassured that you're still there. Don't say anything or look at her, just pass by. She will calm down eventually, they don't scream forever.

The less you make of your comings and goings; the less your pup will make of it. DEFINETLY use a crate. Your anxiety around her reaction to your leaving is creating more anxiety for your pup. Punishment does not work for something like this. Dogs read us really well for the most part; so you need to make it NO BIG DEAL that you are leaving the room/house/etc. and just a normal part of the day. It will take time, and there will be noise; but eventually she'll understand that the crate is a safe place to be when you're not around. It helps to leave a Kong stuffed with something good; which she may show no interest in initially if she's very upset. But when she calms down it will be there. Just be consistant about it and it will get better. Just make sure she's had the opportunity to go outside before you crate her.

Thanks everyone! yes she has a crate but she only sleeps in it. Should I be using the crate more than that? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> thanks,
rain

For sure. Use the crate when you can't be in the room with her. If she's already sleeping in it, she's pretty comfy in it. If this is anxiety-related at all, being in her "safe place" will help. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />