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

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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.

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 - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/30/
• Blog Post: A Day in the Life of a Susan Garrett Puppy - https://susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/09/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-susan-garrett-puppy/
• Podcast Episode 70: Critical Info for Your Puppy's First Day and Night at Home - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/70/
• YouTube Video: Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - https://youtu.be/O6sj6fTJnFc
• Crate Games Online - https://get.crategames.com/
• Susan Garrett's Puppy Videos: Playlist on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLphRRSxcMHy2SggplHx3uEWAjXOL9hI21
• Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube - https://youtu.be/FTi3dQ_Y2A8