Leaving pup for the first time

[barb1314]

Hi all.Well we collected Lottie(12 wk old black lab) on Saturday and she has been really great so far.Adorable nature.Brilliant recall and lovely on the lead.A very responsive little girl.We had to leave her this morning for just over half an hour and I recorded her on my mobile.She howled and cried but eventually settled.She is in the kitchen in the most luxurious crate ever! She has been going in there very happily for the last 3 days whenever she needs a break and sleeping in there at night.No problems and amazingly no accidents.Has anyone any advice on how we can make her feel happier when we're out. I left the radio on and gave her lots of toys.Am i right in thinking that once she learns we will always come back to her that she will improve?Please don't give me any grief about the crate (as I know many of you don't agree with them) Thanks for your help.

[daisycup]

You sound like a lovely parents. I don't think that a crate is wrong, I don't use one personally but I've heard that crates are good and for somewhere that the dog can go and take time out. Sounds like you are doing everything right to me.

[suzi-q]

Its early days and probably the first time shes been on her own apart from at night so she was bound to cry. I read somewhere that her crying is more painful for you than her. Probably true. At least in the crate you know she is safe and can't do any damage to the house or herself. Our puppy chewed through an electric wire and we were sitting in the same room!! I always leave my puppy in her crate when I have to leave her. I think its safer for all concerned. You could leave one of your t-shirts in with her so she can snuggle up to that.
Hope you enjoy your little pup as much as we do ours.

[barb1314]

Thanks daisy and suzi. She is a pretty chilled little girl but it's heartbreaking to hear those cries. The t shirt is a great idea.She really does seem to like her crate which takes some guilt away but I'd hate her to injure herself and it's impossible to be with her 24/7 (though I'd love to be) All in all things are heading in the right direction and we ADORE her.Thanks to both of you.

[doglady]

Leave her things to do. You can get treat ball things that you put food inside (from her daily food amount) and she has to turn and flip the ball over to get the food to come out. It keeps them busy for ages, once they realise what they have to do. If she gets good at it (my lab empties his in about a minute), you can get cube shaped ones which are harder.

Or, freeze some chicken stock inside a kong with some treats in it and she can gradually lick away at the yummy chicken stock to get to the treats inside.

You sound like you are doing all the right things! Well done.

[wolf63]

It must be magic to have a baby in the house. She sounds wonderful - just hope she stays that way. Best wishes.

[barb1314]

Thanks too doglady and wolf.I have a Kong and am off to Pets at home this weekend for one of the square activity kongs.I thought they'd really keep her happy.I'm thinking that if they are full of food I'll decrease her feeds a bit so she doesn't become a barrel! She is from working stock so all her relatives are smaller and slim (my friend has her 2 half sisters who are amazingly controlled and laid back) About 5 mins ago she amazed me again by running to the door to go toilet....can't believe how fast she is cottoning on.We've only had one very small wee accident so far..and all poos have been outside....not taking my eyes off her (mind you she never takes her eyes off me either...think my husband is feeling a little left out of the party!)

[ruthann58]

hi i bet you are thrilled now that the waiting is over as for the crate the only problem we have is cassie will be 7 in november and still has to go to bed at night with the door shut her choice not ours if we dont shut her door she barks till we get up and shut it , i certainly did not think i would still have it now .enjoy lottie as they grow so fast dont they it does not seem 5 mins ago i went to see cassie at 3 weeks old xxx ruth

[lankeela]

She sounds wonderful. Only thing I can suggest is when you see her go in the crate and fall asleep, go out of the room for a short while and pop back in every so often, gradually lengthening the time you are out of the room. She will then soon realise you are coming back and be prepared to sleep or play by herself for a while. Make sure she has had a play before you really do leave her and go out of the house, so she is tired. Also try not to let her be aware of you getting ready to leave, go in and out of the front door a few times, and don't do a routine like picking up your keys, putting on you coat etc and certainly don't make fuss and tell her she is a good girl just before you go, try to make going out a non event. So pleased you are enjoying her.

[LoftyLottie]

Hello Barb,

I am so envious. I wan't a new little one, but two must suffice (Vet's bills!!). So pleased to hear about how little Lottie is getting on. She sounds wonderful. Don't forget to show us some pictures very soon.

I see that Lankeela has suggested what I was going to suggest. Don't make a fuss at all or let her sense that you are going out and don't say goodbye, etc. Dogs pick up very quickly on the fact that they are about to be left and they will complain very vocally. Same when you have visitors. Make sure they don't come in and fuss Lottie straight awaym otherwise you will have a dog that expects attention from everybody new coming in and demand it. I learnt this the hard way with my two!!

Love to you and little Lottie. xx

[LoftyLottie]

'wan't'?!! Back to school LL

[barb1314]

Hi ruthann,lottie and lankeela....brilliant advice as ever. I never thought about not making a fuss before I left and making it a small thing. Makes total sense. First visit to vets today...she behaved impeccably and the vet couldn't believe how chilled she was. She has a little body massage from me each day so she is used to being checked over...it worked a treat. She lay almost on her back with all 4 paws in the air on the vets table!! Will post some photos soon. Thanks everyone. So nice to be sharing her progress with such lovely people.

[barb1314]

A new photo is here http://s343.photobucket.com/albums/o444/barbar ajs10/?action=view¤t=LOTTIE12WEEKS.jpg

[barb1314]

Andhttp://s343.photobucket.com/albums/o444/barbar ajs10/?action=view¤t=LOTTIEAGED8WEEKS.jp g another...sorry but I am a proud new mum!!!!

[Jugglering]

Hiya Barb... your wee doggie is absolutely gorgeous.. I am so jealous ! I thought my girls were beautiful, adorable, wonderful, etc etc but she really is a good looking young lady!

[Rosetta]

She is gorgeous.

[LoftyLottie]

What a little beauty she is barb! Big kisses to her from me!!

xxxx

[lankeela]

What a wicked grin! She looks like she is plotting something.

[barb1314]

Thanks everyone. I am biased but we just cannot get more than a few yards down the street without people stopping to say how gorgeous she is.She is so well behaved on the lead...stuck to my left ankle!Mind you, to me, all animals are beautiful...she just has the edge!!! x

[soozmac]

sorry to pitch in so late, but she is a honey! I've been pestering my man to let us get a chocolate lab, to no success so far. His parents have 2 black lab bitches, sister from the same litter, and they leave a small tv on whenever they're away. They also have special chew toys, bones, etc, which the dogs are only allowed when the house is empty. As soon as anyone comes home, the bones get picked up and put away. This apparently takes the edge off being left alone - the dogs get to gnaw away at bones in an otherwise meat-free house!

I also like th idea of leaving a t-shirt with your smell on it.

[barb1314]

Hi Sooz.Good idea...may try that too.My husband took a lot of pursuasion but I said she would be MY dog and she really is....but he loves her too after only 4 days.He was a bit worried cos our border collie was really hard work but it was all our fault because we never tried hard enough to train her properly...it's never the dog's fault,only the owner everyone tells me. From day one Lottie has been totally different.I hope it all continues.We'll see.I hope you manage to pursuade your man too.