Clingy

[RoccoNYC]

We have our puppy Rocco for about 3 or so weeks now. The wife and I have had time off so that if one of us was working, the other was home. So Rocco was never left alone. On Monday we both go back to work. Problem is that he seems too attached to us. If one of us leaves the apartment, he sits staring at the door and usually starts crying, even if one of us is still there. If only one of us is home and leave to go throw out the grabage or whatever, he starts barking within seconds of the door closing.

We have been trying to crate train him, but he is not a fan. He will sleep in it, if we leave the door open. Today I left him in the crate, to simulate going to work, and he barked for 50 minutes straight! We are both guilty of spoiling him and falling for those puppy dog eyes. We are both a fan of our apartment building and don't want to have to move because we got thrown out. Any suggestions???

Thanks!

[NicksMom]

All puppies seem to be clingy but if you can pick up a copy of The Culture Clash by Jean Donoldson she has some training tips for teaching your dog to be alone. Good luck we have all been there suffering the same fate.

[Skywalker]

Yeah I wondered that too in your case it could be an age thing. Therefore reading of ways to make him less worried about you leaving would be the best thing. Since we brought our boy home I have been at home with him - so for the past 7 months he has had me at home. I started work last week and he has adjusted great, already in the new routine and doesn't seem anxious at all. I did try to get him used to longer periods of time by himself by increasing the length of time I was out first. He also gets lots of exercise so he's happy to sleep when we are out - and I always give him a Kong 5 minutes before I leave so he is licking that and hardly looks at me when I leave!!