Noisy pup

[Bellamum]

Hi all, we are first time dog owners trying to do things.right with our first pup (cocker spaniel) We have had her almost 3 weeks and she is 12 weeks. She has no problem at night being crated, and settles well in the day if we go out (we have a webcam and can see) but is spending hours whining and shouting when she can hear us moving round the house. We are strictly ignoring her until we are ready and she is quiet, Try not to go in the room until she is quite and don't give her attention when she is noisy. As soon as we are in the room she will sit and wait for us, we just can't seem to communicate to her about being quiet when alone. Any help would be gratefully received! Im not even sure I'd that is just Normal still at this age or not! thanks

[daw]

I would've thought it would be abnormal for her NOT to cry. See the world as she does. She was with her mother and siblings, a lovely warm safe little pack. Then all that goes away and she's one lone puppy- a baby really- who wouldn't last half an hour out there on her own- and knows it. How you you tell a scared baby it needs to be quiet and that's when it's living with its own parents? And after all she's another species with none of her own kind, suddenly.  Add to that she's spaniel, the most person-needy dogs on the planet.

Can't really offer advice because like a lot of people on this forum when we are in the house every spaniel we've ever owned is with one or other of us. We've never found it a problem because a spaniel is such charming company! You will find advice on separation anxiety on the net but such a small puppy is going want building up gradually to be being left. At the moment you're her hope of survival- that's all she's telling you. Her confidence will come slowly when she's more secure and trusts you.   

[Bellamum]

Thank you for the advice, it's so hard not to get caught up doing something wrong trying  to do the right thing (I.e not being with them 24/7 so you don't develop separation anxiety) she is doing really well with toileting so we would live to have her with us more and more round the house, just don't want to spoil her x

Thanks again

[daw]

Obviously you love her and want to do the right thing! The best rule is just look at any problems from a pup's eye view. In fact I think it works for whatever age they are. Good luck.

[Markr64]

When you leave her do you leave a radio playing or something like that. It does not have to be very loud and it does seem to settle a dog. Our boy is 6 months old and we still leave the radio on when we go out and he is not a problem.

[Bellamum]

Yeah we do, she was used to that from the breeders so she has that on all the time x

[Patp]

My "shadow" is 4, if she heard me moving around the house and was told to stay in a room she would howl the house down!!  However, I do know (usually from the warm patch on the bed) that when we are out she just goes to bed.

Dont expect too much from your little furbaby, you are her whole life now and ignoring her might make her more anxious.

[bizzylizzy]

As lnog as you know he doesn't need anything, I think it is really is just a matter of sticking it out. Humphrey's now 6 months and is quite happy to be left when we go out for a couple of hours, (although he'll stand and wine outside the toilet door if I'm in there!). Its a bit like when children start school - they'll wail and cry and the minute you're out of the school gates they're fine. I always leave an old T shirt of mine, leave the radio on, make sure he's been for a pee beforehand and has a drink and a safe toy. A Kong, filled with a bit of sausage or soft cheese might help. Humphrey gets his everynight as a bedtime treat - its become his ritual and he knows its lights out, we go upstairs and he stays in the kitchen. best of luck!

[tenaille]

Beau also hates being left out of things if we are in the house - its definitely a spaniel thing.
There's no chance of leaving him dozing when visiting the loo, but at least he now just sits outside the door rather than scratching and barking to get in.
To be honest I enjoy him following me and 'helping' with things, he is a companion after all and I often find myself talking to him as we potter round.

[Ben's mum]

I think its a cocker thing that they want to be with you ALL to time.  To be honest it was a shock to me when we had Ben as I wasn't prepared for how much of a shadow he would be, and my parents dogs (collies) were never like that!   However it is part of the breed and I don't think its spoiling them to let them be with you, its what they need  - company  .  I appreciate you need time to get things done and for safety reasons they can't be under your feet all the time, but part of the joy of cocker ownership is developing such a close bond with your dog when they come with you literally everywhere! I would let her spend more time with you when you are in the house, yes accidents will happen when she needs to wee suddenly, but she is still such a baby. 

[juju]

My working cocker Izzy did this as a pup. She slept all night from day one and could be left for a period during the day. She was, however, extremely lively and would wine if I left the room. I had a baby gate between the kitchen and the living room. I ignored any whining and only went back in if she was quiet. I realise that this is easier if there is only one person in the house. I soon learned that Izzy is a terrible attention seeker and has been known to backstroke along the ground to greet one of her hooman friends! Izzy will still have a few woofs and rush round the kitchen throwing a blanket about while I am in the other room eating but if ignored soon settles down. The other evening I held a meeting at my house and one lady thought Izzy was out as she hadn't heard her. I hasten to add that this 'paragon' can still be very excitable,at three and a half, but has calmed down a bit lately.