A puppy learning to be on their own is all part of their training. This is NORMAL.

Sleep deprivation is used as torture for a reason, and just like children sleeping through the night, it gets easier, and puppies are faster!

Separation distress is different to separation anxiety.

It is important to create a Safe Space or “Zen Den”

Crate/Bed/Kennel

Create a safe and comfortable area for the puppy and make it look, smell, and feel inviting. Use soft blankets to cover the crate to make it darker then train the puppy to enjoy being in his safe space/crate. Never use this space as a “time out” or for any negative consequences.

Here are some tips.

• At anytime during the day practise the crate games like encouraging them to lay quietly in the crate

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• Stick to a bedtime routine so they know what to expect when – have a wind down routine.
• Pups that go to bed at 7pm are unlikely to make it through the night.
• They are not likely to sleep through the night if they have slept all day – ensure they are being trained and exercised enough throughout the day but still allow for plenty of rest. Find the balance. Too much can overstimulate them.
• Not too close to bedtime train with them and play some games that involve them using up some energy and allowing for light mental stimulation.
• Review the toileting schedule to make sure they have toileted before bedtime.
• Add a source of warmth (warm not hot) – be careful of puppies who chew through anything. Wheat or barley bags are safest.
• Create a surrogate sibling using a soft toy (sometimes with a heartbeat) – again if this has batteries be mindful of dogs who chew through anything.
• Cover the crate so one end is dark
• Add an old t-shirt that has been worn by a family member
• Smells that sooth dogs – vanilla, ginger, coconut, and valerian
• Adaptil spray
• Leave a night light on
• Play some sleepy classical music on low volume.
• Controlled crying is not recommended for children or dogs. You can comfort a restless or destressed dog and try to resettle them if they have been out to the     toilet. Keep everything low key, calm and quiet.

The video quality is not great, but this is a perfect example of teaching a pup to enjoying being in a pen (restricted space) by Emily Larlham.

How to train your dog to be left alone- clicker training

Dog Training by Kikopup

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This game can help with separation distress.

Yoyo game

You may need to crate (with the door open), tether, fence or have someone hold the lead to keep the dog in one spot initially. If someone holds the lead, no attention from them.

Wait for the dog to settle, lie down, or sit in a relaxed position. Don't give any cues—saying "Wait there, I'll be back in a minute" or "Stay," for example—as we want the ready behaviour to be a default and not something that needs to be cued.

• Take one step away from the dog. If they are calm, mark and return to your dog. There is no food as the dog’s reinforcement is you returning to them while they stay calm.
• Take two steps away from the dog. If they are calm, mark and return.
• Take three steps away from the dog. If he is calm, mark and return. If he is not calm, wait quietly until he calms down, then mark and return.  Then start again, taking just one step away from your dog.
• Repeat starting again at one step for any attempt to follow you or get up.

With these small successes, you'll soon run out of room and will have to go through a doorway and out of sight. In keeping with a "set the dog up for success" policy, don't leave the room just yet. Take the dog to another room and repeat the procedure—from the start—in that room. Do this in several rooms in the house and then perform the exercise outdoors.

When you get up to 20 to 25 steps away from the dog outside go back to the first room and try going out of sight. When you are trying out of sight count seconds not steps. Starting again with 1 second and building up.

There is no food as the dog’s reinforcement is you returning to them while they stay calm. If they get up or become restless, we start again at one step. Remember to have breaks for playing and watch for signs of the dogs finding the “game” too much.

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More Separation Training Tips

https://dogmantics.com/separation-training-tips/

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