seperation anxiety

[melelliott]

Hello hopefully you could give me some advice on my new 11 week old puppy. He is a cross between a jack russell and a cocker spaniel. Everytime we leave him outside on his own or even in a different room on his own he starts howling and barking and throwing himself at door. He was born and lived outside when we got him so the first night we tried to get him to sleep in a kennell (which he is happy to go in) but he howled and barked so we let him sleep in our bedroom, I know this was probally the worst thing to do but my neighbours have young children and dont want to annoy them. We leave him outside when we are at work and he howls and barks when we close the door but we dont go back out to him to hopefully get him used to the fact that by doing that wont get him attention. when we return he is normally happy playing with a toy or asleep in his kennel but the neighbours say he howls and barks on an off. Is this something that he will get used to? Also when we are home we are never seperated from him because of the barking etc shall we try and keep him out side for time periods while we are still in the house? He is actually a really behaved dog (only done about 3 wee's inside and always lets us know when he wants to go outside etc. I just dont want the neighbours annoyed with the noise, I am hoping because he is still young he will get used to it but wondering if you have any tips?

Thanks Mel

[nick_j007]

Build up the times you are away from him gradually. Make your returns low key, and ignore until he is calm and quiet. Only give affection when he is calm!

Provide a Kong toy and stuff it with Nature Diet (soft) dog food. Do this five times a day for 5 minutes and begin to extend the periods for which he is left.

Pay special attention to your greetings...calm and relaxed. Wait for calm before you interact. Don't return to a dog that is barking and or whining.

How are things at this point in time?

Nick