Does My Puppy Have Separation Anxiety?

Does my puppy have separation Anxiety?

This is a question that comes up in the facebook group quite alot, with owners of their new whippet pups concerned their puppy has separation issues. Their puppy cries when they leave them and they are not sure about being in their crate.

The  good news is that this behaviour is completely normal and a behaviour that is to be expected of a young puppy who has been separated from their mum and siblings and suddenly landed in a new home. If they have never been introduced to a crate they will find this confusing and will feel very insecure about it!

Pups do expect you to nearby, and initially you need to be available to them, particularly when crate training them. Creating confidence with your absence and being in the crate will be something you want to work actively on, but for those first few weeks they will want to be nearby to create a “secure attachment”.

“Wont this make my puppy more attached and clingy??” absolutely not, a puppy who is crying everytime you leave them will create this as a habit when you leave, and they will be more insecure not knowing you will return. Leaving a puppy to “cry it out” is old fashioned and often creates more anxiety related issues and causes confidence and other issues later.

Initially stay close, and occupy your puppy with something safe, when you may need to leave the room, or allow them to follow initially. Then work on popping your puppy in a safe space, somewhere they cannot injure themselves or cause destruction - behind a gate, in a crate or similar. Ensure your pups needs have been met, ensuring they have been to the toilet, played, eaten and are overall a bit more inclined to nap.

Then pop them in their space and stay as close as possible for the first few sessions. After a few you can try flitting around the room, getting up and sitting down without it being a big deal and begin to practice in and out of the room.

Pups need time to settle in and know where they are and that you will be there for them. It is normal for pups to need you nearby, and it is typically not separation anxiety.

You can get Whippet Expert tailored support for you and your puppy HERE