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Imagine, if you can, being a little baby, cared for and safe with your parents and siblings. Then imagine being abruptly removed from everything you know and plopped down in a new place, with new people, new sounds, smells, and sights. Sounds pretty scary, doesn’t it? That’s how a new puppy feels when you bring them home for the first time.
Separation anxiety is a natural response in puppies being introduced to a new household. Follow these tips to help your new puppy settle in and understand that being alone doesn’t have to be scary.
Understanding Puppy Separation Anxiety
Most responsible breeders and experts advise that a puppy shouldn’t be separated from their mother until they’re at least 8 weeks old. In the early weeks of a puppy’s life, they’re completely dependent on their mother. During the next 3-8 weeks, they learn social skills from their mother and littermates. They learn where they fit in the pack, start to navigate the world around them, and sleep snuggled up with their siblings and mother. As a pack animal, puppies are hardwired to remain close to them.
It makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint — their very survival in the “wild” depends on staying close to the pack. So, when you bring your much-anticipated puppy home, they’re leaving the only family they’ve ever known.
What to Expect In the Early Days With Your Puppy
You can almost count on some typical separation behaviors from your puppy and, once you understand these behaviors, you’ll find them much easier to deal with.
- They may cry when you’re out of sight, and follow you everywhere you go
- There will almost certainly be some howling, barking or crying when you put them in their crate
- Loud noises, like the vacuum cleaner, doorbell, or even raised voices, may frighten them
- They can be restless or frightened at night and have trouble falling asleep
- They may want to be picked up and held constantly
This is normal puppy behavior, and how you handle it will affect your puppy’s adjustment and integration into the household. All it really takes is patience, understanding, and consistency.
Tips for Helping Your Puppy Settle In
For the first few days after your new puppy’s arrival, keep everything calm and mellow. No matter how excited everyone is, being deluged with noise and mayhem will not help your puppy settle in.
Make sure they get plenty of attention from their new family and keep them involved in the household. A note of caution, though — teach young children how to handle the tiny new family member, and spend time the first few days supervising their interactions with the puppy.
Set up a routine. Be consistent with feeding, walks, potty breaks, and the use of the crate. Dogs thrive on routine, and this will help your puppy adjust.
Creating a Safe, Comfortable Space
Decide on a place for your puppy’s crate where they won’t feel isolated and alone. Many owners put the crate in their bedroom, where the puppy can feel close to their new family. The sound of your voice and some petting may help them feel secure. But do expect some whining or barking before they settle down.
There are a few time-tested methods you can try with a puppy that can’t settle down at night. Wrap a hot water bottle in a blanket or soft towel and place it in the crate. This reminds the puppy of their mother and siblings. You can also purchase a puppy heartbeat toy, which provides comfort by simulating a mother’s presence.
Some owners take an old-fashioned, ticking clock and put it near the puppy’s crate. The sound simulates the mother’s heartbeat, helping them to settle.
Most of all, be gentle and patient. The frequent whining, howling, and barking or having the puppy constantly underfoot may be trying. But, keep in mind that your new puppy has just been separated from the safety and security of everything they’ve ever known. Being nervous after leaving their mother is perfectly natural. Contact and attention from you and an established routine will help them adjust more easily to life with their new family.