Leaving pup for the first time

[barb1314]

Hi all.Well we collected Lottie(12 wk old black lab) on Saturday and she has been really great so far.Adorable nature.Brilliant recall and lovely on the lead.A very responsive little girl.We had to leave her this morning for just over half an hour and I recorded her on my mobile.She howled and cried but eventually settled.She is in the kitchen in the most luxurious crate ever! She has been going in there very happily for the last 3 days whenever she needs a break and sleeping in there at night.No problems and amazingly no accidents.Has anyone any advice on how we can make her feel happier when we're out. I left the radio on and gave her lots of toys.Am i right in thinking that once she learns we will always come back to her that she will improve?Please don't give me any grief about the crate (as I know many of you don't agree with them) Thanks for your help.

[tiara4321]

hi your lottie is a lovely sweet pup. i lost my lab last summer she just died very suddenly cancer. anyway she was with me 24 seven and even if i went to toilet she used to come with me. I left her a few times as you have to some times, one night i came home 4am and every thing was fine next day i had left patio door open and the police where in my front room???? any way my neighbour had heard the dog whinging all night and as she hadnt heard a noise from me and dog was on floor beside bed she thought well not sure what she thought anyway they police actually walked into my house and called me and told me neighbour was worried cos what the dog had been doing.also a mate of mine was in my house i popped out to get something over the road and she said dog started panicing so iguess really i should of left her on her own alot more when she was a pup,but as i could spend a lot of time with her i did. i think labs are lovely i do want another one but could never replace her as each has there own personality, has lottie chewed anything yet mine did for about a little while till she finished teethin i used to give her a carrot as thought the coolness would ease the pain it seemed to work quite well. but you just learn not to leave anything out. and labs do have atendancy to chew skirting boardsmustard on it usually works. my lab ate my mothers rug but the underneath luckily thats cos my dad fell asleep. anyway very jealous but enjoy her as she is very special love tiara

[tiara4321]

oh yes i forgot i would even leave animal planit on for her yes the crate is a good idea. my hose had conservertoty which i left open and my house was locked so she was very spoiled and the area i lived in was a very safe one. as if i hadnt had this op i would of used a crate.gl with lottie

[barb1314]

Hi tiara,so sorry to hear you lost your beloved lab.I lost my last dog,jade a border collie, 2 yrs ago and only now feel ready for another. She is asleep downstairs in her crate in the kitchen as I type so her confidence is building slowly (it's only been 5 days after all!) Normally even if she is exhausted she will cry as soon as I step on the stairs.We live in a 4 storey cottage so it keeps me and her very fit! As yet she has only chewed her toys and nylabone...trying to develop her with a chew toy habit. I wish I didn't have to go back to work but on Monday I do so that will be a tester.She will be in a crate with me at work for a few hours but I won't be in her eyeline so we will see how she is.Need to practice all over the weekend. She had her first journey in the car in the crate today and there wasn't a peep from her...in fact she went to sleep all the way there and back.!It's so cosy I could sleep in there.It's a soft crate (collapsible waterproof etc) and it's her bed at night so I think she feels really safe in there and it's familiar. So far so good.Thanks so much for your answer and I hope, when you feel able to cope emotionally,you will have another dog.

[barb1314]

Oh and a carrot for teething,what a great idea.Thanks.