I recently got a JRT/Boston/Chihuahua mix, rehomed from a single mom who was overwhelmed with having a puppy. He's 17 weeks, I've had him for 3 weeks now.
I live with my sister and we both work from home. We're on the top floor of a 3 floor/3 unit apartment, so we have a couple neighbors below us. I'm concerned that his barking while we're out is/will become a problem. He doesnt love when we're behind closed doors but he's more able to entertain himself now. Crate training is going OK-he sleeps in it thru the night and will go down for naps with minimal whining. The problem is when he's left alone.
He's been alone for some 30-45 minute periods with middling success–when its evening he settles a little better. I checked my camera during our last grocery run and he whined a little maybe 10-15minutes into our absence, but was quiet when I checked later. But that same week I was out for maybe 30 minutes and when my sister got home he was barking.
Today we were out for 1.5 hours. He went for an hour long walk and played some before going in his crate. He was quiet for 5 minutes while I left, then started nonstop barking. I would check and check, still barking. At one point I checked on the camera at maybe 45 mins and it was quiet, but then when I checked back a few minutes later he was back to freaking out.
I've been trying lots of suggestions: – frozen Kong, distracts for 5-10 minutes but then right back to barking – practicing door is a bore every day – sometimes I can get to the bottom of the stairs and he's chill, but nothing that lasts long and i think he knows when he's not truly left alone (my sister is often still home working in her room). Its tricky to find time where we can both be out to practice this – making no big deal of comings/goings – covering crate etc
I know its early and he's young–if I wasnt in an apartment I'd be less concerned. But I think the general mental stress, sleep deprevation etc has contributed to major puppy blues and im just like, will I ever be able to leave him alone?
submitted by /u/ejeanie
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