It is entirely natural for a
new puppy to call out for someone to come when separated. Pups alone in
the wild would not survive without this alarm system. Therefore, all your
new dog is doing is following its instinct.
Either in the nesting box or in the wild, a puppy learns very quickly
that when separated from the pack, calls for help will allow other members
of the pack to quickly locate him.
If the puppy is very distressed and clearly emotionally upset, then I
will often suggest allowing him/her to sleep in your room, but within an
indoor kennel/crate. Then over a period of time move the crate in stages
to the spot where you want the puppy to stay for instance the kitchen.
If you decide the bedroom is not the place for the new puppy, and there
are some very good reasons why pups should not be allowed upstairs. Not least,
the fact that the bones are soft at this age and the pressure on the joints
of the front legs whilst manoeuvring downstairs, can cause a condition called
over- run. This is when the bone between the pastern and the forearm (see
points of the dog) pushes over the forearm joint causing lameness and possibly
premature arthritis
The first thing you need to know about how to overcome this noise problem
is that you must try to ignore it, to go down and scold the puppy would
be counter productive, irrespective of whether your appearance is positive
or negative the fact that you appeared in response to the cries, will have
reinforced this crying instinct.
If noise never elicits a response, then the pup will learn that this
method of communication does not work. What never works is waiting whilst
the puppy makes more and more noise then finally becoming annoyed or exasperated
and going to the puppy. All that would teach the pup was being especially
PERSISTENT really works!
Punishment does NOT teach your dog to be quiet, any more than it would
a baby crying. Punishment or anger would stress him even more and could
create behaviour problems or even affect your future relationship.
You can help your puppy accept the separation more quickly by introducing
the area you want the pup to stay gently and carefully. Feed favourite
treats in this area, if you are using a crate then you can leave a stuffed
Bone or Kong in the crate as you go up to bed. Leave a radio on low. Buy
a * DAP
Diffuser to help the puppy settle in, and a hot pad which when heated
for 5 minutes in a microwave stays warm and comfortable for up to 12 hours.
I am a staunch advocate of crate training.
Correctly introduced it speeds up the toilet training
process, gives the pup a secure and comfortable den and a bolthole in times
of stress. It can also be an invaluable asset when the pup gets older. Situations
where a dog may need the ability to accept and relax in a crate include:
Recovery from medical problems, travel, emergency, and adjustment to
a new home or a new family. Obviously the best time to introduce a crate
is as puppies.
* D.A.P Diffusers: In mammals all lactating females release substances
which are called appeasing pheromones, the function is to reassure and
calm their offspring, In the bitch these are produced 3-5 days post whelping
by the sebaceous glands of the belly near the milk glands.
They are believed to enhance attachment between mother and pups and to
reassure and comfort. As the pup explores its new environment it will come
across new stimuli which set off emotional reactions and stresses.
The pup reacts by looking for mum with her reassuring odour which stabilises
its emotional state. Research has shown that these reassuring properties
last well into adulthood. They appear to modulate both emotional state and
social interaction throughout the dog’s life. The DAP Diffuser standing
for Dog Appeasing Pheromone Diffuser is a chemical mimic of the mothers
natural pheromone and is supplied in spray and plug in varieties. I prefer
the plug in as it has a culminative effect constantly seeding the area with
calming smells.
.
Stan Rawlinson © June 2005
Stan Rawlinson (Doglistener) is a Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer
with over 25 years experience of working with dogs. He now has a successful
practice covering London Surrey and Middlesex.
Web site www.Doglistener.co.uk
E-mail enquiries@Doglistener.co.uk
reprinted with kind permission from Stan Rawlinson
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