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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