I knew it was going all to well…

[VanillaBean]

We have set up an area for Honey within the downstairs bathroom and hall way, that is adjacent to the lounge. There is a baby gate between these two, and Vanilla is in the lounge. Honey could see Vanilla if she sat at one end of the gate.

When we are together we spend the time in the actual lounge, so I think this could be in part what the issue is for Honey.

OH had to go out yesterday for about 30min, and again this morning for a similar amount of time. Honey unfortunately has howled the place down and also soiled the crate on both occasions. The crate is not locked so she had the space up to the baby gate. There was a mat down for any accidents. OH has not managed to spend to much time in doing leave alone within this area, but when we have done it she is OK for a few minutes. I know it needs more training and will get better, but maybe the setup is wrong?

We feed Honey in the crate etc. and I know it is pushing it for the 30min. but these appointments could not be helped. Of course we need to build this up as soon OH will be going back to work for half a day. So at most Honey would be left alone is about 2 ½ hours. Of course Vanilla is fine.

I can’t work out is it that Honey is not happy in that room with the setup or is it that she can smell/see Vanilla and wants to be near her. Thing is Vanilla goes upstairs once Honey starts to howl so I think that could make the situation worse.

Is it worth moving the crate and set up a play pen within the actual lounge and see how that works given how the interaction has been between the two? I can’t necessarily see them playing through the gate, as Vanilla does not go into Honeys area.

Could it be in part that because OH has been at home and is doing everything that Honey is getting to attached? The problem on that part is that OH got upset when we got Vanilla and she got to attached to me, even though we shared things. This caused plenty of arguments, so I have tried to take a step back, but I am now wondering if that maybe is not that wise after all.

Appreciate any pointers…

 

[Leanne]

Being totally honest I think maybe your jusy expecting a bit too much.. she’s had her her world turned around and I know your anxious about having to leave her soon to go to work but from my (limited) experience some dogs take longer to accept it.

Mas howled for weeks at nighttime - I used to sit on the stairs and rock. Even now he’s 10 months... if I go upstairs and leave him in the living room he barks so now he sits by the bottom step and then he’s fine bevause he doesn’t miss anything.

I would work on making the crate the most wonderful place in the world for her - do you have a huggy bear? That REALLY helped us - it has the ticking sound and gets warm so that it feels like a body to snuggle up too.

 

[Leanne]

We also have a dog cam that we got from groupon for an absolute steal (£14!!) it means you can speak to them through it and also you can hear and obviously watch them... could that help? You could see what she is doing when she gets upset?

Maybe do some training with her before hand so hopefully she sleeps too?

 

[VanillaBean]

Thanks @Leanne, we are getting a dogcam just mot 100%sure about the voice. She has toys, hot water bottle and ticking clock, piece of our clothing etc. She will go in on her own and I always make sure that treats are in there for her to find.
I think in part we have not done enough training with her yet on this, which I just wanted her to settle in first same as Vanilla when we got her. But somehow Vanilla took to the crate so easily, this one I think will be trickier.
We will see, as I can spend next few days training her and getting her used to it more. We are also lookkng at moving her from our bedroom to downstairs to try and help her adjust. But all will be played by ear

 

[VanillaBean]

OK I think I may have narrowed it down. She has become too attached to Vanilla...OH had to go out for 10min again to Doctors, and when came back Honey was crying again. She picked her up once quiet, but then started again. Took her outside for toilet and she started to cry. Vanilla was upstairs on sofa asleep. Once Honey saw her she just calmed right down and fell a sleep on the floor but face facing Vanilla.
I am going to try and move her crate and set up the pen in the same lounge as Vanilla downstairs and see if that helps Honey to settle better. This does mean Vanilla is locked in the lounge downstairs, so potentially I may have another issue, but hopefully not and it is all quiet.
This I also think will make it difficult for us to move Honey downstairs during the night to get her toilet trained. So might have to get a second crate...

Only thing I can think off

 

[snowbunny]

You’ve had her, what? Two days? I know you’re on a timetable but you really are asking an awful lot for her to be happy being left for two and a half hours after only a couple of weeks. Some pups will be fine with that, but many will not. I don’t think it’s a case of her being too attached to Vanilla at all; I think she’s just scared at being abandoned for so long when she’s not had time to settle in yet.

 

[Jen]

Stanley would’ve screamed the house down too. It’s only been a few days.

He couldn’t be left on his own for more than a few minutes until he was 17/18 weeks old. Sounds like you were extremely luckily with Vanilla, I’d say she was the exception rather than the rule x

 

[Cath]

Have you got her a cuddle toy about the same size as her? It doesn't have to be new. She can cuddle up to it like her littermates. She is still only tiny and will be missing her mum and littermates.

When we got Annie and I had to go shopping, I place her in her crate (and shut its door) in the same room as Fred. She could see him and smell him. I would be only about 30 mins. Don't forget to place a blanket over the back and top of the crate, leave the front of it uncovered. You have to make her feel safe. I left the radio on low too on a talking station.

When I was at home, I left the crate in the same place and left the door open all the time. If you want her upstairs with you at night at first, place a box or in our case a cat carrier next to our bed for Annie to sleep in. By the time she grew out of it she was fine down stairs at night with Fred.
Good luck.

 

[kateincornwall]

Agree with @snowbunny and @Jen . Reuben is 18 weeks and can be left in the kitchen ( behind bars ) for about an hour or so , I don't know if he cries or not but he seems to be just getting off his bed when we get back and we always listen at the door for a minute , so I don't think so . It took several weeks to get him into some semblance of a settled routine , so a couple of days is no time at all , Honey may seem fine when everyone is around, but still feeling all at sea during the night . I`m afraid I took the easy route , the one less stressful for all of us , and had him in the bedroom , he is still in the bedroom but frankly I don't care , he sleeps and so do we !

 

[Jacqui-S]

I found a kong in the crate really helpful. Obviously not frozen or anything at this stage. There was them a strong link between us going out and Lilly volunteering to go to the crate.
It's really early days. Little but often. You will get there x

 

[Selina27]

I agree with others it's very early days, I think you've had good advice from all, especially @Cath.

They are all different I know, but for Cassie it was something she had to learn fairly quickly. When she was very tiny I managed to time any quick trips out with her sleeping, being tired enough meant that she didn't even know I'd gone, and as she got older I paired it with a kong when going to work.

 

[Boogie]

You’ve had her, what? Two days? I know you’re on a timetable but you really are asking an awful lot for her to be happy being left for two and a half hours after only a couple of weeks. Some pups will be fine with that, but many will not. I don’t think it’s a case of her being too attached to Vanilla at all; I think she’s just scared at being abandoned for so long when she’s not had time to settle in yet.

I agree with this. It really is worth building it up slowly. Some cope straight away, others don’t.

Spencer is fine if leaving him is part of the normal routine, this took a lot of time for him to cope with - starting with seconds and building up slowly to an hour. Now he can manage two hours fine.

But if I suddenly expect him to be alone with no warning he shouts the place down and he’s eight months old.

PS - I don’t think there is any such thing as ‘too attached’ - it’s a case of them learning and trusting that they are fine and you will be back. Some pups take longer to get this than others, but working at it always pays off.


.

 

[VanillaBean]

Thanks all, I know it is early days and yes I do think we got lucky with Vanilla. She was as quiet as a mouse. Her crate is covered on all sides, she has a toy (actually a few) but one specific for the crate. I spent some time this afternoon with her being alone, ie: a second or two. She would cry, I then moved her crate into the lounge and hey presto quiet as a mouse for ages.so going to try that and set up the pen and work on that. Might hopefully have it solved

 

[MellowYellow]

I would be thrilled that Honey is so attached to Vanilla, if I were you. Probably if you move the crate/pen is next to Vanilla's bed, then she will settle quicker and better. Try not to expect too much at this stage, right now leaving her alone in the crate without crying for five minutes is about all you can realistically expect.

 

[VanillaBean]

OH is downstairs with Honey and I am upstairs with Vanilla. She is crying like anything. Vanilla just went down and Honey stopped straight away and settled.

would be thrilled that Honey is so attached to Vanilla, if I were you

I am thrilled as this is going better than I anticipated between the two of them.

I think will stick with my original plan which and move her crate and set up the play pen in the lounge. We change that at last minute, but don't think it was a good idea

 

[Charlie]

I wonder if just being in sight of Vanilla is reassuring to Honey, she is just a baby and everything is so new and scary. I would also be happy at this attachment which I personally believe is a real thing. I am sure it will all settle down with constant, slow gradual training. xx

 

[Cupcase]

I wouldn't worry too much just now. Once you start spending time teaching her how to behave, she will bond with you more and more. As has been said Honey is just a puppy and will find comfort in one of her own kind.
I found that when we got Cupar ,Cassie my older girl mummied him, I allowed this initially with restrictions, he slept in a crate, he got lots of tiny time outs from her and I spent as much time, one on one with Cupar.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Rory slept in his crate in the living room and the other dogs had free access to the area. It went well they all got on and Rory didn't feel lonely. He was always in his crate at first if they were alone. The danger is to over think if they are fine let them be,. Don't worry that she finds another dog and not an unknown monkey more comforting during her adjustment to being taken from her home. She'll bond with you in the next few weeks and shes going to be fab.

 

[VanillaBean]

We moved the crate and pen into the lounge. She still cries a little but does now howl down the house like she did in the otehr space. So I think moving it should resolve the issue of her howling the house and neighborhood down.
Vanilla has her timeouts and Honey hers so that works well between them.

It was cure cute yesterday after Vanilla's morning walk when we got back, she had to go and say hello to Honey. Once done Vanilla was happy to be hosed down after her beach walk.

I think overthinking it always makes it harded. You know that they will be fine and once settled be perfect, but you always try and find the best way quickly rather than taking a step back and see

 

[VanillaBean]

Well we had to go out for about 1hour today. Gave Vanilla her treat that we always do when we go out. Gave Honey a Kong with some food in (not frozen) as she is still getting used to the Kong. Parked the car down the road, as Vanilla recognises the car coming up the drive and she would run to the front door.
We walked up to front door, no sound so that was good. Looked though the glass and saw Honey laying in the middle of the pen looking at the front door. So hoping that this has done the trick with moving it and that she now feels more secure and settled. We will see what happens this week, as they will be on their own for a couple of hours tomorrow.