I am in the unfortunate position of needing to consider rehoming my puppy if nothing else works, and I'm hoping something will, because I'll be heartbroken if I have to give her up.
She is eating up every moment of my time with severe (what seems to be) separation anxiety which means I've barely gotten any work done at all. I'm exhausted, and so is my wife, who already has attentional issues, and the lack of sleep has just made functioning at all with such a demanding pup so much harder.
We're at the end of our rope here, and as much as I absolutely adore this dog, I'm not sure my wife and I can provide what she needs, whatever it is. If anyone else here has struggled with something similar and has advice, please let me know. We're desperate.
@johnabs bro - I agree with @Pat but another alternative would be to train her like so:
- leave for 20 seconds (I.e close the door even if she starts crying)
- come back and pet + play with her (reward)
- leave for 40 seconds
- come back and pet + play with her (reward)
- leave for 60 seconds
- come back and pet + play with her (reward)
- leave for 2 minutes
- come back and pet + play with her + food
- leave for 3 minutes
- come back and pet + play with her + food
- leave for 5 minutes
- come back and pet + play with her + food
- leave for 10 minutes
- come back and pet + play with her + food
...
Until you get to a point where she can go hours (this might take several days) of being able to be alone in a room. Additionally, it's normal for young pups to occasionally cry when you leave. Last I had one when I was a teen he cried the first three days when I had to go to school. Afterwards he got used to me leaving in the mornings.
