Returning to work with a puppy

Hello, It’s completely normal for a young puppy to whine and bark at the start. Bella has only just been separated from her mum and littermates and is in a completely new environment where you are the closest thing she has to a familiar anchor. To teach a puppy how to be on their own, you need to take it step by step. Start by teaching her to stay alone in a room for 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Then, build up to leaving her home alone while you take the bins out, then while you pop out to the shops, then for an hour, and so on. To make sure things go smoothly, she needs something to keep her occupied, which you are already providing. In practice, you can say "goodbye" and "hello" when you leave and come back; the idea is to establish a ritual so she understands that when "this particular thing" happens, it means you’re going away but that you always come back. You shouldn't sneak out behind her back, as this is likely to increase her stress. If you feel that she won't be able to cope with the separation just yet, you could ask a relative, a friend, or a trusted neighbour to pop in and keep her company for a little while. You could also leave her with a pet sitter every now and then. However, the ultimate goal is still to teach her to stay home alone calmly. In any case, this is perfectly normal puppy behaviour and should settle down over time. I hope these tips help you reach that goal. Best of luck, Quitterie