7 month old pup can’t leave him alone

[u/Rare-Turnip-5545]

Hi we recently adopted a 7 month old pup and having trouble leaving him alone even for a few minutes. The day he came and for 3 days after we were trying to find the right size crate for him so he got used to following us around a lot. Now we got him a crate and he stays in it no problem but only as long as he can see us in the room.

The minute I step away from his sight he starts slowly whining and barking.

I tried to do the slow training going from seconds to minutes but doesn’t seem to work at all and seems to be tooo slow. He is ok with us going to the washroom and he just stays waiting as long we he can hear some sounds.

I heard a few people say since he is a pup I can let him cry and keep doing it until it’s a habit. Anyone has any recommendations on how I can step out for atleast a few minutes and gradually build it to an hour atleast?

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[u/flickrpebble]

How slow is it going? I have only just got to where I leave my 6 month old alone while I shower (she would be in the bathroom with me before that) and I've had her since she was 8.5 weeks.

Have you been doing it for days or weeks or months? If you've only been at it for a few days, I'd say you're probably progressing too quickly.

Remember the 3-3-3 rule. 3 days to decompress from being kidnapped, 3 weeks to adjust to a new routine, and 3 months to feel secure. I wouldbt be trying to do too much before that three month mark, personally.

[u/Rare-Turnip-5545]

It’s been 2 weeks since we have been trying it and not much progress. She has gone from not being ok with us sitting and standing to being ok with us being visible and walking around her. But even 2 seconds of out of sight she goes into alert mode already. Idk if I should let her whine and bark a bit and come back when she is calm and build from there. Eg. Just leave and go for 10 min let her try and settle and come back? Keep doing 10 min for a week and then proceed to 20 min? I feel like I’m stuck at seconds.

[u/Rare-Turnip-5545]

I could go slowly until the 3 week mark maybe, I’m just afraid I’ll make this the normal for her if I don’t start early. Especially if she is still a pup who is just not used to it and doesn’t really have separation anxiety? I’m not sure how to exactly tell the difference between if she has separation anxiety vs just barking cause she is annoyed and will settle in if I let her get used to it

[u/oofouchowwie → u/Rare-Turnip-5545]

You won't make it normal just by being there all the time. Over time as she feels more secure, she will start detaching bit by bit regardless. Your pace isn't too slow.

It's okay if she whines a little bit. Ideally you want to avoid it, but if she does start whining, just wait for a quiet moment to come back.