puppy howling when left alone

[Sled dog hotel]

Things that can help are:-

Leaving a radio down low on a talking station, the sound of voices can soothe and re-assure them rather then silence.
Leaving an Old T-Sirt or jumper you have worn in their bed as your smell can re-assure and settle them.
Leaving an interactive toy Like a Kong See Link and section who to Kong for ideas on fillings and how to make them last. Theres new Kong toys now too as well as the classic that are a bit more of a challenge like the Kong Genius and Wobbler Dog & Cat Toys & Dog Treats - Pet Toys, Dog Chew Toys | KONG Company
Treat balls and toys are good too that you fill with kibble and set so it distributes pieces here and there as they play
Buster Cube - Dog-Toy.co.uk Buster cube is one type. Stag Bar chews are safe and keep interest too
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DAP Dog appeasing pheromone diffusers now called Adaptil can calm and soothe dogs and are deffinately worth a try, works like a plug in air freshener
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Sometimes leaving a Large soft toy, or several small ones in the crate or bed can help as it mimics mum or a litter mate to cuddle up too, as they would in the litter sleeping touching or atop of each other.

As well as doing all this to give a feeling of security and something to do, some dogs do need to be trained to be able to cope. If you allow access to you all the time you are in, then they can become over dependant and cant cope or amuse themselves. So when it comes to being left and you are not there then they really cant cope with being alone. I would also make sure that she is taken out for a walk, or at least exercised in the form of interactive play like chasing a ball in the garden before she is left. A tired dog who has got rid of excess energy will be happier and more likey to settle easier.

You need to start building into her routine when you are there, and preferably as said after activity, a wind down and rest period. The idea is she is left with an activity, Just literally take her to the area she is to be left when you do go out, and leave her with the suggestions above, give the goody and leave and walk away no fuss no goodbyes nothing. You then need to return in the initial stages before she has had a chance to really start barking and getting stressed out. Just let her out say nothing, and continue to ignore her,
then after a few minutes, you can then call her and give attention. From there you carry on building it up so being left is a natural part of the routine, and for longer and longer periods. That way she should be weaned gradually into being left in a way she can cope with, it becomes routine and normal and she learns that being left means you will be always be back. Leaving her with a goody also makes another good association with being left.

Just one thing I forgot to mention earlier, if you put her in a kitchen for example and shut a solid door on her, for some this can be too isolating, it works better sometimes if you use a dog control gate higher and more robust then a baby gate and works the same way, but not so isolating for them.

[topaza]

I think we have solved the problem, we have got her a basket and she now seems quite content with being left alone for short periods of time, we fill her Kong with treats, close the stair gate and she now has the run of downstairs, we have been out a couple of times since doing this and my lovely neighbour said she cried for the first 2 minutes and the second time she said there was no noise at all. So I think the cage can now go up for sale. So a big THANK YOU to everyone for their help.