If you work, don’t go directly to his crate when you get home, though this is very tempting. If your puppy whines, cries, barks or howls, leave him in the crate until he has calmed down. Then, release him, lavish him with praise and take him out.
Consider having a family member, friend or neighbor look in on your puppy if you are away all day. Have the person take him to his outdoor bathroom and for a little walk. Possibly they could play with him for a while before putting him back in the crate. Instruct them to put your puppy back into the crate and leave without any fuss. This is very important. Fussing over a dog that is already anxious will only make him worse.
Try to stay on schedule as much as possible. That way your puppy will know when you are coming home. Dogs have a knack for telling time and after you’ve returned home at that same time for a few days, he will look forward to your arrival.
Avoiding Separation Anxiety
Make sure that your puppy gets lots of exercise and is taken out in the morning before you leave for work. The crate will become your puppy’s den. Any accidents will upset him, as dogs never “go” in their dens. This can also make his anxiety worse.
When you leave in the morning, put a toy or two into your puppy’s crate. A gong is perfect. Stuff it with a bit of peanut butter or a dog treat. That will keep him busy while you make your departure. Don’t make a fuss when you’re going out the door. Put puppy in his cage with his toy, say something like, “see you later,” or “see you tonight,” and leave. The less fuss, the less anxiety your puppy will feel.
It’s natural for your puppy to whine and cry when you leave. True separation anxiety is when your puppy barks, howls, cries and whines the entire time you’re gone. (And you will find out. The neighbors will tell you.) He may escape his crate and engage in destructive behavior while you’re gone. I’ve come home to an entirely empty table, a Christmas tree on the floor that had been stripped of all decorations and one time when our dog was young, he got a film for the camera. We found the container it was in, but to this day we’ve never found the film. We watched him carefully, but wherever that film went, it didn’t cause him any adverse physical effects. We were lucky. Be sure to puppy proof your home.