help in getting my pup used to being left alone

Hi need a little help please.

We have had our little girl Belle now for almost 3 weeks (she will be 11 weeks old on fri) and i have been at home for all of that time, i only need to go out to go shopping etc and for a max of 2 hours at any one time! when i go out she is kept in our kitchen with a baby gate on the entrance to the kitchen she has her bed with her toys ( she kept wetting in her crate even with the door open for her to come out!so we stopped using it) a bowl of water and i always leave the radio on for her, as soon as i leave i can hear her crying and whining and she is still doing this when i get back and as soon as she sees me she is crying and jumping up wagging her tail and then wont leave my side( its lovely to be greeted this way don't get me wrong as long as its ok for her?)
I think she is soo used to being with me or my husband when he gets home from work and she has been allowed to get on our laps and cuddle and sleep on our laps.
She also sleeps in her bed next to our bed through the night and we take her out a couple of times.
Also since we have had her she had a poorly tummy and so was put on anti biotics and pro kolin from the vet for 5 days a week after we had her and then this weekend just gone was being sick so we cut down her food amounts each feed but gave her it more often which has sorted the problem out, so i think we have probably been over attentive to her?!
Any help in making her feel happier being left would be great many thanks Karen.

I don't think being over-attentive is the problem. Staffs, and puppies in general, love being around people, so the more of that they have, the better. I think you just have to start doing it gradually. Start off very slowly; leave the room for just a couple of seconds (don't make a fuss) and then come back into the room. Build up the time slowly. If you don't already, you can get her a StagBar (from Pets At Home or bought online from Amazon) for her to chew, keep her busy for a while, or a Kong. Also, before you leave, don't make a big deal out of it, no goodbyes or anything, just leave. If you make it seem normal, it'll be more normal for her.

Agree with Tara. Suki had terrible seperation anxiety when we first got her. We started leaving her alone for very small amounts of time and building up gradually. Exercise also helps if she is tired before you leave her she is likely to sleep.

Also try not to make a big deal about coming home. Ignore her for a little bit and than give her attention.

Thanks jstaff, its all so over whelming at the start as a new owner i m soo glad i found this site with lots of help and support
We have both grown up with dogs including staffs but its a whole new ball game when its totally your responsibilty and not your mum or dads lol

Start of with 5 minutes or so. You can just go outside for a walk around the block or something. Do this multiple times everyday. The more often you leave her by herself the quicker she will get used to the idea of being on her own and that you will come back.

Don't react to the whinning or crying or she will associate getting a response with the behaviour and do it even more and for longer periods.

Firstly, Belle looks absolutely beautiful and you need more pictures up ASAP haha!

As for getting her used to being alone, start very very slowly. A few mins in another room at the start. Then work to leaving her in the house while you are outside the house possibly in the garden. Then work up to being able to leave her at home while you pop to the shops etc. I've only ever left Logan for about 45 mins tops, and he has been great. But it did take a fair bit of work to even get to this level!

Thank you matlogan its nice to have soo much help here
how do i go about getting photos on here? ive tried with no luck and i have loads on Facebook

This will help with posting pics. You will need a photobucket account but it's free and easy to set up

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t12017-how-to-post-a-photos-onto-the-forum

Agree with all above, just build up the alone time gradually, you could also leave a radio on quietly in the background.

Thank you Kathy

We leave a radio on. Pandora has a nice Ambient Sound channel, with some soft nature new age type spa music, it has even put me to sleep lol. also something to occupy the mind, we have some of the toys that you can stuff with a treat, they will occupy themselves with their sole mission of "Get the treat", we find this can tire her out aswell. We still use the crate and have recently bought a black crate cover, that helps with nap time.

Thank you jojobda

karkar73 wrote: Thank you jojobda

No problem, im still a newbie aswell hehe, i hope my advice given was acceptable. good luck :-)

As above. Just want to add. When you leave the room and she starts crying- ignore. As soon as she stops go to her and praise her. You have to get the timing right and go to her before she starts crying again. Good luck. Oh she's lovely

Practice, Practice, Practice. Everyone has given spot on advice. Good Luck!!!

My boy Bailey is now 9 weeks and I take him to work everyday, I also take him home in the afternoons before picking up the girls as it is soooooo hot here and even in the car driving his toung hangs out that being the reason for his drop-off. He seems to be fine when I leave and really happy when I get back! Hope your baby adjusts soon!!

You can try leaving and old worn tshirt afound for comfort. Marley used to fish mine out the washing basket and curl up with it. Best thing is like others have said is dont make a fuss when you come home. In reality its prob one of the hardest things your going to have to do but walk through door thinking "for the greater good" its realy a mind set and a few months down line you can fuss up when they are used to you being away so dont worry it aint forever. We all love a doggy welcome home :0)

Thank you for all your help and advice, we seem to be getting there x

Thankfully we never had this problem with Bacchus. If we put him in his crate he just goes to sleep. But he is a lazy little sod and very confident in himself.
I'm sure if you follow the advice of the seasoned staffy people it'll work out.