Whining

[tumpman]

hi, we just got the most adorable yorkshire terrier pup(female)(4 months). Everything going well we dont mind her sleeping in our bed so its all gravy. But next monday (30th) three of us will be out for a week with only mum at home. At the moment there are two of us home all day to spend time with it and will return to this when we get back. Mum works 9-4 so we are trying to get it used to being alone for a while so twice a day at the moment we all leave the house for increasing amounts of time, about 30 minutes today. But when we return she greets us at the stairs whining and occasionally shivering. We confort her but just want to know that this is normal and sometimes she continues whining for about five minutes after we return and are playing.
We do not keep her in a crate and am just wondering is this normal?
thanks in advance for any help

 

[mantine]

Maybe you shoudl try crating her or leaving her in a room that is puppy safe with some of her toys while you are gone. Maybe she feels insecure in the new "big" house all by herself?

 

[Sher]

I wonder if you should be 'comforting' her when you return? Isn't this 'rewarding' the whining behavior that you don't want? I think I would just return and act normally, hardly acknowledging her for the first few minutes, then just a couple of pats on the head to let her know this is just how it is...no 'big' deal. Also, I wouldn't make leaving a big deal, either. Just be matter of fact about it. If you are anxious and concerned about leaving or coming home, the dog will pick up on that, too.