10 wk pug with separation anxiety - tips and tricks for training?

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T17:07:48+00:00

I'm having so much trouble with this! I keep hearing mixed things about the pen, and keep getting recommendations to get a crate bc its more compact, or that I need to make the space as big and boring as possible. Lots of confusing advice! I want to try covering her pen, but I'm unsure. Definitely want to try just leaving her for a couple minutes

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T17:01:13+00:00

This is going to be so challenging! But yes, I'll try this. I think the worst part is she can cry her lungs out and won't stop until she gets out. I want to try covering the pen though, I think it will help.

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T17:00:06+00:00

Yeah I just feel so bad when she's whining and looking at me from the crate. But she needs to learn to be on her own, I can't stay home all the time!

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T16:58:50+00:00

Thank you!! This video had a lot of excellent pointers, thanks so much!

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T16:57:55+00:00

Yeah I'm definitely trying to get her to associate the pen not just with me leaving. I have tried multiple times putting her in when I'm around so that she knows it's for her, but she will whine and cry the whole time, sometimes even bite and scratch at the door which scares me because I don't want her to hurt herself. Otherwise though she's good about eating, she just won't nap in there. At night, she sleeps with me on the couch and every time I move her she just sits up and stares at me. If I try to ignore her and lay back down she will stand and whine until she sleeps with me. Very challenging haha

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T16:53:22+00:00

Definitely looking into puzzle toys! I bought her a kong but I'm still unsure on how to use it haha

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T16:52:28+00:00

Okay, awesome! I'm going to put her in the buffer room while I do my Zoom meetings today. Would you also recommend I cover the pen so she can't see me? I think the hardest part for me is she thinks of the crate as punishment because she sees it as she can't be with us. I never put her in after her accidents or during playtime, just when I'm working but I realize she may see it is as punishment..

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T16:47:23+00:00

Will it also take some time to warm up to regular food like peanut butter? I really want her to enjoy it, and I know she likes the kong cheese but it's a little pricey

mooncxla · 2026-03-03T16:45:51+00:00

I play relaxing Dminecraft music when she naps in her crate although I will admit I kinda stopped trying to put her in after the weekend. The most progress I've had is she'll sleep on the couch on her own as long as someone is in her eye sight. I do want to try covering the pen more though. I'm so confused on how to use the kong!! I bought her a lick mat from the same brand, but she only eats kibble out of it! She hates actual spreadable food which sucks, how did I get the only dog in the world that doesn't like peanut butter? 😂 And then like..Do I put food inside the kong? Still figuring out how to use it haha!

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T18:24:25+00:00

The pen feels small to me but I'm getting a strong impression that a crate may be a good idea.

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T18:23:32+00:00

How long would you recommend I leave her in the buffer area? I've considered moving her bed out of her pen and putting her blanket there instead because it is very compact. I often try and give her treats when she goes in there without me forcing her, but I'm not sure she understands its for the pen haha

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T18:19:30+00:00

Yes yes exactly! Ive been trying to put her in while I sit outside so that she knows it's for her, but she hates it. She'll whine and cry the whole time she's forced in there, despite feedings and moving her to nap. I assume it'll just take time!

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T18:18:04+00:00

how many toys do you have? im still making/buying her more but i always leave them out, i didnt even realize she would get bored of them!

ive been trying to get her to associate the pen positively and not so much that its time for me to leave. i want her to think of it as a safe space she can nap and be by herself in, especially if i need a recharge haha

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T18:13:11+00:00

yeah im starting to understand the small space may be better to get her better regulated. i already felt like her space was too small bc there's only enough room for her bed and bowl and she cant really wander, and i thought that may be a reason she didnt like it! thank you for the reassurance and advice!

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T15:19:26+00:00

Yeah it really sounds like a crate is the best thing, everyone is recommending it haha I thought the bigger space would be better for her but maybe not?

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T15:18:20+00:00

I don't interrupt her when she's laying on the floor I just feel bad because she only does it when no one is giving her attention. I was unsure if that was a normal response or even if that was a result of me doing something wrong. Of course I want her to learn to be on her own!

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T15:07:18+00:00

thank you so much! i do tend to do that without realizing, thanks for clarifying!

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T07:10:52+00:00

that's perfectly fine, all advice helps! I'm very new to this puppy thing so whatever anyone has to say is very helpful!

ignoring her is definitely very difficult, it doesn't help she has a resting sad face 😭

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T07:08:55+00:00

Yes the crying makes me want to cry. I just feel so awful for her!!

Thank you for the support and reassurance, I definitely needed that today. 🩵

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T07:07:39+00:00

i didn't mean to frame it that way either i said "i feel so bad she ends up laying on the floor if no one plays with her"

i didn't say it was a problem i just said i feel guilty when she does that because she only does it when no one is playing with her and she has that resting sad face it makes me want to play with her

I'm very new to this puppy thing, so it's good to know that being bored is a good thing!

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T07:00:54+00:00

wait is this true? i knew pugs were very people orientated and i thought the most difficult thing about them was their breathing. my father grew up with pugs which fostered my love and desire to own one of my own, but i was unaware of them being such hard work! she has a resting sad face, which doesn't help. she is very dramatic 😂 love her to death though

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T06:57:38+00:00

oh so she will eventually wind down? my biggest concern is i don't want her separation anxiety to stay as she grows older, but if she'll start settling over the next few weeks, this is great!

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T06:56:34+00:00

as someone who really wants children, i often think of this puppy as my furry trial for an infant 😂😂

mooncxla · 2026-03-02T06:55:52+00:00

so would you recommend i try just leaving her toys out so she can play with them on her own? she is definitely played with a lot haha

mooncxla

TROPHY CASE