Time alone

Being alone is a skill to introduce gradually. First help your puppy feel comfortable resting while you are nearby. Then try very brief separations and return before they become worried. Increase time only when the previous step is easy; a few seconds may be the right starting point.

There is no age formula that guarantees emotional comfort. A puppy who can wait between toilet trips may still struggle with separation.

Use a safe resting area and meet food, water, toilet, and companionship needs first. Where possible, observe or record brief absences. Pacing, repeated barking, panting, or trying to escape can signal distress. Make the next practice easier rather than leaving them longer to get used to it.

Arrange a trusted person to help when an absence exceeds what your puppy can currently manage. Crates and food toys do not treat separation anxiety on their own. If distress persists, speak to your vet and seek a qualified professional who uses positive methods.