[LucyGoosey]

Hey everyone!

I just got my little girl, Lucy, a 7 week-old Silky/Yorkie yesterday. She's basically my shadow when I'm home. The problem is, while I don't work everyday, the days that I do work I must be gone for a good deal of the day and I'm worried about separation anxiety. That's right: I have separation anxiety anxiety!

I just need some advice on toys or training methods so she doesn't lose her mind when I'm gone. I got one of those things that you spray the treat goo into and they have to work at it to get the treat - I've read that that'll keep some dogs busy for hours... but probably not 14.

I don't think it'd be wise to put her in the cage for the entire time, even with a good feeding schedule. I don't want to upset my neighbors by having a little dog yapping all day long either.

My plan is this: I've created a little 3x3ish "playpen" area that includes her food/water dishes, some puppy pads as well as the cage with some towels and toys. I figure if I leave the cage open she can still roam around a little - or at the very least not be cramped up in a little cage - and then use the cage for naps and stuff. Plus she likes Styx so I'll leave that playing while I'm away (if nothing more to offset the crying/yapping if it happens).

I imagine this will become less of an issue as she gets older, but my first night of work is tomorrow and I'm nervous. I guess worst-case scenario is that she lost bowel/bladder control all over and I'd have some cleaning to do, but as a nurse, you don't want your patient sitting in or in contact with their own mess for any longer than it takes to get them cleaned up once you know about it.

Thanks for any/all advice! Cheers!