Crying/whining when I leave

[cwong198]

I'm a new owner of a Cockapoo puppy named Dumpling, who has just turned 11 weeks old. I have been crate training him and he seems to be doing fine - he will go in at night and not cry at all when I leave him to sleep. I'll let him out to play when I'm home, but I also have him stay in his crate sometimes while I am there so he doesn't associate being in his crate with me leaving. He will whine a bit when he is in the crate and I am at home, but i will sit beside it and tell him he is a good boy and give him a treat if he stays quiet for about 5 mins.

However, I've noticed that he will cry/whine whenever I leave the house (I leave in the morning at 9, am back by 12 and leave at 1, and I have a dog walker come at 4pm and am back home by 6 - so no more then 3 hrs in a crate or by himself at a time). I have stood outside my door and can hear him howl, although I haven't had a chance to actually stay and time how long he will cry for. I have practiced leaving the room (he will whine a bit) and only coming back in when he stops to see if it will help, and I also leave the radio on while I'm away.

I assume this is normal puppy behaviour and he is just sad to be seperated from human contact and am just wondering until what age will this go on? It breaks my heart to hear him cry that way and I'm sure my neighbours are not appreciating it either!

Any advice would be much appreciated!