New pug owner: dog anxiety issues

[DaveCSparty]

Hi everyone, I'm a new pug owner of an 8 month old boy! Very excited to have him in my life now but have a couple issues that hopefully you guys can give me advice on

1) He has been living in the country free with his family of pugs, never been alone... so now whenever we leave the room even for 10 seconds he would scratch the door or sniff under the door to make sure we're on the other side. We've left the apartment for 5 to 10 minutes but he just cried or barked the whole time. We don't want to be the "loud" neighbors so we went back in before it went on and on...

2) He is VERY scared on walks now that he is in the big city. Everytime a bus drives by he jumps, and even on quiet streets his tail would be down and pull way ahead of me. If I slow him down he just do circles on his harness and go back in front again.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I will definitely sign up for obedience classes soon, or maybe hire a private trainer to help with the anxiety issues. Thanks in advance!

[Lola's Mum]

Welcome! We love pics :)

1) I don't have any real experience with this - but I think you should ease him into being alone more - like leave him for a little while, then come back and pet him/give him treats. When he seems better with that amount of time, gradually increase it.

2) Also I would say just take it slow - it's understandable for him to be scared/overwhelmed I think. The leash and the noise is probably new to him.

[freak]

It will take time for your puggy to adjust, lots of walks and taking him to pet stores etc.
Pugs want to spend all there time with you as it is. Bonding time and socializing him i think he will adjust.

good luck, once you have it down you will have a best friend forever

[Tinker's mom]

Hello & to the village!
I agree with the above, they are velcro dogs, and just want to be with you.Just give him time to adjust and certainly do the classes.Glad you found us.

[TNPUGMOMOF2]

Give him a Kong with food and yogurt frozen in it when you leave. Buy an few and rotate them from the freezer. It will give him something to do and something to look forward to when you have to leave him. Can you crate him? That provides somewhere safe for him to go a "den" if you will. I know mine love their crates.