New Puppy with (apparent)Separation Anxiety

Question
Dear Dr Connor,

I brought a new puppy home two weeks ago next Monday (4 Aug) when he was six weeks old.  Since then, he's grown quite attached to me to the point that he only leaves my side when he falls asleep and I can sneak away.

It seems cruel to me to just let him cry outside the door when I'm in my room or in the bathroom, but I don't know what else to do.

The current living situation includes myself, my father and my mother who is now housebound due to six months worth of surgeries.

The puppy, Tagg, sleeps in my room with me on the bed.  I put him on the bed with me so I would wake up when he tried to get off the bed to "do his duty."

He's mostly house broken now, except when I'm in my room and he's in the living room with my parents.  Then he has                          s (accidents) where my parents can't see him to catch him before hand and I can't help but to almost step in it when I come out.

So, how can I relieve this anxiety of his?  When I took him to the vet for his first shots, she said to put him in a separated room and leave him there until he stops crying.  Somehow, that seems like it will just exacerbate the problem.

I appreciate any advice you might be able to provide.

Sincerely,
Tracy

Answer
I suggest you find another veterinarian.  Such poor advice from a professional makes me concerned that her other skills might not be up to par.

You have a neonate.  It is perfectly NORMAL for him to follow you, cry when he's separated, and appear to be overly attached.  This will pass.  It is not separation anxiety.  Also, no 8 week old puppy can be house trained, it's physiologically impossible.  You may be successfully catching his need to eliminate (which is a GOOD THING and you will have a fully house trained dog by 16 weeks of age), but he is unable to contain his urine or his stool at this age.  It's best for the dog not to have any "accidents" in the house, so you might want to be certain to keep a very close eye on him, or confine him to a small space (bathroom) when you are unable to observe him; but don't worry too much about it.  Dogs repeat what is most rewarding behavior.  If you continue to give him fair opportunity to eliminate outdoors, and heavily praise/reward his appropriate elimination there, he will choose that behavior.  Don't scold or discipline his "accidents" as this will disturb his trust in you and won't contribute one thing to house training.  Puppies poop and pee, that's part of the package.  This too shall pass.