My partner is in the army and went back to Germany this morning. Our pup Esme (16 weeks old) has been moping for him all morning! She'll wait by the window or she'll go to the top of the stairs and waits outside my bedroom door thinking he's in there. Is there anything I can do to make her feel better? She already has a shirt of his and I'm sure it smells like he's here still so I don't know what else to do. It's horrible watching her like this! One minute she cuddles up to me for comfort and the next she'll nibble my hands like she's taking it out on me. Thanks, Becky.

Becky, I can't help a lot but figured a response from someone would be nice.  This board is slow - sometimes *real* slow over the weekend.  People and dogs are off doing their weekend <whatever>, but they'll be back Monday.

If you do a search here for separation anxiety (or just click on that link) you find about 50 threads where separation anxiety has been mentioned.  Most of them are going to be about the terror their dog becomes when everyone leaves the house, but you might find a couple that will be similar to the position you find yourself in.

If you're feeling lost because he's deployed then Esme will pick up on that feeling from you. Maybe, if your English weather permits, it might be a good exercise to get her out for a long, long walk - maybe that'll help both of you.

Good news - she's bonded. But it can be really sad to watch her mope about. And I'm guessing that Al hit the nail on the head - I'll bet you are missing your partner, too. I second a nice walk and lots of playtime for both of you. Cuddling with her while you watch tv or whatever will be good for both of you.

The only thing I would be cautious about - the temptation to let puppy sleep with you may be great (I don't know your situation) but, unless you want to continue that, like forever, when your partner is home again, I would not let her in bed with you. Once you open the barn door...

Thank you both of you for replying! Your replies have helped, I thought that maybe I was doing something wrong but that's reassured me. I'm going to take her for a nice long walk (luckily the rains let up) to get both of our minds off of my partner haha ☺️

It'd be lovely to cuddle up with her at night but I've already thought about that- especially as my partner is away for months at a time it'd be a real problem letting her sleep with me as she would get too used to it. She sleeps in my room but in her own bed ☺️ Although she does try jumping onto my bed before bedtime in a way to show me that she won't be going easily! Thank you again both of you.

You're quite welcome - and btw, since both Amy and I are remiss - Welcome to the forum!!

Welcome to the forum Becky......I will add that this is a wonderful opportunity for you and Esme to form a solid bond. When Miya was 8 months my husband had to go for training, for a week so not as long term but, Miya had severe separation anxiety. That was a wonderful time for her and I to solidify our bond. We went places, took walks, and reinforced training. To this day, Miya listens to me better than my husband, and I think in part it was due to that time. It also got rid of her separation anxiety, knowing I was there, and eventually he came back. Good Luck!!