ChatterBank1 min ago
Any tips on dealing with a dog that has separation anxiety?
I've recently got a 9-month-old labrador/staffy cross and he's LOVELY!
The only problem is that he doesn't like being left on his own. He goes mad (barking and scratching at the door) when I leave the house, although I don't know how soon afterwards he calms down. I am planning to sit (out of his smelling range) and listen to discover that soon.
At the moment, he is being left for up to four hours and I want to train him to "last longer". However, a couple of times already, I have come back to find that he has chewed something - a peg bag, a towel and (today) the packaging off of a brand new TV remote!
He gets a 15-minute walk in the morning and again in the evening and has lots of toys to play with when I am out. He also has the run of the house (execept the bedrooms) and is left with plenty of food and water.
Is there anything else that I can "try"?
T.I.A.
The only problem is that he doesn't like being left on his own. He goes mad (barking and scratching at the door) when I leave the house, although I don't know how soon afterwards he calms down. I am planning to sit (out of his smelling range) and listen to discover that soon.
At the moment, he is being left for up to four hours and I want to train him to "last longer". However, a couple of times already, I have come back to find that he has chewed something - a peg bag, a towel and (today) the packaging off of a brand new TV remote!
He gets a 15-minute walk in the morning and again in the evening and has lots of toys to play with when I am out. He also has the run of the house (execept the bedrooms) and is left with plenty of food and water.
Is there anything else that I can "try"?
T.I.A.
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Thanks lankeela.
As with a lot of things in life, the timing of me being offered my dog might not have been 100% "ideal". However, there was no way I was going to let him be put to sleep and the guy getting rid of him virtually begged me to have him. I certainly wasn't going to let him be put to sleep and if I have to "work" with him and "suffer" some "consequences", then so be it.
By "expert" i meant someone who has trained/works with dogs as a profession.
I knew what you meant by "peanut butt". i bought a "kong" yesterday and he loves it! I've just come in from being out for a while and he's not "done" a thing, excpet empty the kong of the biscuits it had in it. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell me whether the radio had a "calming" effect on him! :o)
As with a lot of things in life, the timing of me being offered my dog might not have been 100% "ideal". However, there was no way I was going to let him be put to sleep and the guy getting rid of him virtually begged me to have him. I certainly wasn't going to let him be put to sleep and if I have to "work" with him and "suffer" some "consequences", then so be it.
By "expert" i meant someone who has trained/works with dogs as a profession.
I knew what you meant by "peanut butt". i bought a "kong" yesterday and he loves it! I've just come in from being out for a while and he's not "done" a thing, excpet empty the kong of the biscuits it had in it. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell me whether the radio had a "calming" effect on him! :o)
surreyguy really I have a friends who leave dog in a cage from up to 6 hours at a time. The dog loves it because it has grown up with it since was a puppy. they leave it a few squeeky toys, and some water and they can go out for the day care free. if there is thunder the dog immediately runs into the cage as it feels safe in there. its like the cage is part of him. Definately not recomended for more than 6 hours though or if it is then definately dont keep it in a cage at night...
Surreyguy. I'm sorry if my advice upset you; if you re-read it you will see that I actually gave much the same advice as other trainers. Your post: he is being left for up to four hours and I want to train him to "last longer" gave no indication that you were going to start with very short periods and you stated that he "is left with plenty of food and water". You said he only gets a very short walk (15 mins) morning and night.
My answer was based on the information given, as a whole. This differed considerably from that given by coppertops.
My comments regarding prior research were aimed at helping others who may be reading the site and who may be considering getting a puppy. Too many people get the pup first and then realise that the breed they chose for it's looks is entirely unsuitable for the owners lifestyle.
You should be commended for rescuing the dog; however you did not say that he came to you in somewhat of an emergency. That information would have altered my response but I only knew what you told me in your question.
My answer was based on the information given, as a whole. This differed considerably from that given by coppertops.
My comments regarding prior research were aimed at helping others who may be reading the site and who may be considering getting a puppy. Too many people get the pup first and then realise that the breed they chose for it's looks is entirely unsuitable for the owners lifestyle.
You should be commended for rescuing the dog; however you did not say that he came to you in somewhat of an emergency. That information would have altered my response but I only knew what you told me in your question.
Part of the reason I suggested confining him to one room is that he can do less damage in one room.
Believe me I speak from experience!!! My first GSD: two sofa's destroyed, metal cans pinched out of the waste basket carried upstairs to my bed and chewed until there was no piece bigger than a couple of millimetres, electric clock disconnected by chewing through the wire, horse ornaments taken off the mantlepiece and carried upstairs and placed on my bed, large umberella plant destroyed and plant and soil spread all over living room carpet, potatoes taken out of vegetable basket and chewed, carpet destroyed, wood on fire place chewed, fridge door opened and contents devoured, to name but a few things!!!
I have also heard of dogs turning gas cookers on - luckily the people came home soon enough to just find the kitchen smelling of gas - imagine if they had been gone 3 hours?
Electric wires are a favourite for dogs to chew - I don't know how my girl survived disconnecting the bedside clock!!!!
Believe me I speak from experience!!! My first GSD: two sofa's destroyed, metal cans pinched out of the waste basket carried upstairs to my bed and chewed until there was no piece bigger than a couple of millimetres, electric clock disconnected by chewing through the wire, horse ornaments taken off the mantlepiece and carried upstairs and placed on my bed, large umberella plant destroyed and plant and soil spread all over living room carpet, potatoes taken out of vegetable basket and chewed, carpet destroyed, wood on fire place chewed, fridge door opened and contents devoured, to name but a few things!!!
I have also heard of dogs turning gas cookers on - luckily the people came home soon enough to just find the kitchen smelling of gas - imagine if they had been gone 3 hours?
Electric wires are a favourite for dogs to chew - I don't know how my girl survived disconnecting the bedside clock!!!!
madmaggot - I appreciate you re-posting, but if YOU re-read what I wrote, I DID state that he is left with adequate food, water, toys.
At present, he is left for periods ranging from 5 mins to 4 hours (I've only "done" the latter once so far). I spoke to his former owner today and he told me that his neighbour says the dog barks, etc for the first 10-15 mins, but then "calms down", which has reduced a lot of my worrying about him. However, I AM going to persevere with him as he is WONDERFUL and if you saw those BIG BROWN eyes, YOU'D "melt", too!
Anyway, I have been upset enough by some responses and certainly don't wish to enter into any "to-ing and fro-ing" of posts.
Thanks.
At present, he is left for periods ranging from 5 mins to 4 hours (I've only "done" the latter once so far). I spoke to his former owner today and he told me that his neighbour says the dog barks, etc for the first 10-15 mins, but then "calms down", which has reduced a lot of my worrying about him. However, I AM going to persevere with him as he is WONDERFUL and if you saw those BIG BROWN eyes, YOU'D "melt", too!
Anyway, I have been upset enough by some responses and certainly don't wish to enter into any "to-ing and fro-ing" of posts.
Thanks.
SurreyGuy. I'm sorry you did'nt like my reply. I only passed on to you the recommended length of time for a dog to be left indoors alone. The reason being that after that time the dog is more than likely needing to pass water, and it's preferable that they have the opportunity, rather than having to wait. You are to be commended for giving your dog a new home, he sounds adorable, and I wish you many happy years together. There's no better companion. Best wishes. Schutz.
ive got 3 dogs, 2 are 6 and 1 is 13, and all of them get left somedays for up to 6 hours if im working, they dont seem to mind as they get a treat before i go and they know that once im back that they will go for a nice long walk in the woods, we have done it since they where puppies. and yes they are happy dogs, if you are a good owner you will know when you dog is happy or sad.
Sweaty, you must be confusingme with someone else -I am the one who usually advocates cage training! However, not in this case, as I think the young dog needs to be able to move around freely and play, and will not be happy to sleep the whole time his owner is out.
If I ever have to leave mine I put newspaper down on the bathroom floor which they only occasionally use, but it means they know they can, and are not worried about me being upset when I come home. I would rather this than they try to hold it in. I once had a rescued greyhound with kidney problems who had been shut up as a puppy, and he was always very clean, which caused the kidney problem as he kept holding it in.
If I ever have to leave mine I put newspaper down on the bathroom floor which they only occasionally use, but it means they know they can, and are not worried about me being upset when I come home. I would rather this than they try to hold it in. I once had a rescued greyhound with kidney problems who had been shut up as a puppy, and he was always very clean, which caused the kidney problem as he kept holding it in.
The music and the kong filled with peanut butter seems to have done the trick.
No more damage in the house, although he does still howl when I go out, but he quietens down after 10 mins - I sat by the gate and listened! :o)
Now, if only I could stop him eating leaves! :o)
Thanks to all those who took the trouble to answer.
No more damage in the house, although he does still howl when I go out, but he quietens down after 10 mins - I sat by the gate and listened! :o)
Now, if only I could stop him eating leaves! :o)
Thanks to all those who took the trouble to answer.
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