2006-06-26 05:15:11 · 12 answers · asked by Gala 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You need to take some time to teach your dog that it is OK to be left alone. You can start to do this by putting him in another room while you are in the house. Leave something for him to chew like a chewtoy, bone or stuffed Kong and shut the door on him without making any fuss. Go back in before he has started howling and again do not make a fuss.
Do this as often as you can so he knows that:
a) it is no big deal to be left
b) it is no big deal when you come back
c) you are going to come back!
Try leaving him in your flat for very short periods and remember to leave and return without a fuss - ignore him for 5 minutes when you return.
Make sure you leave something to keep him occupied.
Don't leave a Kong entirely stuffed with peanut butter or you will have a sick dog and a lot of mess to clean up - think of a few types of food you can use which won't upset your dogs digestion.
Dogs are pack animals and do not like being on their own for long periods but all family pets should learn that there are times when they are going to be home alone.
However it is really unfair to keep a dog if you know you are going to be leaving it for hours at a stretch and if you haven't got either the time or the patience to deal with this problem I suggest that you seriously think about rehoming your dog to someone who can give it more companionship.
P.S. The term 'separation anxiety' is often used by amateur canine psychologists when dogs howl when left alone. Separation anxiety is actually a very serious condition and manifests itself in many other ways apart from howling.
Dogs howl and bark when they are lonely.
2006-06-26 05:56:46 · answer #1 · answered by DogDoc 4 · 12⤊ 2⤋
Depends how long you leave your dog. They are family animals (pack animals) and not keen on being left, you have to train some dogs to help them learn to tolerate it without getting distressed.
Dog Doc has given you some good advice. You just need to teach your dog how you want him to behave. Thats what training means. But if you're leaving him for 8 hours you need a dog sitter.
The Association of Pet Behaviour Therapists do some good training material, you could try the treatment for seperation anxiety. Your dog doesn't have this but the treatment is the same.
A citronella collar would have little effect if you don't bother to train your dog at the same time; its not really designed to just be put on your dog and have you think thats all there is to it and walk away.
2006-06-26 08:52:32 · answer #2 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is often called "separation anxiety" but it is more acurately "im bored and want attention" to correct this problem, go to a pet store and buy a toy called a "kong" they are rubber and knobby, and have a hollow center. they come in sizes to fit your dogs breed
fill this toy with peanut butter (if you have carpet use dog biscuits of the right size to barely fit inside) and give it to your dog without ceremony as you leave. it is critical to give it and leave as though this were no big deal!
when you get home, wheter it has been an hour or all day, take the toy and put it out of sight, refill it and repeat the process.
eventualy you should stop giving the toy for short trips, like under an hour, and gradualy give it less and less, this is when you substitute a different treat when you get home. now he looks forward to your home coming calmly and dosnt howl when you are gone
2006-06-26 05:28:06 · answer #3 · answered by marduk D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are special collars that spray lemon scent when the dog gets too loud. It doesn't harm the dog but they don't like the smell. It is not a perfect solution but helped a friend with a Lab that aspired to be the 4th Tenor whenever they left him alone
2006-06-26 05:20:22 · answer #4 · answered by ChrisHeilmann 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
train it to cope with separation anxiety which it is obviously suffering from. Take a fortnight off work and gradually work up the amount of time I leave it for. Leave on the radio, give it some activity balls with treats, and a nice cuddly bed. Oh, and apologise to all the neighbours for being such a shite owner!
poor doggy!
2006-06-26 05:33:41 · answer #5 · answered by wolfstorm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldnt leave my dog alone in a flat if it was wailing as its a sign of distress. dogs r like children and need attention and company. if you have to leave your dog alone then leave a classical music station on or the tv for company. they also need toys etc to play with or they might decide your sofa looks tasty.
2006-06-26 05:22:41 · answer #6 · answered by Dr B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well how long do you leave him/her alone? If it's all day, then it's probably bored and depressed. If it's for a couple of hours, then maybe leave the radio on for it...leave a few toys...?
2006-06-26 05:19:19 · answer #7 · answered by CozOfGrace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your not there how do you know it wails.Neighbours could just be jealous that you have such a quiet pooch and are lying just to get it into trouble.
2006-06-26 06:53:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't leave it alone and it won't wail.
2006-06-26 22:43:41 · answer #9 · answered by MoJoJoJo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well mate i might give him a winkie and send him to the cabbie.
2006-06-26 05:22:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋