My dog is very well behaved at home with me, but as soon as I leave she howls til I get back. PLEASE HELP !!!!

Question

I've tried leaving the house for a few seconds and then going back in and praising her for not howling, but I can't seem to get her to stay quiet for more than 5 minutes. I leave her the tv on, she has lots of toys, fresh water, treats scattered round the house for her to hunt out & she even has on old t-shirt of mine in her bed. Her howling has started to cause friction between next door & us, which I can't really blame them cos if it were the other way around, I wouldn't be happy with a dog making all that noise.

Answer 1

sleeping pills

Answer 2

Sorry, but you just have to put in a bit more effort. You've got her to tolerate being left for 5 mins, but you cannot teach her to tolerate being left if at the same time you are leaving her! It just doesn't work.
Here's the web address for the association of pet behaviour therapists. You may need to take her to a dog sitter while you continue to train her what you want her to do when she is left.
Basically, you teach her a symbol that means 'you are not getting my attention'. That symbol can be anything, but I prefer a nasty ugly brass ornament from a car boot since the dog can't chew it.
You keep it hidden away in a cupboard and at regular intervals you get it out and put it in view, somewhere like a coffee table. While it is in view, your dog is invisible. You don't see any dog, there is no dog. Ignore your dog. Don't look at her, don't react.
You start with periods between 20 seconds to 2 mins. Then you put it away and then you notice the dog but don't make a big deal out of it. Be a bit off hand.
After two weeks you should be able to settle her in her bed with a chew and ignore her for 20 mins without her coming over for a fuss or sitting on your feet.
It can take 3 months to build her up to 4 hours, so you can see you have a problem. A dog sitter is the only solution. Your dog is distressed and your neighbours are annoyed.

Answer 3

I had that problem too and ended up getting another dog, but that didn't seem to work since this other dog would run away each time I let her outside (MSPCA), so I returned that dog.

I then tried a crate, and that helped. I believe it's because dogs feel safer in a "den" like setting. It's more natural for them.

I also ended up getting a kitten and even though my dog is old, he immediately started giving her kisses all over her head, like he was her father.

He doesn't howl anymore

I'd try either one of them or both. Good luck there! I know it's not easy to train the dog to stop howling.

Answer 4

Hi,

This sounds like separation anxiety and as the usual methods of leaving for a few seconds, leaving the TV on, etc hasn't worked, a couple of things I can suggest is:

Buy a DAP diffuser (similar to a plug in air freshner) which you can buy from any Vet Surgery, plug in (preferably in the room that your dog is mainly left in) and this should help calm her down. The diffuser contains Pheramones (which her mother would have produced when she was a pup) and has a calming influence. With the diffuser however, you need to leave it on all day and night (you won't be able to smell it) and it lasts about 4-5 weeks. You can also buy refills for the actual plug in unit itselt.

Otherwise, if this is ineffective, I can only suggest speaking to your Vet as she may need some behavioural training to help her get through this phase.

It will sort itself out - I promise!

Answer 5

Sounds like your dog has some anexiety issues. If you watch the dog whisper...he has a lot of solid types... you can also get information at the library (look up Dog whisperer). I would suggest running some series of tests and keeping your dog confined to a small area (think as if it was a shelter for your dog... like a cave or more natural environment). Here is an idea, go to the door, correct your dog immediately (through voice or touch) if she does something you do not like, leave and doing the same. Any time she does a behavior you do not like, correct her. If you are going to confine or cage her, work with the cage. She goes in on your command and only comes out on your command. You can reward her with food and only keep her confined for a few moments at a time, increasing the time as you go. Only praise your dog when she is in a come submissive state of mine. Do not think of your dog as a person, she isn't. She needs to be treated as a dog. She will love you for being the pack leader. Remember to be the pack leader at all times.
Best of luck... Cesar Milan has much better ideas than I do...
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/dogwhisperer/
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Answer 6

It's separation anxiety, but not in the way it is commonly understood. The problem is that your dog thinks IT is the alpha-male/female, and YOU are the puppy. Therefore, when you leave the house, it feels desperately unable to protect you from harm.

3 proven ways to adjust this over time:

1) Never leave food down for it permanently. In the wolf world, he who decides when/where/how much is eaten IS the alpha. Introduce 2 feeding times a day (morning and afternoon) and once it has eaten, remove the bowl

2) Do NOT acknowledge your dog when you come back inside until it has calmed down and leaves you alone. If you do praise/play/pat your dog during this period, it only reinforces in its head that you are delighted to be back safe in its protection

3) Never let your dog be the first in or out of the home. This is again, the sign that it is alpha.

I assure you, your dog thinks it is alpha, because your actions are telling it this. Read the book called 'The Dog Listener' by Jan Fennell. It will amaze you.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0006532365/202-5025231-9575847?v=glance&n=266239

Answer 7

The first thing you should say is how old she is and if this is something she has always done. Dogs are a bit like kids in this sense, if they are not used to being left alone (or being without their parents) then they will kick up a fuss but *should* eventually grow out of it. I personally don't like ever having just one dog, as I think its not fair for them to not have any of their own kind around to interact with. Now I know its not always practical to get another dog, and if that's the case here than some of the other things stated here might be useful, alternatively you just have to be patient, and explain to your neighbours that you're sorry and it is just a phase.

Answer 8

This is called separation anxiety. The way to stop this is to continue what you were doing with going outside and then coming back in and praising her. Along with the praising give her a hot dog or some type of treat, and repeat. You might have to do this for weeks, or even months, but she will learn that you are not going to leave her, and that you will come back.
You could also take her to the local obedience training center, and put her in some classes to build up her confidence in herself.
Or you could just take her with you where ever you go. lol
Good luck.

Answer 9

You could try getting another dog to keep her company but alternatively you will just have to persevere with getting her used to increasingly longer periods on her own. Keep your neighbours informed so they understand you are trying, and perhaps get them the occasional small gift by way of extra apology and thanks for putting up with Furry Features. A further alternative would be to ask if they can baby sit her if they are home all day. They might not mind if they like dogs too.

Another thing would be to take her for a really good walk before she is left alone - hopefully she would be really tired and would settle down for a good sleep while you are out.

Answer 10

As sad as it sounds, some dogs are not for working people. Your dogs seems to be one of them. I had a beautiful yellow lab, but every time I went to work he would destroy the house. Just like on Turner & Hootch. We bought a large crate but he busted out of that too. He just didn't want to be alone. So we found a woman who lived in a rural area with other dogs who was happy to take him. He has never been happier. I miss him but it was for the best.

Answer 11

My dog did this, then I read or saw somewhere a good tip. Do NOT make a fuss of the dog when you leave the house, or even say farewell. It hurts the owner more than the dog, BUT IT WORKS.