Insecure Dog???

Question

I have a mini(Barney) and a toy poodle(Fred) both little over a year. Barney is way to attached to Fred, that when Fred even leaves the room, Barney starts to cry and howl till he comes back. And there is no consoling him when Fred is gone. The truly funny thing thou is that Fred could care less about Barney if Barney leaves. Also there have been instances where Fred has injured himself... and Barney is constanlty buy his side whining and crying when he knows fred is hurt. It bothers Fred and he usual snaps at Barney making him cry and whine even more! Is there a way to help Barney get over this as I am going to start taking Fred to retirement homes and he will be gone alot somedays.... Thanks in advance

Alot of you asked about taking Barney to the retirement home to... Well am planning on trying Barney as soon as I see how it goes with Fred. It will be my first time visiting a retirement home and I want to see it it works out. Also everything Barney and Fred do is together because Barney doesn't alow anything else lol

Answer 1

I believe dogs have feelings, personalities, and even languages like we do. I think it's just Barney's personality. Maybe Barney is clingy? Maybe he really loves Fred and thinks of him like a best friend or partner? He sounds like a loving & faithful friend!

Does he like to do anything without Fred? Maybe he should have more "me time", of course, unless he doesn't enjoy that.
Otherwise, like the last poster said, I would give Barney a chance to make a great retirement home visitor too.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Sometimes dogs who are insecure like Barney seems to be are helped by taking obedience. If you find a qualified trainer, one who treats dogs as individuals, all the praise Barney gets in obedience will help to build his self-confidence. If he has more confidence, he'll be less dependent on Fred. You'd also be doing something with Barney alone - you'd be strengthening the relationship between you and him and doing things he enjoys without Fred may be what he needs. If not obedience, try and find something you can do that's just for you and Barney that he really enjoys and that just may help him.

Have you considered taking Barney to retirement homes? He may enjoy it too and may also boost his confidence.

Answer 3

take barney into another room and feed him a treat leave him there for about 5 minutes the next day take him agian give him a treat and leave him for ten then 15 then 20 when he gets used to being alone for 30 minutes (making sure to do this once a day) put them together in a room and then take fred into another room where barney cant see him if barney whines dont give him a treat wait 5 minutes then do it agian and then wait 10 if he is quiet give him a treat once you get him to 30 minutes alone without fred start leaving him in a room with no treats for about an hour do this every day for about 3-4 days after that he shouldnt give you as much trouble, and if he does take him to a trainer

Answer 4

It sounds like separation anxiety. I have had several dogs with that issue and the best remedy I can find is to crate them when I am gone. As for the attachment issues. It sounds like Barney has bonded to Fred and not the other way around. Fred will come around sooner or later.

Answer 5

I think it would be helpful to check with your vet and a trainer. This may not be easy. At the very least, Barney may need a tranquilizer of some sort while Fred's gone.

Answer 6

try taking barney for walks without fred. distact him until he gets use to barney not being there. give him a toy.

Answer 7

No advice, but your story made me smile in visualizing it. My parrot is a character that makes me smile. And my heeler is the pest in the family. She is a drama hog. I start to pet poodle and heeler has her face forcing my hand to pet her instead. Not pets, not treats, not attention. What to do? I'm marking your question to look up your best answer. Good luck.