My Puppy is 5 months old............?

Question

he is a Springer Spaniel, and since we have had him he has only been on his own for about 2 weeks (where we are out at work) then due to operations and ill health he hasn't been left since.
Due to my operation i have been off work for 3 months and am due back to work next week but even when i just nip across the road for a coffee you can hear him barking and howling. I only work for 4 hours but am dreading leaving him, 1) cos of the neighbours, 2) cos i know what he will be like and its upsetting to know he is like this and 3) i don't know if this will harm him.
I have tried leaving the t.v on and the stereo but its like he barks over the top of it (however loud they are) Please help cos like i say i am dreading going back to work Xxx

Answer 1

you need to start now theres not much time start by leaving him in a room on his own either in an indoor kennel or even using a stair gate leave him for a few seconds and then return once he no longer bothers with this extend the time gradually and eventually you should be able to leave him. also you could you a special toy that he only gets when you go out but do try to change the toys around so as he doesnt get used to one. leaving a kong with food in it or a food ball can also work and it will keep him occupied so hes not thinking about you leaving him alone i hope that this helps any more problems orif you want more information please contact [e-mail]

Answer 2

He has seperation anxiety. It's common in dogs his age after always being with their owner, then suddenly being left alone for a while during the day. Someone else answered that you should try leaving him for a few minutes at a time then slowly increasing the time you are gone. Thats the best way to start. You also might consider getting a crate for him. He won't like it at first, but he will get used to it. It will become his safe haven when you are not home. It will also prevent him from ripping your house apart. If you cover it with a blanket, so he can't see, 9 times out of 10 it will quiet his barking. I've been working in kennels for 20 years, and I know these tricks work well. He will get used to you being gone, and he will get used to being in the crate. You just have to be patient. Good luck.

Answer 3

Puppies should not be left all day in any case. I think you are about to have problems . He will indeed bark his lonliness and possibly start to destroy your home in his distress. Dogs are pack animals with a strong pack instinct. Forcing them to live in sollitary confinement will make him suffer terribly and may lead to long standing psycological problems.
Many dogs in rescue have seperation anxiety problems or are destructive. When their owners cannot cope any more, they give them to rescue centres.
Most responsible breeders would not have sold you the pup in the first place knowing that you were going to leave him alone all day and most of the night too. Out of 24 hours, how many hours does the dog actually get to spend with you walking, playing, grooming etc? You work for 8, and sleep for 8, that makes 16 hours, Take another 2 hours for getting ready for work, shopping etc, that makes 18. Another 2 hours watching telly or on the 'net. If you go out for a drink or socialising a couple of evenings a week he doesn't get to see you at all.So your poor pup,who is programmed by nature to live with a pack, has to spend 20 hours out of every 24, totally alone. That is plain cruel.
No doubt you will get plenty of answers staing that for their convenience they leave the dog in a cage all day, then all night when they are asleep but these sorts of owners are more concerned with what THEY want, than what is good for a dog.

Answer 4

Try crate-training him. You'll want to get a crate that is large enough for him to stand and turn around. Teach him that his crate is good. Put a chew toy in his crate and a blanket. Things he likes. Then leave the door open. Give him time to see it, sniff it, and get used to it being in the room. Also, keep it in the same spot. After a few hours of him getting used to seeing it, take him over to it and say something like "Crate up" or "Go to bed". (I use "Go to bed")
Then help him in the crate. You may have to coax him. After that, close the door and occupy yourself. Don't leave the house. Let him see you occasionally so that he knows your still there. If he barks, sternly tell him "NO". If he's quiet and lays down, praise him. This may take a while, but it works. My dog loves her crate. She knows that when she's in her crate, she has to be quiet, but that I'll be back soon and let her out again. Also, don't ever use the crate as punishment. I know that could be hard, but if you use it when your dog has been bad, he will always think he's been bad when he has to go into his crate.

Answer 5

I have a 5 month old English Bull Terrier and I have left her on her own since I got her, she has her own crate which is her "safe place" and she goes in there when we go out or go to bed at night. She is very comfortable in there and has plenty of toys, bones and water to keep her occupied. She did howl the house down at first and barked lots but we left her for 10Min's at first in the day and at night she was put in her crate in the kitchen with the door shut (so we couldn't hear her) which she hated at first but over night she settled and accepted being away from us for periods of time. We gradually extended the length we left her and now she is totally fine when we go out to work and shopping etc. Also I am friendly with my neighbours and when we were leaving her on her own we warned them that she might make a racket and as long as they knew they were totally fine. I don't think your dog will be affected by this only that he'll be more happy to see you when you get home from work. Also try leaving a piece of your warn clothing and a Teddie with him and that might be of some comfort to him.

Answer 6

Depending on the age of your dog, you will find that this is something that will eventually resolve itself. It seems that ur pet is suffering from seperation anxiety and this is a common problem. You should try leaving the dog for short periods of time and always praise the dog once you are back. Tryt leaving a toy or something that may entertain the dog while you are away. I would highly reccommend a toy known as a kong! you can also try contacting your local vets or a behaviourist and pick up some tips from them. Good luck!

Answer 7

Dogs are very social creatures- when you leave him alone he is not only lonely he is scared. In nature they are never left alone and if they are it is to die. If you cannot be around for long periods of time, (and who can if you work) then consider getting another dog to keep him company. Or a cat, sounds crazy but many a dog and cat have become friends. Another alternative is to send him to doggy day care while you are at work. Or maybe you have a neighbor in a similar fix- the dogs could stay together while both of you are gone. If you leave him alone in his crate eventually he will calm down even if he is alone, but the process of him overcoming his fear is long and harsh. If you don't crate him it is likely that he will act out by destroying your home. A lone dog is often behaviorally unbalanced for life- they need company always.

Answer 8

You need to be sure that you are diagnosing the problem correctly... could it be protective of you or your room? Have you tested that theory with other people coming into your room? Also, pinning a dog in the corner is probably not the best idea, especially by someone who is 'aloof' when it comes to dogs. If it really is the fear aggression, then what your mentor suggested should work... But I would make it a much more structured environment than just your dad walking around with treats in his pockets waiting to go into the same room as her...

Answer 9

if worst comes to worst a bark collar works. It emmits very low levels of electricity. I know it sounds barbaric but the dogs usually associate the discomfort with barking after only a couple of times. The tv and radio are not a good idea because he hears human voices but cant see them.

Answer 10

Exercise vigorously before you leave.
Before you go off for a long day, try to leave on short trips, and come back quickly so it knows you won't be gone long. Stage this if you have to. Repeat it often.
Make sure he is in an area where he can't destroy anything. Sounds like separation anxiety, and they can be destructive in a very short amount of time.