I have always left my springer spaniel in a kennel and run in the garden when I go to work. A friend walks him while I'm out. He's always been very settled and happy in his run, but we moved house recently and now he howls and barks the whole time he's in there.
Its got to the stage where I hate having to leave him. Can anyone offer any advice or help. I'm a great believer in the Jan Fennell (the dog listener) methods of training, so any advice along these lines would be especially apprecciated
Thanks in advance
2006-09-23 19:57:41 · 26 answers · asked by Girl from the Borders 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He still gets walked through the day by my friend.
2006-09-23 20:11:30 · update #1
And I'm only at work for 6 hours a day
2006-09-23 20:12:52 · update #2
His run and kennel have been moved to the new house and he goes in there when I'm out. His routine hasn't really altered, but there is a cat coming into the garden sometimes which I think could be significant. The garden is very secure and safe so yuesterday I left his run door open to let him find his own space, but this isn't practical or safe in winter
2006-09-23 20:52:57 · update #3
leave a radio on low ... spend a few minutes with it before you leave ... 20 min of play before you go and similar attention when you get home should settle him
2006-09-23 20:02:57 · answer #1 · answered by casurfwatcher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Springer spaniels like most dogs are very territorial, add to that their natural exuberance and energy levels and it leads you to one conclusion. The dog is experiencing major panic just as anyone would being left somewhere they weren't completely happy with. He will pine for you when your gone anyway but hes in a place hes not entirely settled with there maybe smells there hes not familiar with. The answer to this is gonna take you some time and patience im afraid, if you have anything from the old place that he is familiar with scent-wise it may help him to adjust in time. Also (if you don't already do this) When you leave don't make too much of a fuss of him just pat him and say "good boy!" or something like that and then leave, when you come back praise him and give him a reward this type of conditioning does take time so be very patient with it.
2006-09-23 20:17:33 · answer #2 · answered by The Dog Listener 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something in the area is bugging the heck out of your dog, and I don't think it's the move. It's something in the surroundings that he feels is a threat or scary. He was very contented before, and you had a great situtation for him.
He's never had separation anxiety before, so what's different? Why is he suddenly fearful or anxious? Are you doing something different in the routine? Is there a new weird noise in the neighborhood that you haven't noticed that's distressing him?
You said he barks the whole time he's "in there." What do you mean? Please elaborate. IDo you mean you moved, or moved his house? Your question is unclear. Is this a situation where he suddenly can't see his surroundings anymore?
Not everyone will agree with me on this next point, but if you can't find anything physical, like a tree is casting a moving shadow, or something smells bad (to him), or a squirrel is taunting the heck out of him, then go for the metaphysical.
He's upset, and I don't dispute the instincts of a dog. They see and hear things we can't. He's either afraid for himself or for you. Do you have medical problems that he may be sensing, such as diabetes? Please give us a few more details about this move.
2006-09-23 20:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by Charlotte M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does he have anything similar such as the kennel and run that he had at his old home? Dogs do not like change very well and it could very well be anxiety that is getting to him. They also desire a Den and if this is not available for him, it may be another reason that he is howling.. not to mention that you are in completely new home/surroundings. Not sure how long it has been since you moved in, but maybe a time of adjustment and possible the addition of a kennel/run for him will resolve this for him.
2006-09-23 20:07:38 · answer #4 · answered by DoxieLuvr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know the answer, but to let you know you are not on your own with this problem. My daughter has 2 dogs a collie cross and a springer, the springer adores my daughter and is absolutely devastated when she goes out....he howls all the time. The other dog is deaf( I am not surprised) so she just sleeps through it. I hope you get some sensible advice so perhaps I can advise my daughter what to do. Thank heavens for understanding neighbours!!
2006-09-23 20:51:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we were told that our dog has seperation anxiety (he sometimes howls and barks when we leave, and waits sadly by the door until we're back home), we were oddly advised to ignore him within the first few minutes of getting home. We aren't supposed to get too excited about seeing him, because apparently that will make it seem like less big of a deal to him. I don't know if it's been working or not, but that's what we're trying
2006-09-23 21:59:07 · answer #6 · answered by jennabeanski 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is his way of expressing his resentment at the moving and being left in the kennel. May be he is missing your attention and the walk by your friend is good but may not be good enough for your dog. Try to spend time with him when you can- like in the weekend and make it known to him that you love to spend more time with him but you can't. It usually works, because dogs do understand, much more than we are ready to admit they can.
2006-09-23 20:14:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He has a case of separation anxiety because he is in a new environment and not use to the place you moved to sometimes leaving a tv or radio on will help as well as his favorite toys that will keep him busy for a while. My siberian husky would do that also when I went to work she hated being in there for more than she had to unless it was night time and time to go to bed.
2006-09-24 04:36:31 · answer #8 · answered by ???.??LIFE'S THE PITS??.?.?? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Awwww!! That's what my gorgeous, extra-cute, horny terrier cross chihuahua Minty does! AND whines!
How sad!
Have you tried patting it, kissing it, hugging it tightly, blowing it a kiss, and tell it that you love it and when you'll be back?
>.< XXX
That's all I can do with my pet really-without getting hayfever attacks! :-((
Try throwing it a piece of food that will land bahind it and RUN so it doesn't follow you to car danger! Lol!
Reading your extra details, you is obviously home-sick.
How long where you there for? Why did you move?
Did you bring him to the place a few times to check it out before you officially moved in?? Poor thing!
Haven't heard of 'dog whisperer' Jan Fennell before, though.
How do you even become one?? :-S
2006-09-23 20:04:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh dear those poor neighbours you will become the neighbour from hell.we cannot have pets that need constant company and then abandon them for the best part of the day.it's a long boring day on your own,try it.your dog needs company buy a companion.
i do not attatch any blame on your goodself you are doing the correct thing and seeking advice.i would be very interested in the solution.
2006-09-23 20:09:04 · answer #10 · answered by barrie s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello i know how you can stop this.If you fuss the dog when you leve this is only making maters worse .You are the pack leader and a pack leader will just get up and walk away with out fuss.Do this and walk out you'r front door and return through another entrance with out giving the dog attenchan till it carmes down .be brave how ever hard it is
2006-09-23 21:45:10 · answer #11 · answered by it's me 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋