I live in an aptartment that has neighbors on each side of me and above me. I rescued this wonderful dog from a shelter recently and have had no problems whatsoever until now. He is a great dog but there are times when I have to leave without him. I left today for 4 hours and left a recorder on while I was gone to see what would happen. When I got home he had been crying, howling and barking for about 2 1/2 hours on the tape. I am so worried if this continues that neighbors will complain and we will either have to move or get rid of him (which completely breaks my heart!) PLEASE help if you have any advice. I am at a loss.
Also, I left the TV on and I dont know if that made any difference.
2006-11-09 08:59:34 · 12 answers · asked by Erin 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
sounds like he suffers from separation anxiety (very common in rescue dogs). Try leaving him for short periods at a time (5 - 10 min) gradually working up to 1/2 hour to an hour. I didn't put my dog in a crate but i found that limiting her access in the house worked as well, being left in the big house by herself overwhelmed her when left alone but being closed up in the bedroom she was a lot calmer. I would leave a video camera on so that I could see exactly what she was doing in my absence and could work on that behaviour. Also don't make a big deal about coming and going, when I would leave I'd tell my dog to go lay down and I'll see her later, and I'd give her a treat ball or a kong filled with peanut butter to keep her busy. I would also leave the radio or TV on for her on a station I usually listened to when at home. When I'd ignore her for the first few minutes until she calmed down, then I'd say hello to her and pet her on the head. It took about a week or so for her to get to where I could leave her and she was no longer upset by it, now she just sleeps while I'm gone.
2006-11-09 09:22:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
two words CRATE TRAINING! look up info on the net to learn about it. you can cover the crate while you are home and when the dog whines/howls you rap on the crate - soon they learn that when they howl the world shakes they will quit.
I got a cocker spaniel who was abandoned at the gas station where i was working. I took him home he was a terrible barker/howler/whiner. he was wearing an electronic no bark collar when he was dropped off. I crate trained him and he quit in about three sessions. He doesnt hate it or resent being crated - you open the crate door and point he runs right in!
BTW it took me a couple of weeks to realize that the reason he was a barker was because he is stone deaf! - when he is out in the yard and we come home our other dog is right at the gate waiting for us and he is sound asleep. So the no bark collar could never work on him
2006-11-09 09:06:11 · answer #2 · answered by morganpony 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well there are several ideas. There are doggy day cares where you could leave him A second dog can help a separation anxiety dog -sometimes. There is medication with a vet script. And don't forget that sometimes distracting him from your leaving with a bone or kong stuffed with peanut butter or squeeZe cheese will do the trick.
2006-11-09 09:13:53 · answer #3 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dog trys to run outside every time that I leave, he even sneaks through the crack of the door that I open for myself and trys to slip through! He started eating stuff in revenge, and going to the bathroom in the house. He is a puppy, but hes trained, and shouldnt be doing that! I get him rawhide bones and those can keep him busy for awhile! Maybe that would work for you? Also, if hes barking and howling, when he does it, hold your hand over his snout and say NO, he'll eventually learn
2006-11-09 09:03:47 · answer #4 · answered by Portland p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My suggestion would be to start leaving him for very short periods of time and then come right back Start with maybe 10 minutes ...then over time extend the periods of time that you are gone and come back...Eventually he should get the point..your always going to come back no matter how long your gone..This takes some time but it has worked with dogs with seperation anxiety.....Hope this works for ya although I'm sure the success rate varies from breed to breed...
2006-11-09 09:53:49 · answer #5 · answered by Short S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my dog does that exact same thing! but what i do when he gets to barking and howling i show who is boss! at first i tell him calmly and see his reactions, then if that does not work then i place a lot of toys near him to get his attention off me. if that does not work then i would play music an quietly walk away! one of those normally work for my bad dog who is a beagle koda
2006-11-09 09:11:51 · answer #6 · answered by myia v 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take him out for a good walk before you leave him it will tire him. yeah leave the radio on for him while youre out and buy him a kong and fill it with his fav treat it will keep him busy for hours. my dog used to do the same i recorded him to. now he is happy and content but i add treats and a lil bit of peanut butter to make it last longer he loves it. if all else fails speak to a trainer.
2006-11-09 09:11:36 · answer #7 · answered by ben e 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe if you gave him more attention. He also could of been abused before you adopted him and may be worried about being abused again while your gone.
2006-11-09 09:04:14 · answer #8 · answered by M&M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a shock collar there pretty humane these days and he or she will learn quick maybe a couple of days. worth the investment and probably not to spendy at your local pet store
2006-11-09 09:07:26 · answer #9 · answered by kinky_in_medford 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Try giving him one of your old shirts or blankets. Anything with your scent on it should lessen his anxiety while you are away.
Good luck!
2006-11-09 09:06:56 · answer #10 · answered by startwinkle05 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋