I've tried a medication, kong balls to occupy him, ignoring him 30 mins before i put him in my bedroom and when i let him out. my neighbor is complaining about his barking. im frustrated and need some options. Dont want to get rid of him though.
2007-01-05 01:17:46 · 14 answers · asked by GOOD ADVICE 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The best thing to do for his safety and your sanity is sedate him and crate him.
Talk with an animal behaviorist and also your vet.
2007-01-05 01:20:14 · answer #1 · answered by Yo LO! 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I had the exact same problem and i know your frustration! For my dog there are a few things that I have done to lessen her barking (she will only bark or whine for about 1 min or so after I leave).
First, whenever you are walking around the house, make sure he doesn't follow you. He is already showing his anxiety.
Second, try this exercise: when you want to leave the house, get ready 30 min early or so. Put him on his bed (or a spot where he can see the door.... it will make him more comfortable) and make him stay. Everytime he gets up before you have almost completely walked out the door, go over and make him lie on his bed again. Walk out the door and go outside for 5 minutes and then come back and sit for 10. Follow idea three here (see below). Repeat this exercise three time or so. It will make him feel much more comfortable about you leaving.
Third, WHENEVER you come home or, if you sleep without the dog in the room, get up in the morning, ignore the dog. I know this is really hard to do, but for 10 minutes, or until he is completely calm and relaxed (preferably lying down to show submission and his tail isn't wagging) do NOT look at him, pet him, talk to him, etc. Pretend he is invisable. This REALLY works. Since I have implimented this technique, the dog only barks every other time I leave and only for 1-2 minutes.
Fourth, be completely aware of your emotions when you are leaving. Are YOU anxious? Are YOU nervous? Are YOU upset? A dog can "feel" your "energy" and because of this you NEED to be calm and relaxed when leaving the house. As well, remember that dogs are pack animals so leaving them makes the vulnerable and nervous in that respect.
Good luck with the barking!
2007-01-05 01:40:17 · answer #2 · answered by bpbjess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in townhouse and I had separation anxiety issues as well when I first got my dog (lab/great dane mix). He would bark for a while and then chew things up. I tried crating while I was gone but that just made him bark non-stop. The only thing that seems to have helped is him just getting used to it. Took about twmo months. I also leave the TV on for him and give him free run of the house and toys to play with. I also walk him before I go to work, at lunch if possible and as soon as I get home. He now leaves my stuff alone and doesn't freak out when I leave anymore. I like to leave the TV on CNN so that someone with a confident voice is talking to him while I am gone. My theory is that this gives him some comfort plus white noise to mask things going on outside that will set him off. Hope that helps.
2007-01-05 09:11:34 · answer #3 · answered by New Dog Owner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the idea of getting a stuffed animal and infusing it with your scent.
Additionally, make sure that you do not acknowledge him when you leave. No goodbyes, no hugs, nothing.
Then, when you get home, do the same thing. I'm assuming that he probably jumps right at you crying and whining when you walk in. Ignore him! Wait until he calms down, take a trip outside to potty, and then show him attention.
I, too, live in an apartment with a dog who has separation anxiety. The steps above is what our trainer recommended, but his behavior didn't stop until we got another dog to keep him company!
2007-01-05 01:29:40 · answer #4 · answered by Shannon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh please don't sedate him all the time...that's not right. If his separation anxiety is this bad, perhaps you might want to look into a doggie day care for him so he gets human and dog interaction and stimulation. Definitely crate train him...have you tried playing music for him or tape your voice so he can hear you? There are other options than drugging him or driving your neighbor up the wall...please call a dog trainer or behavioralist to see what things you can do to make his day more comfortable. I would strongly suggest a "critter sitter" or a day care for him.
2007-01-05 01:31:39 · answer #5 · answered by auntcookie84 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try making a video tape, audio cassette of yourself saying comforting things to your pet or leave the TV on which I used to do for my dog Charlie and he was just happy to hear the conversasion on the TV and he thought there was some one home with him. Another comforting thing is wear an old t-shirt so it has your smell on it, and give it to him to cuddle with. Your dog may also just be upset about being confined to a smaller space then normal, if he dosen't destroy the house let have the run of it.
2007-01-05 01:26:41 · answer #6 · answered by Arron27 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your dog is lonely and bored. Would you want to be locked in your bedroom? How long do you leave him---all day??? Living in an apt cannot be real fun for a dog with no yard to romp in, do you take your dog for long walks? I think the dog is the one frustrated due to his living arrangements and being shut in a bedroom.
2007-01-05 01:25:39 · answer #7 · answered by Sandy B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crate train the dog with a plastic/fiber glass crate that is cozy and will help "calm" the dog.
Walk the dog thoroughly before crating to wear him out.
Play a tv/radio softly in the back ground for something to listen to.
Put an article of clothing, or a towel/blanket you slept with in the crate with the dog to leave something with your familiar scent on it with him.
Fill a kong and freeze it before giving it to him in his crate...this will give him food to work for and take a while for him to empty.
http://www.libertydogtraining.com
2007-01-05 02:03:43 · answer #8 · answered by libertydogtraining 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a stuffed animal. Sleep with it for a few nights so that it aquires your scent. Then gve it to your dog just before you walk out the door. Your dog will feel like you are still there for him.
2007-01-05 01:21:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Walk him at least 30 minutes with a little doggy back pack and a few water bottles in it. then when returning home put him in the crate. (do not get him a very big one). Watch the Dog Whisperer.
2007-01-05 01:28:33 · answer #10 · answered by jen 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to the search window above and type in "separation anxiety and dogs" you'll be able to read passt questions and answers.
Been there myself, the only thing that helped us was getting another dog. Good luck.
2007-01-05 01:27:38 · answer #11 · answered by KJ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋