He is 9 months, we've only had him for a month so still relatively new to the family :) My husband works a normal office job and I am gone 3 times a week for 9-5 type hours for graduate school, and when I get home on the days I'm out, our poor pup has really worked himself up into a frenzy. What will keep him occupied, or how can I reduce his anxiety when he's alone? (Yes he has access to a place to sleep, food, a place to go to the bathroom while we aren't home. It's just that he doesn't like being alone!)
2007-01-23 10:49:42 · 13 answers · asked by leos_mama 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Many times one of your old slippers or socks or even an old pillow case that the pup can lay with will help ease anxiety. It will still carry your scent and they seem to be comforted. We also found that if you get a really good bone and fill it with peanut butter, it will occupy them for awhile while you aren't there.
2007-01-23 11:01:38 · answer #1 · answered by dwheelz84 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He is just bored while you are gone, give him something to do, buy a kong and stuff it with Peanut Butter and treats. Or give the dog excercise before you leave, a tired dog will sleep most of the time you are gone. Or taking the dog to a doggy daycare or to a friends might work too. Then the dog isnt completely alone. Find out what begins the dogs anxiety. There are steps they follow and they know when you are getting ready to leave. I have just adopted a 6 year old dog recently that spent 8 months in the SPCA, when we get ready to go to town, we get showered and start the car. She knows when we grab the keys we are ready to go somewhere. Try going out a different door. Or making the routine before you leave different. They follow what we do and memorize our daily routines. Hope this helps a little.
2007-01-23 19:35:50 · answer #2 · answered by newbie_inbc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leaving a radio or tv on is a good place to start. Make the little guy feel less alone. But, you could also try some pheromone spray on his bed. Any vet should carry it. It reminds the pup of the comfort provided by the mother and the littermates. Often this will reduce the stress of being alone. And, later he can be weened from it as he gets used to his alone times.
Namaste
2007-01-23 19:02:43 · answer #3 · answered by cudala 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can google "puppy separation anxiety" for some help. I think the single best thing I did to help my pup get over this was by not making a big deal out of coming and going, even ignoring her before I leave and after I come back. She's exercised a lot every day (mental and physical!) and I do my best to tire her out before she's crated. I also play crate games with her to increase the value of being in the crate. It's intense, but worth a try!
http://www.finchester.org/dogs/dog_diary/2005/08/crate-training.html
2007-01-23 19:20:56 · answer #4 · answered by Misa M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh, poor little thing. Dogs are pack animals. Any dog that isn't alpha is anxious when they are alone. You may need to get him some company...another dog perhaps? There are also doggie day care centers. They are a great alternative. If this is too expensive, splurge on a day walker arrangement...someone who will come to the house and walk the dog in the middle of the day so he isn't alone so often.
2007-01-23 18:55:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
your dog simply needs a regular routine of attention and most important excersize daily walks yes seven days a week and not just potty walks either depending on the dogs size minimum of forty-five minutes up to two hours try walking the dog before leaving for the day and again after you return
good luck
2007-01-23 19:00:41 · answer #6 · answered by whizbang 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I leave music or the television on for my pups when I leave the house - they like the sound, and it keeps outside noises from bothering them too much. Also, you could try special toys to comfort him and keep him busy like a kong with treats inside.
Tuckering him out with a long walk before you leave in the morning might help him relax as well.
2007-01-23 18:54:53 · answer #7 · answered by eileezy2002 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hi! Definitely hire someone to come and give him a walk everyday. Maybe get him a playmate?
2007-01-23 19:07:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
get toys for him and put on the radio so he thinks someone is talking in a different room. sometimes the radio soothes them to sleep.
2007-01-23 19:11:01 · answer #9 · answered by word to your mother. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
give him plenty of toys to play with and also you may want to keep the tv on so that he has something to listen to that way he won't fee so lonely.
2007-01-23 18:57:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋