my ten dogs follow me everywhere!!?

Question

I have ten dogs and they follow me all the time and everywhere but thats not the problem the problem is that they cant be withought me if i enter to the bathroom they all start crying to go in the bathroom with me.
they sleep with me etc.
i work at home so most of the time i am with them
and whene i go out and dont take them with me they get depressed one time that i left them one week with a friend i found two of them sick they didnt want to eat so they got sick,and my chihuahua was so depressed that he didnt want to play or even walk and he gained 3lb. Idont want them to depend so much on me.
next year i am planing to go on vacations 1month and leave them on a pet hotel i know they will take good care from them but i dont want them to suffer to much when i am not with them because if they suffer i also suffer!
why do they do that?
how can i stop them to suffer when i go?
how can i do for them not to depend to much from me??

I will thank you a lot!!!

I THINK I HAVE ALL THE TIME TO TAKE CARE FROM THEM AND HAVE A LOOOOT...OF SPACE SO WHY WHEN I GO OUT THEY DONT PLAY IN THAT BIG GARDEN OR PLAY WITH ALL THEIR TOYS?
I HAVE BUY THEM ALL TYPES OF TOYS AND NONE OF THEM FUNCTION THEY ONLY WANT TO BE WITH ME.

Answer 1

I would try separating 5 dogs at once and leave them at a day camp for 1/2 of the day see if they can get along with other dogs to play with ... The next day take the other 5 dogs to day camp for 1/2 of the day too ...

I trained my dog by giving her a treat before I leave the house and I come back in an hour ... The next day 2 hours ... so forth before I started working ... So she knows when she gets a treat that means I will be gone for a couple of hours ...

Try giving your dogs treat before you leave the house and come back in one hour ... So they will know you're coming back ... the next day give them treat leave for 2 hours ... I can't believe your 10 dogs have each other to keep company and they need you ??

If that all fails, try hiring a pet sitter (same pet sitter everyday) for 1 - 2 hours a day so they can get used to her/him ... stretch the hours 2 - 4 hours after couple of weeks so by then you can be able to go on vacation ...

If that really fails, call Cesar - Dog Whisperer - He can help you

Answer 2

First of all you are going to have to get them used to being without you VERY SLOWLY. I had this problem with one of my three dogs who tried to dig his way out of the house through the carpet and floor in front of the door whenever we left. So what we did was we left the tv on because it is a sound distraction as well as a visual one for the dogs when you leave. It makes it seem like someone is around. Then we left them in the house with the regular door open and the screen door latched for a few minutes at a time getting progressively longer, so that they could see us outside and know that we were there but couldn't get to us. We ignored them and eventually they realized that we came back in all the time. Then we did it with the regular door shut for progressively longer intervals. They heard us through the open window and knew that we were still there. Then we went off the property so that they couldn't hear us or see us for progressively longer intervals. Dogs do not sense time the same way we do. They think we are never coming back! You just have to do it often enough that they realize that you are right outside and ALWAYS come back. They will eventually relax.
Talk to your vet also because some dogs need to be put on medication for depression and other behavioral problems just like people.
If you leave chew toys as distractions as some trainers advise, make certain that they cannot break apart and choke your dog when you are not there to dislodge the pieces.
AND PLEASE let your pet hotel know about the problem ahead of time so that they can prepare. This would be awful for them and for your dogs if you were out of town and they were surprised with 10 extremely upset dogs.

Answer 3

Ok firstly, stop letting them sleep with you, they don't need to be with you 24 hours a day! You spend way too much time with them.

To get them used to being without you:

Start by leaving them alone for like 5 mins, walk around the block then come home.

Do not go inside until they stop crying/barking/whatever.

Then each time make the periods of time you are away from them longer and longer. The dogs need to know that if you leave you will be comng back so they have nothing to worry about. Always leave them something fun to do while you are gone and never make a big deal about leaving or coming home. When you leave don't make a fuss about going and when you come back do not say hello to them straight away, walk around for 5 mins and then say hello.

You don't want them to think leaving is bad and coming home is good because they'll always want you to be around.

Try it out and see how it goes.

Answer 4

I got my puppy from a breeder and he is the same way! Following me to bathroom and waits outside the door, same when I take a shower. Or even go to another room right next to where he is. It's like he has to be in my site all the time. Dogs pick their humans, the one they feel closest, and safe with. I've also heard, that they pick humans by the way they feel their energy. If they feel some sort of a good strong energy that you give off. Also, you have a child, your a mother figure and maybe the dog can sense this?

Answer 5

Mine follow me around too. They think I can't go to the bathroom by myself.

Anyhoo, it's a good idea to start gradually getting them used to the idea of being alone. Start with short time periods, then gradually lengthen. Do it OFTEN, so that your coming and going becomes "normal" for them.

Get them used to sometimes being apart too, like when you go out take one or two with you.

Don't make a big fuss when you come or go, keep it matter of fact.

I don't know how well all yours get along, but it might be a good idea to separate them into smaller groups while you're out. Pack mentality is a funny thing, and if a fight happens and they all get into it someone could get hurt. I generally leave mine in groups of no more than three.

Answer 6

You really love your dogs! OK, is there any family member or friend that they like to be around and that is willing to watch them for you? Maybe you can leave them at home, in a special section that is, and have the friend or family member check in on them daily? Boarding them in a kennel or hotel is EXPENSIVE so, think long and hard about this option. If you do leave them with friends or family or at home, leaving an article of your clothing, such as: a sock or shirt, that has your scent on it, so they'll be more comfortable. One article to each dog. Good luck.

Answer 7

You have more dogs than you can handle - their separation anxiety is through the roof!! I'm not suggesting you get rid of your dogs, but don't make a fuss of when you leave and when you return home. You need to spend less time with them. I say this as someone whose partner also works from home, which seemed like the ideal situation for a dog, but all it's done is give him tremendous Sep. Anx. when we're out! We're going to send our boy to half-day day-care (cheaper than a whole day!) to get him used to *not* being around us. Try doing that with your pack, and they should be a lot better by this time next year.

Answer 8

You're so lucky, I wish I had the room to do that. I have 2 and a cat I just rescued. My poodle is very old, but the Peke is 4 and follows my every move. If I leave her she sits behind the door and waits for me there and on Mondays she knows I'm going to work so she gets upset and hides under the bed she knows I won't leave until I give them all kisses, animals are too smart sometimes. They feels secure with you what a compliment that is to a human, do they like your friend? does he treat them well?
At the Pet Hotel, will they be with other dogs? maybe that will help , is like having children but they will get use to you going and coming back it will get easier, just be patient.

Have you heard the expression "The more I get acquainted with the human race the more I love my animals"

Answer 9

My dog is the same way...he is a 6 year old pit bull. Every step I take he is right with me. But I work all day and I know he misses me, so I don't mind. I miss him too when I am gone. Be happy you have them.

Answer 10

i do not know how you handle 10 dogs. i know i wish i could have them but they do have seperation anxiety. my husky had that with my husband.
tough situation but u have to do whats best for the dogs.