Would puppy get too used to daycare or petsitter?

Question

So I have an idea to rid Caesar of his separation anxiety. I was thinking of taking him to puppy daycare, though I cannot afford for this to be an everyday thing. maybe one week a month, what do you all think? If he gets used to daycare, when I take him out, will the anxiety start up again? Should I even consider daycare for his separation anxiety? I also thought of a daog walker, but after a while that can be costly too. I just dont want him to get used to doing one thing, then I cant afford it, take him out and he is worse off than before.

5 mo Shih Tzu
http://a91.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/6/l_217449c8deb42cd19e593c25e54c4f32.jpg

He is crate trained (somewhat) and currenlty gets some socialization from puppy classes at PetSmart

Answer 1

Daycare or a petsitter is only putting a band-aid on a gushing wound. You need to deal with, and work on correcting, the separation anxiety problem. There are lots of books, as well as other Y!A topics on how to work on correcting this problem.

Answer 2

All of the things you mention he might not even like unless he gets used to doing them. I am assuming you work. Is there an older child in the neighborhood who you would trust to come over once a day and take Caesar for a walk and pee break and give him some additional attention? Maybe lower cost than a professional walker, and still quality care.

His present problem is that when you leave he fears that you will not come back. You can do several things to help him.

1) don't reward his behavior, don't cuddle him and say oh poor puppy, here is your mom, etc, etc, When he is throwning a fit and crying...IGNORE him, no talking, no hands, no eye contact, no sitting in the lap. Get up and stand and don't look at him. When he calms down, you can sit back down.. Don't reward bad behavior. Reward her when she is calm and quiet.

2) Play some games by leaving the room, close the door and return immediately. before he has the chance to panic.
Repeat this several times. He needs to know you are coming back. Then expand the time you are out for a few seconds and return. Then expand the time for a few second and return. DO NOT TELL HIM YOU ARE LEAVING, JUST DO IT.

try those and see if it helps. and remember he is a baby but he can still learn and it is best to start now. Be sure he gets lots of training,

My neighbor has a lovely dog but she doesn't allow him to learn things and she doesn't teach him. I told her how to teach him to "give a high 5". She showed him ONE time and when immediately repeated it again when she held her hand up and ask him for a "high 5". She ws amazed how fast he learned. And I think you will to.

Answer 3

Instead of puppy daycare, or something that will end up costing you a lot.....have you thought about:

Taking him to nursing homes.
Many elderly people love to be around dogs. Dogs love to be around people.
Call a local nursing home and see if you can't bring him in to visit the residents a few times a week. You will end up spending the gas to get there ...and possibly having to have him take some good flea medication from his vet, or another small requirement, but it won't cost what doggy daycare or a dogwalker would.
He would get to be around other people and in time, will start being comfortable without you standing right there.

Call the local school and see if a teacher is interested in having him as a "Class mascot".
You would take him to school maybe twice a week. The class would learn how to care for him and he would be too busy to even realize you weren't right there. (Many young children need to learn how to interact with a small dog...and this could be a good service the teacher might actually enjoy. The kids would love it and he would be learning to get along without you right there.

Explain what you're trying to do.....as well as the fact you'd like to bring joy to someone else with your dog.

You can also put up a flyer, or talk with people in your area to find a young adult (12-17), that is wanting to get a small dog. You offer to let them "hang out" at the park with your dog (with you there of course, just sitting on a bench close by ..if you're worried that someone might steal him).
This way they learn some of the work involved in having a pet, you get help with the anxiety issues and Ceasar learns that you aren't going to abandon him.
Personally, if he has a high anxiety...I would start with the nursing home. Elderly people are not going to hop around, hollering because he's there......children will.
Later on, find a teacher/class that might be willing to adopt him as their mascot. Once he's become more accustom to going out, etc.


***Okay, I went off on a tangent here. Sorry. I offered up ways to socialize your Ceasar instead of dealing with the actual anxiety issues.***

Answer 4

I agree that you have to handle the problem, as many dogs suffer from separation anxiety.

Try crating him or confining him to one room while you are gone with plenty of toys, his bed and water.
It sounds mean, but dogs by nature are den creatures and the room/crate becomes their den and safe place.

Do not make a big deal out of leaving or coming home. Dogs don't have a sense of time, so 5 minutes is the same as 5 hours for him.

That said, it would be good for him from a socialization stand point to go to doggy day care. It could be something that you do more at first and less as he gets older.

P.S. your dog is REALLY cute!

Answer 5

I don't think seperation anxiety would be helped by this, unless it was every day. But daycare is a great way to help with socialization and extra exercise. I take my pup there once a week, on Fridays. If I take her, and then have to work the next day, she is a major pain in the butt when I leave since she wants to go back...

Answer 6

He would. You'd just have to keep coming back and he'd start anticipating the time. Thing is, he'd guilt the heck out of you the first few days but given time, he'll adjust.