distressed dog

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leosmum

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I wont go into detail but just to say i have 2 days ago picked up an 8mth old pup, was totally misled about her and want to work through this as no way is she going back as has had 4 owners so far.....she is my shadow at the moment and goes mental if cant see me......my prob is i work nights and OH works days, not a problem in itself as means she has someone with her all the time, except other half leaves at 5am and i dont get home till 8am so am at a loss as to do with them 3hrs she will have to be alone. I only work a cpl nights a week so will be very rare for her to be alone.
Is there anything i can give her at all?
I have a crate and feed her and give her treats in it but dont lock her in as i think she would go mad at the moment if i tried.
As i said i was mislead with her but love her dearly already and really want this to work.
Di think about asking if i could take her to work but i work with the elderly and she isnt good with strangers and will have a quick snap at them.
So anyone have any ideas that may work. Thanks.
 
Slowly slowly is going to be the key I think. What a shame. she must feel so insecure and scared of being shunted off again. Good for you for giving her a chance.
I am in no way an expert but if it were me I would crate her with the door shut and you there. Don't talk to her or acknowledge her until you let her out. Leave her with some snacklets and toys. Gradually increase her time in there and leave the room for short periods of time once she is settled in the crate. Again gradually increasing the time you are away.
Good luck with her, Bless her.
 
You need to create a routine for her, and instead of creating a bond at the moment u need to spend time exercising her and stimulating her brain so that you can create a routine on which you can leave her for periods.
It's best to create a small space or crate as u have and get her used to spending time in there when u are in the house aswell as out of the house....(get on with the housework e,t,c ), you cannot allow her to follow u everywhere inc indoors, otherwise she will display anxious behaviour when u leave her.
Place crate or make secure area away from the door and leave the radio on so she cannot hear your whereabouts all the time or hear u coming and going.
Buy a kong to fill with her dry meal mixed with tuna as a positive treat when in the area or crate.
Most importantly walk her and tire her out before you go out and get your OH to do the same, so u are basicaly draining some of the energy that will create the anxious energy.
If you give in and dont have her spend time in the area or crate when u are in, u will never create a routine to beabale to leave her.....ideally it's best to take a little time off to create a rotuine or start over a weekend.
For now my advice is not to molecuddle her and spend every waking minute with her whe u are home, get a routine sorted out asap and lett it invlve lots of exercise and training.
 
As Mattilda says, the crate is the best way to go, little and often. If you can get her used to being in the crate and feeling secure (try to get her used to it when you are there), she is more likely to accept it when you are away.

Also try distracting her with a chew that takes a while to eat, or leaving the radio on.

DAP difusers/colars work really well with some anxious dogs and might be worth a try.

I am sure she will adjust really quickly and you will see a big difference in her!! Good luck!
 
I'm sure she'll settle in time. She has had an awful lot of change crammed into a very short life. She has seperation anxiety and given her history that isn't really surprising.

Try to make the crate her 'safe place'. Have it next to you and give her some special treats whilst she is inside. Do this with the door closed, she must get used to being inside. Being put in the crate mustn't be a punishment. It is her 'safe place', her den and the more she settles in it the happier she will be to be left. Start by leaving her in it for just a few minutes, then reappear and give her lots of fuss. Build the time you can be away. Eventually being left for three hours will be nothing to her, she will simply eat whatever treats have been left and go to sleep.

Treats that last longers are obviously better and you might want to buy something like a KONG that can be stuffed with titbits such as chicken or liver and which will take her some time to empty. Filled bones are another option.

Don't give up on her. There is every chance she will settle and will soon be able to be left for longer periods without becoming distressed. But it is very important to break the anxiety before it becomes too established.

The crate is useful because it is a small place and it is easier for a dog to feel secure inside there than when let lose in a whole house! As she settles into her new routine she will get used to house, feel comfortable there and able to cope with periods of seperation. Good luck.
 
She is a collie.
Thanks for the replies.
If i leave the room she is gone before i have thought about it!!
Yesterday i shut the kitchen door behind me, she could see me through the glass but with the handles on door she opened and let herself through, OH has now turned them upside down so that no longer works with her lol, but she will throw herself at the door, barking and scratching and chewing the door.
Walks have been more tiring for me than her, shes so much energy, still, i wanted to lose weight lol.
 
Try placing a baby gate on the door...it still acts as a barrier but less so than a door and she cannot destroy it, ignore her till she settles and when she does go into the kitchen give her a treat no talk or touch then walk back out, this way she can still see you but she cannot be beside you, this will be a gradual build up to a routine of her spending time alone without panicking, walk in and out of the room and if she jumps up, ignore her, and simply walk back out as if u would had she not been there.
 
You could always try the old bike
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if she is interested in balls, practice throwing them in the garden and swapping her for treats so when u eventually let her off u can use a ball thrower (tey are fab for burning energy off the dog and not you)
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Also try the balls that u place treats i that she has to roll across the floor to release the treats(use something yummy) this may take her mind off u not being in the room all the time, especailly with the baby gate sceanrio, as she knows u are only a stones throw away but still she is occupied.
 
Yesterday i walked out the kitchen door and within seconds she had jumped onto worktop and tried to get through the window and hung herself on the blinds lol.
 
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Yesterday i walked out the kitchen door and within seconds she had jumped onto worktop and tried to get through the window and hung herself on the blinds lol.

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This is the exact reason u need a routine for when u are in and out, so she does not stress or someonetimes even cotton on to you leaving, secure space/crate and radio on loud.
 
With such extreme separation anxiety I'd say you need to start with tiny tiny steps ... she needs to learn that if you leave you will come back ... so at first leave her for just a moment (either leave the room she's in or leave the house) but step right back in again almost straight away, and then carry on with what you were doing, don't fuss her or even make eye contact with her, not as you leave and not as you come back. If you come and go like this as though it's the most normal thing in the world over time you should be able to leave her for longer and longer periods without here fretting. Hope this helps and good luck
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