Dog not like being left

[Jennypenny]

Hi, my new dog does not like being left. He wont let us out of his sight. He is a very good boy and well mannered in the house, we can not fault him. But he loves human company and he does not like being left. I tried putting him in a kennel with another dog while I was at work (kennel at work place but he just barked. So at the mo he goes to my mums or partner mums when we work. We need to get him used to being left for short periods. We are thinking of using a crate to start with. He jumps up at the doors and knocks thing over when left loose. Does not chew or anything but just jumping around and stressed as left. Then eventually settles. Would like to try the kennel again? do you think I should? Any advice would be great. Thanks guys. P.s Carla he is slowly getting better with the cat

thanks for your help!

 

[stencilface]

We put ours in a cage in the kitchen for short periods when we first had her as she also wouldn't be left in the house (with another dog as a companion). It was a biggish cage as she is an alsatian cross. I think this was mainly for her chewing stuff when we went out, but also as she got stressed.

We put her bed in there, so she got used to being in there, and slept in there at night with the door open. Putting her bed in there, as well as water and toys made her not see it as so much of a 'punishment' when we went out I think. I can't remember how long we did this for, maybe 6 months, but she is fine now and happily stays at home alone for long periods with her friend.

 

[peanut]

Have you tried leaving the radio on when you go out? Radio 4 or other talking station is best.

 

[Foxyfilly]

I've copied and pastied this from another forum for you,

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Now for the dog with fully blown SA. The most obvious answer is the dog is confused, his routine is shot and he hasnt a clue who is in charge around the place. You need to start an intensive training programme NOW.

Start to think from your dogs point of view not your own, he/she doesnt understand why sometimes when you get up to leave, you put on your shoes, you pick up your car keys, and you place on your coat, he/she gets to come, other times you leave them behind! They dont understand you need to go to work, visiting they think your life revolves around them and the park, and the truth of the matter is you have probably let them.

Follow the outlined steps on the Youve got your new Hound Home thread and make sure that whilst at home your dog gets time out while you are in and around the house. You cant have your dog glued to your hip when you are in and then expect it to just accept you are out can you? Think about it sensibly.

SA training needs the use of a smaller, securer area, too big an open space can give the dog to much to think about and too much responsibility.

Things you need to deal with SA :

1 dog gate Argos £34.99
rescue remedy (chemist)
Dap Diffuser ( vets)

If the methods I explain dont work you may need to consider investing in a crate for an initial training period.

Once you have started to establish a routine whilst you are home and the dog has started to learn to stay in the safe are alone while you are home then you are already making progress.

When you first start to leave a dog with SA even for five minutes there are things you need to do before leaving. Dogs anxiety levels usually peak within the first twenty minutes of you leaving and any damage done is usually within this time. So take the 20 minute peak out of the equation. Place the dog into the secure area 20 minutes before you leave, put on your shoes and coat, pick up your keys, you bag everything you would do as you are about to leave the house and then SIT DOWN!! Spend 20 minutes drinking a cup of tea, reading a book whatever. Then simply get up and leave without saying a word. Its no use telling the dog, its okay im going now but I will be back, what the dog heres is come on then lets go for a walk. They dont understand simple!! Leave the house and hang around and listen!! If after 5 minutes you have no barking howling go back into the house, dont say a word, NO GREETING, hang up your coat, your bag take off your shoes and still do not speak to the dog! By this time if true to form he/she should be bouncing head height with you, fine let them, make a cup of tea and ignore them. Then go and sit down, once the dog has given up and settled YOU then call the dog over for a fuss on your terms, not when they are demading who is in charge here?? Continue with the time out while you are in aswell. Push the time you are out of the house after going through the shoes, coat, keys routine to ten minutes, then twenty, then thirty and upwards.

If whilst you are listening outside the dog barks or yaps DO NOT go back into the house whilst they are doing it, wait and listen till they settle down then go back in. If you walk back through that door as the dog is kicking off you have just taught them that if they kick off you come back

What is the rescue remedy?? The rescue remedy is a mixture of bach remedies used to quell anxiety, it is used in humans aswell as dogs, if you keep this up at times of stress it will help the dog settle.

What is the Dap Diffuser? A Dap is a plug in device much the same as the plug in airfreshners only it releases appheasing phenemones similar to what a lactating bitch would release whilst feeding her puppies. It helps to give the dog a sense of security and calmness and helps them settle easily. The Dap should be plugged in and left running at all times in the training/secure area of the house that the dog is being left in.

The main results in SA dogs are maintained with consistency, do not think oh okay after three days he has been fine and drop your guard, you should never greet a dog on return to the house period, always allowing 15 minutes settling down, if you greet a dog on return its not hearing see I told you its alright its hearing im soo soo sorry you got stressed out when I left you I wont do it again This is something the whole family needs to keep up, children, in laws, dog walkers whoever. Also if you return home and the dog has soiled, damaged whatever DO NOT use the training/safe area as somewhere to place the dog for punishment! Not rocket science but they will no longer feel safe and secure there.


Hope this helps.

 

[CAYLA]

As above.....u have to get him used to residing in the crate when u are in aswell as out..so he does not assosiate it with being left, it takes a little while for them to settle ino it, just be patient and consistent with the introduction.