help please with new dog Cala or anyone who deal with rescues

dingle12

dingle12

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Recently got a new dog from the rescue kennels he is a 10 month whippet male, he was handed in due to owner working long hours. ( that what we were told anyway!!). He is a really nice dog house trained, good with kids and on the lead, however he hates been left on his own. You cant get out of the room without him following you and whinging (sp) we have had to get a cage for when we go out due to him scratching the carpets up at every door and chewing!!! He is only left on his own from 7.300am till 12.30 three mornings a week the rest of the time someone is with him and when they are he is so relaxed just does what whippets do best sleep!!!. Any tips on what we can do?? i know it could take time we have only had him 3 weeks. Thanks
 
Is he with someone the whole time someone is in the house with him?
And since he arrived has he has alot of human attention and company.
If so...you need to get him used to spending time on his own even when someone is in the house...i.e his crate.
If the crate is only used when someone leaves...he will assosiate this with being left.
Place him in the crate with a long lasting chew or kong, and get on with normal daily tasks, ignoring him if he begins to whinge or scratch.....repeat this for short periods of time when someone is in..also leave the radio on...both when someone is in the house and when they leave to lessen him hearing people arrive and depart.

When returning home and letting him out of the crate...don't fuss him...simply direct him to the garden to do his business..as an over exagerated greeting will only make him more anxious for someone to arrive to give it to him.
Also get him used to sleeping in the crate at night.
Its a typical case of seperation anxiety, you could also try a dap diffuser to plug in near his crate or some rescue remedy to lessen the anxiety.
You have done the right thing getting the crate...this maybe why he was handed into the rescue in the first place...it's pretty easy to remedy, 99% of rescues we get in display the same behaviour which is why we get them used to the crate first and then gradually increase the time they spend with us.

Also only allow him to come out of the crate when he is quiet and settled as a reward for displaying the calm behaviour as letting him out when he is whinging is effectily giving him what he wants.
Try to give him lots of exercise before goin ino the crate to wear him out a little too.
Whippets are very clingy and they get to sleep on beds and chairs and accompnay their owners everywhere...because they are sooo cute...so of ourse this does not help as they become reliant on the constant attention, much the same as any dog would.
 
I have always found rescue dogs to be a little more clingy than dogs you've had from pups. They feel insecure and worried and the way they make themselves feel safe is to make sure they keep you in sight at all times. CALAs advice is good, leave him alone for a few minutes in another room and gently build the time up but don't make a big fuss of him when you let him out, wear him out with a good run before you leave, make the crate a place of safety and pleasure not a punishment and where's the pictures of the whippety boy
wink.gif
 
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