Separation anxiety - help.

N

noodle_

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 October 2010
Messages
5,083
Location
Earth...
Visit site
Spaniel x collie has always suffered from this since loosing her mates 2 years ago - she barks when we go out - howls etc...neighbours quite rightly hate her. (im beginning too...)

Shes 100% fine when we are home...can leave the room, shut her in rooms without us etc, but cannot leave the house without her kicking off.

We have done everything... had the behaviourist round, (qualified) whos advised shes banned from the sofa, shut her out when we have tea etc, basically make her confident and independent. We have left the radio on, tv etc

We had made a breakthrough (so we thought) got her a friend last week who she absolutely adores, follows him everywhere - plays etc. But when we go out he now stays in his crate, her having either the run of the lounge or hall, stairs landing (away from him)

Him out of the crate (pup) ISNT an option. He chews. (for now anyhow, when hes older he can)

The ONLY way to shut her up when we go (collie x) is to put the video camera on as shes scared of it... (!) which is horrible but our neighbours are kicking off and i can imagine the council will be involved in the not so distant future.

This morning i left her shaking, as i was leaving her...I had left her in the same room as the pup (him in crate), her run but pup pen accross the door so she can see me in/out but cant leave the room... she has a kong, a dog snack ball etc...breaks my heart thinking shes so upset.

even a run to make her so tired she cant move dosent help ....

At a TOTAL loss. We thought we had it cracked. Pup frankly is irrelevent in the anxiety process, i want her to be focused on the pup not on us....which is why hes here! (and my agility dog...!)

Any advice please... open to calmers etc - anything really (tried rescue remedy, dosent touch her...) We will get the behaviourist out again if needby - willing to try anything....

Oh and shes never left longer than 4 hours 3/4 x a week!!

thanks in advance
 
crate train her and leave her in crate next to pup?

I know how it feels. My GSP suddenly got SA earlier in the year. We introduced the crate and covered it up to make it like a den and give him kongs with sardines or cheese in and now he's fine.
 
She was crate trained a long time ago... (when she was a puppy)

Worth a shot though... we only have one crate now so i will have a mooch on preloved for a 2nd hand crate in case it dosent work i dont want to spend a fortune i dont have :/

thank you for your reply :)
 
same as H... He was crated up till around 16 months and then the SA started around 26 months. He took to it again immediately though. Was no problem thankfully!
 
thanks :)

on preloved now but nothing suitable as its so far away!! lots on ebay so messaged them and hopefully!!

i do have 2 crates but ones for travelling so quite sloped but until i get another sorted pup can have that one and bigger crate my dog can go into....

Ebays are 40quid new for a 42" one which is pretty good i think!?
 
I would give crate training a try, the security of having her own space may make all the difference. Ask Cayla to let you have a copy of her crate training guide (she'll kill me for saying it but a small donation to Adopt a Dog is always welcome;)) and follow that to get her used to the crate.
I picked up a very reasonable crate off ebay, maybe not the sturdiest in the world but a fairly bouncy GSD pup didn't manage to destroy it.
 
Thanks :)

She was already crate trained... pup is already loving his crate, dont know why we didnt think of it tbh :)

I have a crate puppy can go in tonight and she can have his....ive located a shop in burnley ive bought from before - their crates arre around 30-40quid...
 
It was the brilliant Cayla who helped me with H earlier in the year :)

Sounds like you have a plan forming :)
 
both dogs currently in crates.... pups in the smaller (but still massive) 'car crate'.... spaniel is in pups big (think great dane size...for a cocker) crate

Currently on the look for a bigger cage to replace the 'car crate'...but for today that will do...

Both dogs have water, food and a kong with filling to keep them happy.... give them an hourand it will be playtime...!:)
 
I think the rule is don't go too big for crates?? They feel more secure if they don't have too much room? Esp pups?

When H was a pup he had a crate suitable for a springer, then when he grew he now has one suitable for a golden retriever.
 
thanks :)

i dont like the 'car crate' for them to sleep in anyhow to be honest - its sloping and i prefer the ones with 2 doors in and straight :)

not an urgent rush at least we have 2 crates :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top