separation anxiety - urgent help please!!

N

noodle_

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 October 2010
Messages
5,083
Location
Earth...
Visit site
Ok.... need serious help as im totally at the end of the line.

Spaniel - 4 year old - grew up with 2 collies... lost them last year (old age), since then my dog (M) has been barking/howling etc when we leave her.... neighbours (rightly) complained, so we bought a £70 spray collar (citronella one)...

Fast foward 12 months - we moved the dog from the hall/stairs because we figured being by the front door (postman etc) wouldnt be helping the situation (she still howls/cries)

She now lives in the lounge (back of house) when we go out (i work 4 hours 3 days a week), she has no figured out that when she cries - she dosent get sprayed...therefore she cries. Neighbour still moaning (rightly...)!....

We have (to date) tried the spray collar (she has been known to cry for 4 hours straight).... crating.... DAP stuff.....leaving her for short periods/building up..... not greeting her.....

Through all this we have video evidence wheat she does...a few times she has cried for 5-10 min's they lay down - which was fab but shes still a miserable sod.(body language)....

So....next plan is to put ababygate in the doorway of my room (upstairs) as she sleeps there... and her bed is there - and see how she goes from there.... (probably with a bark collar)

Neighbours son (3) commented today when my mum walked in "oh thats the lady with the noisey dog".....

the walls in our house are thinner than normal.... (i hear them yawn)! but no-one (not even me) likes a yappy dog....

My theory is to get her a friend... but mum (fair enough) isnt so keen... but to me she needs soemthing to take her attention off me and to let her be a happy dog again - because shes not - shes miserable and im sick of crying and being stressed out because of this..........


any help please????????
 
Hi noddle,
well I am no expert but the babygate idea may well work and would be a cheaper alternative to getting second poouch even if a rescue/oldie. I know someone on another forum had a dog with seperation problems but that was at the loss of canine friend, not specifically when left, and they got the dog a fairly large cuddly dog which real dog has now adopted as her friend and is fine. Daft but it might work.
Cheers and best of luck
 
I know how stressful it is... esp when you have neighbours to worry about.

I have a bark collar for H, but I found in this situation where is is stressed and not just liking the sound of his own voice, it made him worse.

You posted a thread the other day didn't you about this? You said that when you're home the dog is your constant shadow. This was my problem with H and when I stopped this and shut him away from me even when I was home was when he turned the corner. I can now leave him and he doesn't even follow me to the door.

I definitly think not letting her sleep in your room is the 1st step. Is there a reason why you can't just shut the door? Or maybe crate her at the bottom of your bed for a few nights, then crate her in the corridor and gradually work her downstairs to where you will leave her when you're out?

there are certainly no quick fixes. Good luck! Try not to worry.
 
thanks all :0

yep same person with thread.

im going to try tomorow letting her stay in my room when we got out wiht a babygate accross the door - shes very protective of my room.... so im hoping she feels more confident in there??? (minus collar as that makes her more stressed....)


A few other people ive spoke to said "get her a friend" some "dont"...... i personally would rather have 2 dogs.... company for each other etc - but i dont want two naughty/barking dogs so i dont know what to do for the best?
 
we have tried with the crate yep.....

still doing it now.... but trying a babygate in my room tomorow to give the crate idea a while longer....

i have sprayed some rescue remedy down her gob.... and have the vets monday for her referal (lameness) anyhow..... so i will also ask them for advice.

willl let this thread lie - try the crate again and then my room/babygate - then speak to my vet too - im willing to try calmers if thats what it takes...
 
update :D :D

Just thought id update this....

left her today in my room (locked in with a babygate..) NO collar on.......


she was as quiet as a mouse................:)

slept for the whole 20 mins :)

first time ever...... its a start :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top