Barking/Crying Issues

[princessali]

Hi,

I recently joined this site as im in need of some advice concerning my dog.

I have a Cavalier King Charles who is almost 3 and I have had him since he was 8 weeks old.

Over the last 6 months or so, he has started crying and barking at night. This has gradually got worse and worse and I am at my wits end with it. He has always been confined to the kitchen at night and never displayed this type of behaviour before. I try to ignore him but sometimes I have to go downstairs but when he sees me approaching, without having to speak, he goes to his bed and stops. As soon as I get back upstairs he often starts again.

He has also started to bark when he is let into the garden at night and he wont return when I tell him to.

The other day, I returned home from being out for about 2 hours to find him crying and howling, now I am worried that he is doing this all day if I am out and I'm worried about upsetting the neighbours.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks

[Natalie]

Sounds like a case of separation anxiety to me where your dog cant bare to be without you. Although this can be solved by products form your vet i'd advise trying the following first (i'm not a fan of drugs and such).

As hard as it is, try not to go down to solve his anxiety by going to get him every time he barks, if he see's this he'll know that if he barks he'll get what he wants, making the problem worse. Try and wait until he calms down if possible before going down.

There are a lot of ways to deal with it so i'd need to know more before blabbing on about the different types

Does your dog crave a lot of attention when your around and need to be near to you at all times?

Have your working hours changed recent or over the past 6 months problem time?

Do you have a crate or pen of any kind? A crate or pen is a great place to make your dog feel safe when no one is around.

[princessali]

Hi Natalie,

Firstly, thanks for replying.

My work hours did change about a year ago, unfortunately, I had to take on a few extra hours.

He does crave alot of attention. He has always been a "mummys" dog but thinking about it now, he has got worse. I cant move without him following me....even going to the toilet is a problem. He wont lie down unless im sitting either. My house is very open plan so I can see the living room from the back of the kitchen and even then he still follows me.

I used to have a crate but as he was then put in the kitchen and seemed ok for about a year I sold it.

Definately sounds like seperation anxiety now im writing all this.

[Natalie]

Try maybe keeping him away from you more, and teach him it's ok to be apart and that he should feel safe without you.

Maybe start off having him by you with no contact with praise, then gradually move him, or move away from him a bit further in the room praising him every time he does well.

It doesn't have to be for long periods just 5-10 minutes or so then back to cuddles if that's what he wants.

Maybe get another crate too, crates or cages are often used to help the dog feel they are in a secure place.