Separation Anxiety - Urgent Help Required!

[mammag]

I have a 2 year old neuterd male Labrador. We rescued him in August and thought he was settling into the family well... that was until our next door neighbour informed us that he is barking and howling from the minute our car leaves until we get back. We are not away for long: the school run, shopping: he is not left all day everyday. I cannot take him to school because he does the same and this can be very frightening to children not used to dogs.

I got the camcorder out and filmed Dizzy when we went out. He seemed to stress himself out by constantly looking out of the lounge window and by barking at the passers by and the world in general. So I thought that maybe if I put him in an environment where he doesn't have that attraction he may be better. So I put his bedding toys etc in the kitchen set up the camcoreder and left him for 15 mins....he was worse: howling like a wolf.

Since our neighbour told us (last week) we have tried to stop Dizzy being so needy, to make him more comfortable with his own company. So we stopped him following us EVERYWHERE, stopped him sleeping upstairs and stopped him demanding attention. This has been very hard emotionally for us. Somebody told us about a shock collar that will stop him barking..however I feel this will not address the underlying problem: his need for constant companionship.

Any advise will be gratefully recieved. We are in a very serious situation - if we cannot rectify Dizzy's behaviour we risk losing our home or having to take Dizzy to the RSPCA.

[nick_j007]

Hi. Sounds as though you are getting it right by creating a dog that can cope with less physical and emotional dependency by doing as you describe. Greetings are a key related area to S.A. I suggest to utterly ignore upon homecomings until he is calm. Then call him over, ask for the sit as you hold the collar and greet in a calm controlled way. This helps create the minimum of fuss and exaggeration when you then leave next time.

Here's another key methods to help overcome your dog's association towards being left alone: Either take his daily dried food quotient and add warm water to make up a firm paste that can be stuffed into a Kong, or bring him onto Nature Diet which has the perfect consistency for Kong stuffing.

The seek to break his daily food allowance down into say 6 parts so that it is then stuffed into a good sized Kong. the Kong will need to be big enough to take a 6th in each serving.

You are only to feed him this way for a couple of weeks! No free of charge food through his bowl, nor any treats. Every time you leave him he is given a Kong and should be left quietly alone to devour! You will need to create other 20-30 minutes periods every day so that he can be left in the room you intend when out for real to empty the Kong. Do you see the idea?

Continue to record him and within a few days he should settle far better. Ensure he is on a healthy food by the way. Ensure he is fully exercised. This breed at this age have a high drive normally. Ensure you ask for his obedience in the home in terms of good manners.

About 10-20 minutes before departing begin to create some emotional distance, so no fuss on goodbyes, very matter of fact. Roll in Kong, tell him to be good and off you go. Look relaxed...even if you don't feel it

I assume he can cope in one room whilst you're in another? Practice small leaving routines such as keys, coat and phone and then just sit down and ignore him. You can test him further as you go with ideas such as false departures, so you get your stuff and then leave the front door and remain quietly to one side out of sight. Wait a short time and then re enter ignoring as you do so. Gradually extend the timings, and consider blending in giving of the Kong when you do them. He should come to see your departure as a positive event this way.

Let me know what you think

Nick

[mammag]

Very pleased we are on the right-ish track! I will go and seek a Kong tomorrow!

I was going to try keeping him in the kitchen for Kong training and when we go out as I do not want him to turn his attention to commotion outside (we currently have a building site opposite). Do you think this is wise or do you think he is best with the run of downstairs?

Thank you very much for your advice. I will put it into practise and keep you posted on his progression!

Mykel

[nick_j007]

Originally Posted by mammag

Very pleased we are on the right-ish track! I will go and seek a Kong tomorrow!

I was going to try keeping him in the kitchen for Kong training and when we go out as I do not want him to turn his attention to commotion outside (we currently have a building site opposite). Do you think this is wise or do you think he is best with the run of downstairs?

Thank you very much for your advice. I will put it into practise and keep you posted on his progression!

Mykel

I think the kitchen is best yes. Ensure things are safe and pushed back out of his way/access. He should (ideally) not be able to obsess and bark at things outside in your absence.

Consider three Kongs so you can make a few and rotate them. They wash well in the dishwasher I find They can be pre stuffed and bagged and then chilled. I agreed with a client last week to stuff one and then freeze it and to then give it as they go shopping for extra time to empty it...they get very skilled over time

Kongs I like are here: KONG Pet Toys - Legendary Strength, Quality, and Performance It should be about 6/8inches tall.

Your pet shop will love you - they're about £7.00 each

Keep me posted please. I admire your efforts. Consider reading through my articles as a checklist for your dog. Esp. ones on leadership, doorways etc Expert Articles - Dog-Behavior-Training.co.uk Forum

Nick

[mammag]

I have just purchased an EXTREME Kong - Dizzy is a chewer and can destroy toys very quickly. So all is go on the new regime!

I will read your other articles - thank you once again. Starting to feel postive about it all!

Wish me luck!

Mykel

[nick_j007]

Good luck!

It should be fine

[nick_j007]

Hi. how are you getting on?

Nick