Separation anxiety in a dog

[sadders]

Anyones dog had this?

We have had our dog for 3 months (he is now 5 months)and he has a bit of separation problem.

When we put him to bed he cries and barks usually for about 10 mins sometimes as long as half an hour with a bit of wihmpering afterwards andthe same when he is left in the daytime but then he usually settles and is not then bothered by noise inside or outside the house. When he does this we leave him as we dont want him to learn that he will get attention through this behaviour and reinforce it.

Problem is that we live in a semi and our neighbours have started to complain about the noise which I can understand. We now get really stressed when he barks as we are concerned about next door.

We have a dog behaviourist coming round on monday to help us out but I really don't know what to expect and if we can get him out of it.

I am beginning to get really concerned that we may have to re-home him to keep the peace.

Anyones dog had this? How did you get them out of it?

[Bob Fleming]

Just gaffa tape his muzzle up when you go to bed

[Stevie Freestein II]

My neighbours have recently bought a dog and leave it alone a lot.

Barks once or twice every minute for ages.

Might go and have a word with them as it's annoying as fook but I feel sorry for the dog.

[walter mitty]

kick the fucking thing whats wrong with you?

[sadders]

Originally Posted by Stevie Freestein II

My neighbours have recently bought a dog and leave it alone a lot.

Barks once or twice every minute for ages.

Might go and have a word with them as it's annoying as fook but I feel sorry for the dog.

Fortunately ours doesn't do it over extended periods but it is constant for 10-20 mins then he quietens down. Once he is asleep though we can't go down stairs for fear of disturbing him and starting him off again as we want to be considerate to next door. We currently put him down at 9.30 so it's not too late for the noise.

[tunstall birdman]

One technique which I do is to ignore the dog just before I go out and when I return give it bags of attention. Cuddling a dog before you leave it alone reinforces the separation anxiety so this is a no. But loads of attention and cuddles when you get back the dog then associates you being away and waiting as a reward and should calm down after a while. Not sure if this will work on all dogs?

[bramble is god]

My dog has this a bit, but fortunately never gets left alone because there is always somebody home, if not we can dump the dog accross the road with my granda and he will look after him, the dog practically has two homes .

This is a hard dilemma mate and hope the dog behaviourist can sort it. Having to give away a dog must be one of the hardest things ever! Possibly worse than them dieing one day.

[SexyMackem]

when he barks or whimpers just whack him with a rolled up Echo. He'll soon get the message.

[Stevie Freestein II]

Originally Posted by sadders

Fortunately ours doesn't do it over extended periods but it is constant for 10-20 mins then he quietens down. Once he is asleep though we can't go down stairs for fear of disturbing him and starting him off again as we want to be considerate to next door. We currently put him down at 9.30 so it's not too late for the noise.

There's your problem.

By terminating your dog each night it's transforming itself as a zombie, thus continuing the life-bark-death-bark-life cycle.

You're a very considerate neighbour. Mine are a noisy copper, his quiet wife, quiet kid and noisy dog.

[Epping]

Originally Posted by SexyMackem

when he barks or whimpers just whack him with a rolled up Echo. He'll soon get the message.

don't need to clout the dog. just bang the floor next to the dog..