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The doghouse

Lonely Springer Spaniel

9 replies

geminitiger · 02/07/2012 10:11

Trying to figure out if this is loneliness or something else. Have been spending more time upstairs than normal recently - not for the first time and have been joined by our English Springer. It used to be just short visits but now he sleeps on the floor as to be near us. I don't mind at all but am wondering if anyone could shed some light onto why. We do still spend time downstairs and he's been happy to be nearly exclusively downstairs for nearly 2 years before this. We used to have 2 Springers but were forced to rehome the other one when we moved. For over six months after that we couldn't leave him alone, had to take him with us when we went out, he accompanied DH to work, got in a friend to dog sit, he slept in our bedroom, but we managed to get him to a point where he was settled again. I'm worried in case he's going back to that stage as it was awful to see him so distressed - we had no idea that rehoming would have such a bad effect on the remaining dog. Also going away for a couple of nights soon and don't want to leave him if there's any issue. Please tell me that I'm over reacting and it's just the change in routine that's brought this on.

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OhMrPackham · 02/07/2012 10:15

You don't say how old your Springer is but our old collie got more clingy the older he got - 'checking in' with his nose throughout the day, Every 20 mins or so, this was when he was 13+.

Could he perhaps be reaching that stage?

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mistlethrush · 02/07/2012 10:17

My dog likes to be near us - ideally touching us so lying on a foot or similar, but close will do. For her I feel its reinforcement of the 'togetherness' that she is reassured by (and also if we're around we'll look after her so no need to stay awake for any reason). Whilst she does this, she happily goes to bed in her own basket when we go out without her, or at bed time (although if its hot she might sometimes come up first thing in the morning and have a bit more sleep on the floor in the bedroom).

What are you doing for the nights away? We never send ours to kennels (rescued, was in kennels for quite a long time and hated it) and if we can't take her with us she stays with someone that she knows.

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geminitiger · 02/07/2012 10:23

He'll be five in October. Had him literally since birth (ILs used to breed them). He'll be going to close friends, he's stayed in their house before, sees them a lot, gets on with their dog. After everything that's happened with him a kennel's never going to be an option. It just seems to me like something's happened to make him unsure of us being around if that makes any sense.

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TraceyWasALoner · 02/07/2012 17:37

Our Springer puppy is 5 months and anytime I'm in the kitchen she has to be sitting on my feet or touching them Confused. I think she's just one of those dogs that likes to be doing stuff with you all the time. Why not let him sleep in your room if it reassures him?

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geminitiger · 03/07/2012 14:14

He's more than welcome to sleep in my room (except for times like last night when he'd crapped on the stairs and I didn't see it when I got in late from work) Sad I'm just worried that something's happened to make him clingier than normal scratches him behind the ears.

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Alameda · 03/07/2012 14:17

:( mine, also 5, can cope with anything but being alone

so much so he even let one of the (6kg!) monster cats curl up and sleep on him yesterday

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geminitiger · 03/07/2012 15:08

Yikes Alameda that's quite a cat. I hear you though, was in the bathroom earlier when I realised that I wasn't alone any more.... Hmm Abandonment issues much?

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Alameda · 03/07/2012 15:13

mine likes to open the bathroom door and then sit in the doorway with his back to me, sentry duty and quite respectful I suppose but it is not my favourite of his habits

I can leave him for a couple of hours with a kong, the radio and some cuddly toys though - any of these things help yours?

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geminitiger · 03/07/2012 15:54

I have to leave him on his own for a few hours sometimes, tried the radio to no effect. I know that he cries as my neighbour has told me but it's not a constant thing, just off and on (not that it makes me feel any better). Will be investing in a kong and some more toys, thanks for advice. Ah springer habits, where do you start? If he's not raiding the food shopping I'm a happy girl Grin

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