We're in the process of maybe getting a new dog. We're rehoming a 13 month old labradoodle and from what we can see her only real problem is separation anxiety. She's on holiday with us at the moment for a few days until the owners and us decide what is the best course of action for her. She comes from a loving home but they just don't have time to spend with her.
So. my kids love her already and I'm wondering the best ways to try and combat separation anxiety and make things an easy transition.
Radio on when we leave her, toys specific for her when we leave her. Anything else?
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
New dog - separation anxiety in 13 month old labradoodle.
15 replies
Lotkinsgonecurly · 02/11/2012 13:46
OP posts:
WTFwasthat ·
04/11/2012 21:44
well same as you really! Max ended up sleeping in my room overnight and it was fine. We both got more sleep than we had since he arrived last Sunday! I crate him for short spells in the day and he doesn't really seem to mind that. There are treats and itvis so cozy I'd like to snuggle in there 
. I have gated the stairs and he is not allowed up there any other time and will cry at foot of stairs if I am bathing ds etc but not too bad. The nights really freaked him out so I used the path of least resistance. You have done a great thing by taking in a nervous dog. Well done, I look forward to your threads 
BehindLockNumberNine ·
10/11/2012 11:23
When we adopted our two year old whippety lurcher last year it transpired that he too suffered from separation anxiety. (he had been found as a stray, presumed abandoned / escaped from a traveller site so no history on him)
He destroyed the furniture in our bedroom (all the pine knobs and handles off the wardrobes, desk, dresser etc), destroyed two pine bedside tables, ate his way through shoes, belts, a leather handbag, books, electric razor etc etc. All put on high places and in closed rooms, but he know how to open doors and jump on things.
The lady at the lovely rescue centred recommended a crate and lent us one.
We took a few days of leaving the door open and popping treats in it just to get him to see it as a positive thing.
Then we progressed to shutting him in it whilst we were home for short periods of time, always rewarded with a treat if he was quiet (he was a champion whiner / howler)
After a week or so we started leaving him and hiding outside on the driveway, leaving the radio on, ensuring he had a stuffed kong and his favourite cuddely toy.
We were soon able to leave him for short periods and built this up, which was a huge relief as I work part time and had no option about leaving him for a few hours.
He now loves his crate. As soon as he sees us getting our shoes on in the morning, and he sees dd pick up her school bag he trots off into his crate and snuggles down.
It really does work
BehindLockNumberNine ·
10/11/2012 11:26
Oh, the thinking from the lady in the rescue was that our dog was feeling under pressure to 'defend' the whole house whilst he was on his own. She said he was feeling vulnerable and thus anxious. Nothing to do with 'missing us' as such, more a feeling of being left in charge and not being able to cope.
She said that in the wild dogs left behind whilst the pack is out would make a den under falling branches and by digging down. She said that is their instinct. Thus, if you get the crate, make it snug, cover it with a blanket so it is dark and secure, they should like it. It certainly worked for our dog.
13 months is not too old to begin crate training. But go about it gently and in small steps
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.