Separation anxiety in a bloody houseful!

[Windyatthebeach]

We have 4 ddogs. Currently dpuppy can't join all of them on long walks so splitting them up randomly so she can enjoy walk with others in turn or on her own.
When left behind she is never alone but she howls like she is!!.
Ds was in his room and he thought something had happened to her!
Dh left her crated - or she shreds the wallpaper and goes nuts at the door.
Youngest dodg is 6 and can't remember this stage!!
How can I help? She is 20 weeks.
Oh and I work so dh is dealing with daytime ddog duty.

[BiteyShark]

When left behind she is never alone but she howls like she is!!.

Confused by this as you said she is crated.

If someone is in another room then in her head she is being left alone and you would need to go back to basics of getting her used to being separated for short periods of time, gradually increasing it bit by bit.

[Windyatthebeach]

Another ddog is in the room with her. Not too comfortable with leaving her loose unattended as she isn't too respectful of ddogs and just stands on them...

[BiteyShark]

I think some dogs don't necessarily view other dogs as company iykwim. It's a bit like when someone gets another dog to solve separation anxiety and then finds out that it's the human they want not another dog.

In this situation your other dog doesn't sound like they are giving her any comfort when humans are not around. I would work on getting her used to you being out for shorter periods so gradually building up to being left for such a long time.

[SlothMama]

You need to build the time spent by herself, when you go to take the other dogs leave her with stuffed kong. So they will associate being left with getting a treat

[Windyatthebeach]

Thanks.
Our other ddogs are sooo quiet. She is a true banshee..
The guilty one...

[Scattyhattie]

Dunno if any use but this is offer at 99p kindle version at moment.
www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Right-Back-Overcome-Separation-ebook/dp/B081Y9XFXF?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

someone on here recommended the FB group while back, which seems really useful but admittedly I've not had time to make use of advice yet.
en-gb.facebook.com/subthresholdtraining/

[adaline]

Another dog isn't human company though.

It sounds like separation anxiety to me I'm afraid.

[DesdemonaDryEyes]

Did you need another dog?

[Windyatthebeach]

Actually dpuppy was recommended by our vet. Oldest ddog was recently pts due to a brain tumour - resulting sadly in aggressive behaviour - apparently less chance of other dogs suffering depression welcoming a dpuppy into the family .
Dpuppy has been a welcome distraction all round. 10 years of ddog1 left a vast space..
Now schools are shutting there will be no separation now anyway...

[mimbleandlittlemy]

Windy - she is absolutely beautiful, even if she is a banshee.

[Booboostwo]

Why is she left alone (the other dog clearly doesn't count from her point of view) if another member of the family is actually around? And please don't crate her when she is distressed, you are just making her dislike the crate.

[Windyatthebeach]

Ds was asleep (ME) and dh was out with 2 x ddogs. Crate only overnight.. Not a fan tbh but until I am happy the ddogs love her!

[Booboostwo]

It sounds like she may have separation anxiety tendencies. The more you reassure her now, the more you avoid situations where her anxiety is triggered, the more likely she is to grow out of it.

[yorkshireteaspoonie]

Mines 8 and he's still howling when left!

He's never left for more than 2 hours by himself and often with another dog.. he still thinks we are never coming back and will 'sing the song of his people' despite the other dogs presence 🙄 apparently I am not replaceable. It's like having a clingy toddler!

[Windyatthebeach]

Currently mning in bed with 4 bloody ddogs!! No separation going on today!!

Need to break it to dh his new slipper is dead...