Whining, barking for attention, what to do?

[permaquandry]

Permapup barks and whines when we are in a another room to be with us, also when we leave the house. It doesn't go on for too long (I hope) but is getting progressively worse.

It's hard to explain but we have a peculiarly setup house so more often than not, is kept in the kitchen whilst we are elsewhere.

We do spend a lot of time with her, but whilst she is still destroying the house a pup she has to be restricted from some areas.

She is making the the most peculiar noise, never heard it before, sounds like a braying donkey!!?!

She is on day 11 of her season, so this could explain the strange noise.

I'm now concerned she makes this noise whilst I am out, luckily we have detached neighbours only and I hope they can't hear but I want to nip this in the bud now.

Assuming that this is not the season and is just a thing she does, how to I handle it best? Ignore totally, or use a training tactic?

I have crated her as that seems to calm her quicker but she has the run of the kitchen normally (whilst we are in and out).

I might wait till she is out of season and then ignore when she makes a noise dont run back to her and pet her and then attention when she is being good,

I am not an expert but a friend used the method pasted below (there are experienced dog people who do not agree with the use of crates - your judgement). Also, when she entered the house and her dogs started barking and jumping up she ignored them and asked all guests to do the same. When they stopped jumping and barking she made a big fuss of them. This worked for her.

^The only other suggestion I would throw in is to get him used to his crate first. I started with no door on the crate for 2 days and fed him there, and gave him treats in there. I would store all his toys there and throw a ball in it to make him go in to fetch it. Every time he went in voluntarily I would praise him like crazy! After 2 days no door, I added door and left open while repeating activities. I would catch him sleeping and put him in his crate while he was asleep so that he would wake up in his crate, comfy and warm. Even if he woke up while I put him in there I would praise him. Soon I started to close him in. He hated that, and so did I while I hid, waiting in the hallway while he cried. After he stopped crying (and only then), I would open the crate and let him out. I did this several times a day and extended the time that I was hiding or leaving NEVER making a big deal out of it, until I started to notice he would go in voluntarily and take a nap with the door open.

I have 2 other dogs that are not crated, but he had separation anxiety and basically didn't know what to do with himself or how to act without me there. I realized one day when I went upstairs that he cried for me and then it stopped. I came down to find that he had gone to his "den" or his crate sleeping soundly. That is what he knew and how he feels safe.

I always leave the radio or TV on, a tiny bit of water in the crate with a chew bone and a snuggle toy. I personally have a fairly large crate with a fluffy pillow covered by a towel in the crate leaving 6 inches of room at the front for the water and chew toys. I would never leave him in there more than 3 - 4 hours at a time, and if you have to leave longer a small room enclosure is better.

It would be very social of you as a neighbor to send out a note to all of those annoyed by him explaining your situation, apologizing for it, adding details of how you are trying to train him, your methods, and even ask if anyone has any tips for you. You may even find a neighbor willing to help you by coming in to check on him, but I believe that Dames with Dames already suggested that.

Be consistent and don't give in to the crying! It is horrendous and they will even bounce against the crate, but if you persevere, you will soon see that he will realize that it was worth it.

One more tip. If you tire him out with play or walking before you go, it would make much more sense in doggy terms that you are leaving him behind, as he is tired so can't keep up with the pack! :-)^

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