Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

This is probably my fault, but a little help with barking woofs please?

14 replies

SnakeyMcBadass · 27/01/2014 17:14

I've started walking the dogs separately in the afternoon as I need to work on the spaniel's reactivity and socialise the pup. Actual walking is going really well, but the problem is that the pup isn't used to being on his own. He went from his litter to our home, and has always had the spaniel for company. As soon as we leave his sight, he howls and barks. I'm out for maybe 15 minutes with the spaniel, and he is still creating when we get back. We're detached, so I'm not bothered about neighbours etc, just concerned that he finds being left so upsetting. To top it all off, when I swapped dogs and got back from walking the pup, the spaniel was kicking off Hmm As far as I know, they don't make a peep when we leave them together (Never heard anything when we get back or leave, anyway). Is there anything I can do to stop them fretting?

OP posts:
Roshbegosh · 27/01/2014 17:16

I hope as well as being detached you are on a 10 acre plot. Otherwise you should be bothered about your neighbours.

deardarlingpleaaeexcusemywriti · 27/01/2014 17:16

:(

Not really the same, but it may help.

Our spaniel was barking when we were out (we're detached too, but the neighbours did complain).

We started letting her sit in the window at the front of the house. She used to sleep on the windowsill and watch for us to come back. It destroyed the paintwork as she was on again and off again the whole time any time a car went past, but it DID stop the barking.

After about a year we re-decorated so stopped her sitting in the windowsill and she now just happily curls up next to the front door while she waits for us.

I don't know if it's possible for you to leave either of yours anywhere where they will have a view to the street? It may help, other than that I don't know!

deardarlingpleaaeexcusemywriti · 27/01/2014 17:17

Yes, what roshbegosh said - your neighbours may well hear it. We didn't know for ages that it was happening as it wasn't constant and we obviously weren't there to hear it. But the neighbours were!

HoneyDragon · 27/01/2014 17:20

D you get on with your neighbours? Mine were brilliant when Hully went through a barking phase! and after asking nicely actively listened out for how long she barked for.

Eventually we cottoned on that she was barking on our leaving for a while and then on our return, so we knew a really exciting chew that lasted longer than the barking period was the answer :-D

My neighbour used to lean over the fence and spy on her and report back too Grin

Original poster
SnakeyMcBadass · 27/01/2014 18:35

Our neighbours would only hear them if they were outside, iyswim, as we all have full length gardens and walls between us. And obviously I would be bothered if the neighbours were disturbed, it's just that when I ask they always say they don't hear them. I'm hoping for some advice with regards to a solution.

OP posts:
Original poster
SnakeyMcBadass · 27/01/2014 18:38

We're down a long driveway with a pedestrian path running alongside at the front, so we tend to keep them in the back of the house when we're out so there are less distractions. Neighbour opposite has a cat which likes to perform yoga moves out the front and drive the spaniel demented Grin

OP posts:
NuttyMuttie · 27/01/2014 19:18

What is the pup like if you leave him in a room on his own but stay in the house.

I am wondering if the barking is actually due to the fact you are going for a walk and leaving him behind rather than separation anxiety.

Floralnomad · 27/01/2014 19:39

TBH is it really worth the aggravation ,why not just work on these things in the evenings and at weekends when you can get the other half / children to take one whilst you take the other . Sorry if that's not helpful but I'm very much of the opinion that we should make our lives as hassle free as possible .

Original poster
SnakeyMcBadass · 27/01/2014 19:39

Ooh, interesting. I do leave him in the kitchen sometimes when he's terrorising the spaniel. He sits by the stair gate and grumbles for a bit, then usually settles down and sleeps. If I close the door, he might scratch for a minute, but then goes quiet. The spaniel hasn't made a peep when left since he was a tiny pup, but today seemed most put out at being left behind

OP posts:
Original poster
SnakeyMcBadass · 27/01/2014 19:42

Yeah, you have a point Floral. It's just that I have these few hours free most afternoons and it suits me to do it then. They do seem fine when left together.

OP posts:
HoneyDragon · 27/01/2014 19:55

Yes, my plan rather relies on helpful neighbours who CAN here.

It worked btw. Now if I begin the motions of going out the dog goes and finds her kong for me to fill Grin

HoneyDragon · 27/01/2014 19:55

Hear

NuttyMuttie · 27/01/2014 19:59

Then I guess he is just miffed that you have left him behind for the walk.

Could you give him a bone/kong then quietly leave with other dog?
Could you disguise your exit?

headlesslambrini · 27/01/2014 20:02

we have a barking spaniel as well although I blame DH as he taught her to bark when she was little.

Our spaniel seems to bark out of boredom, she has her kong in her pen outside when we go out and this helps. I also put chomp and biscuits in it and then freeze it overnight - just makes it last a little longer.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page