Anxious dog that can't be left on own help please?

[FabBabs]

So for the last few years me and DP have been walking our elderly neighbours dog for her. She bought him for a bit of company and we was more than happy to walk him, watch him when she had hospital appointments ect. Which ment the dog has never been left alone, unfortunately our neighbour has passed away and we have taken the dog in full time.

Whenever we try going out without him he gets so anxious and when we lock up her throwing himself at the door crying which means I'm taking the dog literally everywhere i can with me or we are planning our days around him so someone can be home for him .

Does any one have any idea how we make him more confident on his own? I believe he's some sort of mini poodle mix around 6 years old? Thank you.

Maybe try a covered crate so he has somewhere to hide and feel secure and leave the radio on for him. Build up slowly, 10 minutes here and there and when you return don’t make a fuss just ignore the dog. You sound like a lovely person taking him in but he might need to go to another person who can be with him all the time if this is so ingrained In him.

Gradual is best. There are lots of resources on YouTube and Google if you search for advice about separation anxiety, so definitely do some research and check things out.

Our adopted dog struggled with being left alone when we first got him, too. Now he can literally be left for 4+ hours, or up to 6hrs at night. He just sleeps when we're out.

Most important things are -

• Make sure he has a nice area to settle when you're out. Somewhere away from noises. As the PP said - covered crate (even with door open), or a pen with blankets around the sides. My dog has a pen with a sheet around the side and a blanket over the top, so it makes a little tent for him. He loves it in there and runs in when I ask him if he's ready for bed.

• Try leaving the TV on for him, or radio/music, etc.

• When you leave, keep it really chill. Don't make a fuss. Give him something safe, like a licki mat or appropriate chew, then say "be right back" and go. When you get back, do other things for a few minutes before you greet him. When you do greet him, just a simple "hi baby" (or whatever), little pet, and go about your business. You don't have to be cold towards him. Just not over the top "OMG I MISSED YOU HIIIIII".

When you're home, start with literally just a minute or less. Once he's able to do that without panicking, work up gradually.

If you can afford a dog walker or day care, this could be an option too. But you should be able to help him with patience and time.

Also, don't feel guilty getting him used to being alone. It would be a lot better for him and his confidence if he can learn that you will come back!

Also, not sure how long you've had him, but our dog took a good few months to fully settle into our household. So if his previous owner's passing was quite recent, he might also just need more time.

Separation anxiety is often a lifetime problem, sadly.

Yes, there is training that can help but you'll probably never have a dog who is happy to be left for long periods of time.

I would recommend seeing if a dog walker or sitter (or daycare) can help for now while you work on her anxiety as you really need to build up by leaving her for 30 seconds at a time - it can take weeks/months to get them to a point where they can be left for an hour or two unfortunately.

Mine had awful separation anxiety as a puppy - he's almost four now and can be left around 1-2 hours but he really doesn't like it much.

Crate training, yucalm tablets, adaptil plug in, puzzle toys, white noise and a licki mat.
Our dog used to chew herself til she bled when left alone (rescue). Now she just sleeps when we go out. We have a camera so we can check on her while we're out to reassure us

Radio on, cbd oil can help (literally one drop onto the gums twice a day) and build up to it slowly 🐶