Rescue dog with separation anxiety

[summerbreeze31]

I adopted a rescue dog 6 weeks ago, I'm working on a couple of issues but overall he's the loveliest dog you could imagine. Up until last week I hadn't left him on his own but I needed to go out for an hour so I asked my neighbour if she would sit with him while I went, my dog has met my neighbour several times and will sit with her and be stroked when she comes round, however when I went out last week she said he started barking and howling as soon as I'd gone and didn't stop until her husband came round with their dog and they played together.

I think he lived with another dog in his previous home and he lived with other dogs in his foster home so he has no experience of being alone.

I've started to go out of the door and leave him alone for a few seconds at a time and am hoping to slowly build up the time and sometimes I go out of one door and back in the other so he doesn't associate me leaving through the same door, I leave an old t shirt with my smell on it and he has his comfy bed but I have another appointment next week so will have to leave him again for around an hour.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Separation anxiety is complicated and defo one for the experts. This site is amazing - it’s run by behaviourists so the advice is positive, science based and spot on and one of the advisers specialises in SA. It’s not like a normal Facebook site as Joe Bloggs and Jane from the pub can’t comment - it’s set up like a mini consultation and there are some compulsory super helpful guides to read before you can post anything. They also have a book. I’ve learned loads from there.

I’d start there - read the guides and then you can post for advice if you need to. They also have a specialist SA group. Hope you manage to work through it :)

As PP said, you really need expert behavioural advice for separation anxiety.

For example, flitting in and out for a few seconds can make some dogs even more anxious as it means they're constantly on edge waiting for you to leave - whereas for others it works as a desensitisation technique.

Look for an APBC accredited behaviourist who can come and see your dog in person and help you formulate a plan - potentially alongside medication if necessary. As for your appointment next week, can the neighbour come and take him for a walk? Or see if you can find a dog walker who can come and take him? That way he won't be at home waiting for your return.

Agree this is one for the experts BUT we trained our dog who had separation anxiety (not a rescue and entirely my fault).
I found a guide online (but can’t find it now). I followed the guide religiously. First of all I had to get the dog used to me putting my shoes on/picking keys up/ putting coat on etc. I had to do each of those things several times a day until he was totally desensitised. Basically whenever he relaxed I did one of them.
then, when I could do all those things without him getting anxious I left the house and immediately came back in. Again several times a day until he didn’t get up when I came back in.
i very very gradually extended the time I left and started to video him. If he got anxious I went out for a shorter time period and started again.
it was a total nightmare. I couldn’t leave him on his own during this entire period (probably as long as 3 months). BUT it was totally worth it.
As soon as I could leave him for half an hour I knew we’d cracked it. I can leave him for 5 hours now (easily) even longer if he’s had a good walk and someone comes in to feed him/let him out for a wee.
I can go out for several hours and he doesn’t even get off the sofa or come downstairs to see me. He is the most chilled dog ever.
So it can be done as long as it’s very very slow and gradual.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues/separation-anxiety

it wasn’t this link but v similar…

Thanks for your replies, I'll have a look at those websites and maybe get in touch with a professional for help, I don't want to make things worse by doing it wrong.

ah @summerbreeze31 you are so lovely to have stepped up.

lots of good advice here-good luck-you deserve it

I rehomed a cockapoo 3 years ago

he used to howl if i went into a shop and left him outside with dh

it probably took 2 years but now he will stay with my sister, my adult children and my dh

i did a mixture of short stays and hard leaves ( you are with my sister for the day so lump it)

he stays happily at home alone for short periods (whist we go to dinner)

he is now just about equally attached to dh and me

Book called "Be Right Back" has lots of useful stuff.