Rescue greyhound & separation

Warmroomed · 2024-10-01T17:50:39+00:00

I've adopted a lovely female greyhound, only had her a week! I'm letting her down because I don't know how to handle her separation anxiety. I've had to cancel a hair appointment, meeting a friend for lunch, as I feel I cannot leave the house for 1-2 hours. She cries/barks/howls when I'm out of sight, even for a shower. Night time I've had to sleep downstairs with her. The rescue said she was fine by herself overnight and for 4 hours, but I think maybe they're different once they're in a new home. What can I do? The rescue said to just leave her to self settle but she just gets increasingly unhappy.

ImNunTheWiser · 01/10/2024 18:57

Read up on the Rule of 3x3x3.
And don’t panic, it’s only a week, she’s probably very confused about being in a new home. It gets better. We’ve had so many rescue dogs (currently on week nine of our new Golden Retriever), I usually clear my diary for the first month tbh and go with the flow, whatever the dog needs. I let my current dog follow me everywhere for the first week until he felt comfortable staying in one room if I left it. If after that she’s still displaying separation anxiety maybe then you can start to work on it. Is there any reason why she can’t be with you upstairs at night?

spiderlight · 01/10/2024 19:08

Agreed on 3x3x3, and look up Julie Naismith's advice as well - her book is excellent. Give her more time to settle before you panic.

abracadabra1980 · 01/10/2024 19:10

It's too soon to leave her. It takes a long time for a rescue dog to decompress its stress and to become familiar with the house, people and household routines, not to mention the new smells. She's bound to be anxious. Please try and give her your full attention, leaving the room only for a few seconds at first, so she knows you're coming back, the build to more seconds, then to minutes, etc.. good luck.

RuthW · 01/10/2024 19:19

This is common in greys. Only thing that solved our prob was getting him a sister. There was no probs then.

Original poster

Warmroomed · 01/10/2024 20:59

ImNunTheWiser · 01/10/2024 18:57

Read up on the Rule of 3x3x3.
And don’t panic, it’s only a week, she’s probably very confused about being in a new home. It gets better. We’ve had so many rescue dogs (currently on week nine of our new Golden Retriever), I usually clear my diary for the first month tbh and go with the flow, whatever the dog needs. I let my current dog follow me everywhere for the first week until he felt comfortable staying in one room if I left it. If after that she’s still displaying separation anxiety maybe then you can start to work on it. Is there any reason why she can’t be with you upstairs at night?

The rescue said she mustn't be allowed upstairs on the advice of their vet, after a racing injury 😞 occasional steps if out and about are ok but she must avoid them, it's not the going up but the going down apparently.

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Original poster

Warmroomed · 01/10/2024 21:00

abracadabra1980 · 01/10/2024 19:10

It's too soon to leave her. It takes a long time for a rescue dog to decompress its stress and to become familiar with the house, people and household routines, not to mention the new smells. She's bound to be anxious. Please try and give her your full attention, leaving the room only for a few seconds at first, so she knows you're coming back, the build to more seconds, then to minutes, etc.. good luck.

Thank you.

I hope I'm good enough to help her

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Original poster

Warmroomed · 01/10/2024 21:01

spiderlight · 01/10/2024 19:08

Agreed on 3x3x3, and look up Julie Naismith's advice as well - her book is excellent. Give her more time to settle before you panic.

It's horrible listening to her so upset when I'm upstairs. I try and be quick when showering etc

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Original poster

Warmroomed · 01/10/2024 21:01

RuthW · 01/10/2024 19:19

This is common in greys. Only thing that solved our prob was getting him a sister. There was no probs then.

I can understand it, they're so used to company

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ANP2020 · 01/10/2024 22:42

Get someone to sit with her when you go out? There’s loads of pet sitters that will come to your house! We have two we regularly use. When our pup was younger we got ours to come when we went out for a family meal even. Now we don’t need them to stay the whole time but on Saturday we’re out out so got them coming to spend the evening with him. Really helps his separation anxiety.

it’s really hard if he can’t come upstairs, as they often like to follow. Mine sits literally outside the shower and waits. Could you try a frozen Kong or lick Matt we freeze yoghurt and fruit on ours so they last longer. Then it might buy you enough time to shower.

meeting friends - could you do dog friendly pub/ restaurant or even Starbucks is dog friendly.or if not have them at yours just while she settles in.

not sure about the sleeping unless you can carry her down in the morning.

Wolfiefan · 01/10/2024 22:48

Look up FB group dog training advice and support. If she’s not happy to be left at the moment then you can’t leave her. (DH used to have to sit with pup while I showered!) Every time she gets upset just reinforces the idea that being alone is scary.

Solent123 · 01/10/2024 22:51

Can you rearrange things to take her with you for now? dog friendly pub for lunch and ask your hairdresser could they kindly allow her to accompany you on this visit as she's an emotional support dog :-)

coffeesaveslives · 02/10/2024 07:07

You haven't had her long enough for her to feel safe alone in your house - a week is still very, very early in rescue terms ☺️

Try not to worry just yet, just give her time to settle and accept that your plans will have to come second for a while until she's settled in.

Original poster

Warmroomed · 03/10/2024 15:10

I've read a few guides on the FB group and been 'flittering'

I can now be in another room for 10 mins before she starts whimpering

She fell asleep after a good sniffy walk and didn't notice I was out the room for 40 mins yesterday but I think that's because she didn't notice

Is that a good sign?

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coffeesaveslives · 03/10/2024 15:24

A very good sign!

My dog is only happy being left once he's had a good walk and some stimulation - it could be that she falls into the same category?

Pedestriancrossing · 03/10/2024 18:10

Aww that is a good sign. Our rescue greyhound took a few weeks to settle in, he is now (5 years later) so chilled out as to be almost horizontal. We found that low level background noise helped, I think they are used to noise in kennels and can find quiet stressful. It's lovely to see them gradually relax and trust you, and totally worth the wait!

Original poster

Warmroomed · 04/10/2024 06:50

coffeesaveslives · 03/10/2024 15:24

A very good sign!

My dog is only happy being left once he's had a good walk and some stimulation - it could be that she falls into the same category?

Thank you so much for replies and help

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refreshingseahorse · 04/10/2024 06:58

Are there any sighthound walks near you? I found the one near us via Facebook, all the noodle dogs really enjoy meeting up.

We leave a YouTube channel called ' doggy day care ' on when going out, it seems to help.