My 2 dogs bark non stop when I go out.

Habibiboo

toniq wrote: »

Thank you for help. The approach I'm going to try next week on baby group morning isto leave them in separate rooms, Big dog in lounge and the pup in kitchen.

Big dog will have a safe bone and telly on with all curtains shut, Little pup can't chase big dog so some barking will eliminated by that and being in kitchen nothing for him to cause trouble with, I'll leave him a kong as he is very food focused, I will leave Peppa pig on as they seem to nod off to that.

I will speak to the neighbour which might find it an issue and let her know I'm only out 90 mins twice a week and I am tackling the situation not leaving it to fester.

I have an adaptil plugin for fireworks night so will dig that out too.

Thanks

x

:wave:

Have been reading with interest and sympathy for your situation. It's good that you have a plan for next week and I don't want to be an Eyeore but if this was my two dogs then what you're proposing would make the situation worse ... If the dogs are well bonded with each other, then separating them when you go out will put them under additional stress and will lead to a lot more barking and even howling.

My two have a similar age difference to yours although they're both older and they suffer terribly if parted (ie if one goes to vet or groomers etc). My boy (the younger) howls if he is separated from the older girl because he's never been without her in his life.

Although I understand that you don't want the pup copying the elder dog's behaviour I fear that separating your two won't help them to cope any better. Sticking with training them both to be calm and settled when you go out is probably the better long term solution.

I do wish you luck, it's horrible knowing they're so stressed. x

krlyr

Separation anxiety is a really tough one to deal with, been through it myself with one of mine. It's a problematic issue, because most people cannot avoid leaving the dog at some point, even if it's just an hour, yet that only prolongs the issue. It would be a bit like someone with a gluten intolerance having a bit of toast every morning - the progress made by cutting out gluten for the rest of the day is hindered by that one bite.

It really is about putting as much as you can into the solution - begging and borrowing help from friends and family to avoid leaving the dog (my family were fab and happy for me to bring the dogs with us when practical) as much as possible, trying to change your routine around for a bit (I arranged with work to work from home for a bit), taking the dog with you if possible (I strongly considered asking my boss at the time if I could bring her to work with me!), or using professional services like day care, kennels who take day residents, pet sitters, etc. - you could even consider schemes like 'borrow my doggy' or similar (I'm not keen on them, but might be work) or finding a neighbour willing to dogsit.

I sought advice from a local dog trainer, and from some behaviourists I knew - I think I have a fair bit of knowledge on dog issues, having had various dogs with other behavioural issues and an interest in dog behaviour, but if you don't have this and you're unable to make the above changes longterm, I'd definately seek help from a professional, which could speed up the process and minimise the time you have to change your schedule for. They can recommend calmative products, and in severe cases, recommend prescription medications (which must always be used alongside a behavioural modification plan, not on their own).

haz25a

As others have already said. Ignore them when you leave the house and also when you return. i.e. don't make a fuss of the fact that you are leaving or that you have returned. You could try leaving the radio/tv on as well.

Good Luck.

krlyr

Btw, another tactic that helped, I set up the webcam on my laptop to record the dogs when I left (downloaded a free program called Debut Video Capture). This can help as you can see the dogs' behaviour as you leave - you'll be able to see if it's definately the older one that's more affected, you'll see if it happens the minute you leave, or if there's a timeframe where the dog is OK, and a potential trigger for the behaviour (it could be, for example, that dog is OK when you leave but a neighbour's car starting up or the postman arriving triggers a stressful reaction - in my case, we found out my nan who lives across the road was leaving her house at the same time Kiki was starting to bark, so we believe she was hearing her car and thinking my nan was coming to visit - we'd only just moved over the road so to Kiki the association with my nan's car was my nan arriving at ours to see us!)

It helped with the training - I could connect from my mobile to my webcam via Skype, leave the house and watch Kiki, allowing me to return before she became stressed.

I use it now and then to check up on her behaviour - her separation issues tie in with her thyroid problems, so there's been times I've recorded them and found she's started barking in the day again, prompting a trip to the vet for a thyroid check, and discovered her thyroid levels have dropped below the ideal level.

thorsoak

Whatever you do, please DO NOT RELY UPON CESAR MILAN no reputable trainer in the UK worth his salt authenticates his methods!

First of all, I would ask - do they enjoy each other's company? If so, do you leave them together? If you think that they are not really happy with each other, then I would suggest that you separate them - otherwise, leave them together - each with a treat. But leaving them with a treat each if they are not altogether happy with each other's company, then that will cause a problem.

I would suggest, as a short-term measure, until you can work out what the real problem is, that you get an Adaptil Dap Diffuser (DAP) - see here:- http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/adaptil-dog-appeasing-pheromone-diffuser - it does work quite well.

If it really is a problem, as you have top insurance cover, I would suggest that you ask your vet for a referral to a behavourist who can see both dogs, and suggest coping strategies/training for you. Look for trainers who are APDT accredited.

2. Have they been exercis

sheramber

contrary to what other advise re ignoring the dogs I have set leaving routine.

I tell the dogs they are staying hime and ask them to go their beds, which are in the kitchen at the back of the house so away from most noise.

I then give them a Bonio biscuit and leave.

This has worked for all my dogs over the last 40 odd years. I have not had dog with separation problems.

As soon as I say they are staying home they run to their beds in anticipation of the biscuit. They don't get a Bonio at any other time so it is a special treat.

Obviously you would use whatever was a special treat for your dog.

I used a filled kong for a pup- of sourse the adult dog had to have one too- when the pup was left in a crate but once they were left together I used the biscuit to avoid squabbles.

Watto30

Person_one wrote: »

Not everything he does is terrible, but there's some really bad stuff in there and inexperiencd owners aren't going to be able to tell which is good to follow and which is dangerous.

If you're looking for advice on the telly, Victoria Stilwell is better, and the programme mentioned earlier called 'dogs, their secret lives' is great too and really explains the reasons behind behaviours.

Yes can see where you are coming from and can imagine some inexperienced owners may make unwise decisions based on some of his methods but I guess it all boils down to common sense and what you are prepared to accept and not accept with your own dog(s).

Victoria Stillwell is very good and the dogs, their secret lives may help the OP as I do recall there was an episode that focused on dogs being left home alone and the owners had no clue what was really going on once they had left the house

Watto30

thorsoak wrote: »

Whatever you do, please DO NOT RELY UPON CESAR MILAN no reputable trainer in the UK worth his salt authenticates his methods!

First of all, I would ask - do they enjoy each other's company? If so, do you leave them together? If you think that they are not really happy with each other, then I would suggest that you separate them - otherwise, leave them together - each with a treat. But leaving them with a treat each if they are not altogether happy with each other's company, then that will cause a problem.

I would suggest, as a short-term measure, until you can work out what the real problem is, that you get an Adaptil Dap Diffuser (DAP) - see here:- http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/adaptil-dog-appeasing-pheromone-diffuser - it does work quite well.

If it really is a problem, as you have top insurance cover, I would suggest that you ask your vet for a referral to a behavourist who can see both dogs, and suggest coping strategies/training for you. Look for trainers who are APDT accredited.

2. Have they been exercis

Just for the record I was not advising the OP to rely upon Cesar Milan methods I was merely pointing out that there were a lot of CM videos on youtube, some of which the OP may have found helpful for their own situation.

Secondly, I think you would be quite surprised to find that there are a lot of trainers whose methods are based around some of his principles (chicken and egg scenario whether it was CM or others who started first and dog training has come a long way in the last 20 years).

I am not advocating all of his ways and certainly do not agree with some of his methods but in the grand scheme of things surely it is better to have a dog that has set boundaries, can behave with other dogs, people, children etc and can be walked normally rather than a dog with an owner too scared to take the dog out during the day for fear of it kicking off at another dog etc and walking it at midnight! far too many breeds in this country are chosen by people that really do not have the time to dedicate to the breed itself, for example border collies that are locked in flat all day, with about 10 minutes walk morning and night! I can't help but think CM has a very valid point in firstly excercising the body and then working with the mind and to give dogs a purpose.

Sadly there are far too many dogs in this country are constantly rehomed or abused or locked in crates for hours at a time due to some of the above problems that with the right training could be ironed out from the beginning.

Like I said previously, you take what you need from it and discard anything that does not work for you, I have only ever used positive reinforcement with my dog and would certainly not advocate anti bark or shock collars and some of the other things etc but so far so good and I have a well behaved 5 month pup that knows the boundaries and has a set routine and I am working with her on a daily basis to give her consistent training and excercise for both body and mind.

I had previously recommended the adaptil diffuser, have not used one before but have heard positive things about them and like you have said may help in the short term until the real issue is found and then worked upon.

As another user pointed out, separating them may well make the issue worse, something I had not considered in one of my previous posts. Also I think it may have been Kylr who mentioned about using a web cam or filming the dogs on phone app to see what is they actually do while the OP is out and how long into leaving do the issues start, very good points and may be of massive help

I hope that the OP can find out exactly what the issue is and when it starts and work to find the right method that works to bring a calm state of mind for both of these dogs whilst she is out of the house

toniq

Older dog isn't particular enamoured with pup, so separating will calm him as little pup is too bouncy for his liking, They do play together outside though.

I will use a cam to catch what's going on,and the non fuss approach I will def try.

I have 6 weeks till kids home from uni for xmas so there will be someone at home when I am out.

I will if things aren't calmer after xmas look at a dog therapist, But I'm happy to put time and effort into helping them first myself.

We are being responsible, these are two very loved dogs who are well looked after and totally insured. They are happy boys when I am here just pine when I am not.

When I was pregnant a few years ago the older had to stay at home whilst I attended ante natal appts, I had a severe complication so was often gone 2/3 hrs and he wasn't bad then,My neighbour said after a few mins he would stop and start when he heard my car pull up.


Older dog went to dog training and passed fine and is quite a bright boy, The pup will be neutered soon but generally for a pup he is a good lad,he doesn't chew things up we nipped that in the bud and is quite a loving lad, being a chi he is quite clingy.

Thanks for help, everything is useful.

And to the person that asked yes my dogs are walked, I did state earlier in thread they are walked according to their needs and have constant access to my large garden which they also enjoy.

cheepskate_2

OP having someone home when you are out does not solve the problem, and only extends it, iykwim. This is maybe the time when you should be working on the dogs as you will have some help then

How are the dogs say , if you leave them in the kitchen with the door closed while you pop into the livingroom, or when you go upstairs and they have to stay down stairs?