Housebound due to dog's separation/isolation anxiety

bmthmark

gettingready wrote: »

I live by myself now so not on option I am afraid.

Also had Zara on a half day care too - a girl would pick her up before I went for work and drop her off anytime in the afternoon before I got back. Again, Zara was fine and did not bark at all being in empty flat till I got back home from work.

Clearly the problem is ME

It sounds like she just loves your company and just wants to be with you all the time. She is barking as she thinks you will hear and go to her.
Its a tricky one, but I think you will need to start at the beginning again and try and teach her that its not bad that she is left on her own (as Person_one mentioned previously).

I know how you are feeling as I had the same issue on a smaller scale to you. I know you are probably constantly listening when you leave and you are probably worried what the neigbours think. But seriously don't worry you are clearly trying your best to sort this.
I also believe this is a common issue.

I will probably get shouted at for mentioning this but I will anyway:D (ignore me if I sound mad)
A friend of mine had very similar issues as you are experiencing, he probably had worse as the dog was causing damage. In the end he got himself another dog and the problem was sorted. Both dogs kept each other company.
You are probably thinking no way, as this is what I thought. But it did resolve my friends issue.
Personally I could not financially afford another dog or my place is not big enough,

bmthmark

gettingready wrote: »

Exercise 1 - at 15:20 walked her to the back room. told her to go to bed, gave her a small treat and walked out shutting the door after me. Then opened/shut the front door. Tiptoed to the living room. Waiting now. Quiet so far. No barking and she is not trying to open the door (still no idea how she managed to open before as door opens inwards)Will give it till 15:30 and go get her. But if she starts barking before - not idea what to do.

That's a great start. Personally I would go back in asap and praise her. I would then do this a few times. Then extend the time. Good luck :T

gettingready

15:30 so the 10 min is up. Going to open and shut front door and go and get her.

Could hear her walking around but did not start barking yet so went to get her and gave her a small treat for being a good girl.

The 10 min seems to be her limit for staying quietly alone.

Another dog - nope, I am afraid not an option at all.

Will be doing this few times per day and increase the time and see how this goes. The back bedroom is at the end of an L shaped hallway. She often goes there all by herself for a nap and this would be my preferred place to leave her alone as away from the front door.

She was not on her bed, she was on the other side of the door and when I opened it she really wanted to get out so told her to go back to bed and when she lied down gave her a treat and only then allowed her to leave the room and come out with me.

annandale

I agree that your dog will sense that you are stressed. That doesn't mean you are the problem.

But if your dog has been like this all her life and she's 11 now I think you are going to have to get outside help to help her.

Being trapped in your own home really isn't healthy.

Is there an equivalent of feliway for dogs.

Apparently you can use rescue remedies on animals as well.

annandale

Understand that this situation is really difficult for you, but any suggestions people have put to you have been met with a no.

bmthmark

gettingready wrote: »

15:30 so the 10 min is up. Going to open and shut front door and go and get her.

Could hear her walking around but did not start barking yet so went to get her and gave her a small treat for being a good girl.

The 10 min seems to be her limit for staying quietly alone.

Another dog - nope, I am afraid not an option at all.

Will be doing this few times per day and increase the time and see how this goes. The back bedroom is at the end of an L shaped hallway. She often goes there all by herself for a nap and this would be my preferred place to leave her alone as away from the front door.

She was not on her bed, she was on the other side of the door and when I opened it she really wanted to get out so told her to go back to bed and when she lied down gave her a treat and only then allowed her to leave the room and come out with me.

I would say that is great progress already. Keep it going, i'm sure she will be fine. I have my fingers crossed for you.
Good luck

Person_one

gettingready wrote: »

Clearly the problem is ME

That means the solution is also you!

Good work so far, keep it up, don't do it so often that it stresses you both out though. A few times a day is fine, not every hour or two.

gettingready

annandale wrote: »

Understand that this situation is really difficult for you, but any suggestions people have put to you have been met with a no.

It is not like that, all I said was that I have tried all that already and nothing worked.

gettingready

Person_one wrote: »

That means the solution is also you!

Good work so far, keep it up, don't do it so often that it stresses you both out though. A few times a day is fine, not every hour or two.

Good point, turning negative into positive. Thanks for that.

Person_one

gettingready wrote: »

Good point, turning negative into positive. Thanks for that.

A lot of us have had dogs with stubborn behavioural issues. One of my current rescues was absolutely shocking for trying to 'guard' me when I first got him.

It was incredibly frustrating because a lot of the common techniques just didn't seem to work. I just had to stick with one for long enough rather than keep trying different things, and it took a few weeks of being consistent and vigilant and not being able to fully relax at all, but it did work, we don't have that problem anymore.

It'll be fine, and its fine to be tearing your hair out with it too, perfectly natural!