Public Forum Proceed to Auspet's New Discussion Forum | Pet Directory | Classifieds | Home | LinkXchange


Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page

  Auspet - Message Boards
  Dogs - all types
  new puppy that howls when we leave

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   new puppy that howls when we leave
jenmckeel
New Member

Posts: 2
From:Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-28-2003 07:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jenmckeel     Edit/Delete Message
Hi! I am hoping everyone can give us a little advice on how to handle our new puppy. My husband and I both work, and when we leave in the morning or after coming home for lunch to spend some time with him, he howls and screams. We have gotten conflicting reports as to how long it goes on - one neighbor said five minutes while another said one hour. This is especially troubling because we live in a loft community, so we have other units beside us and below us. I have read online about practicing leaving so that he gets acclimated to us being gone, but I am not sure how that is done. I don't want it to look (to the puppy) that we are rewarding his whining. Any advice or resources that you could direct us to on this subject would be appreciated. Thank you!

IP: Logged

nern

Moderator

Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 07-28-2003 08:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nern     Edit/Delete Message
Here is a link that I think you may find helpful: http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/anxiety.html

IP: Logged

honeybear
Member

Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-29-2003 08:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
I had this same problem with my lab, I had no idea he howled and cried when we left, We started getting notices from the police dept. I was this cant be my dog, he never barks when we are home. Tis went on for 2 years and I didnt even know aabut it I confirmed it with my next door neighbors. We solved it by putting in a dog door. I know there are other solutions out there.
Good luck
honeybear

IP: Logged

Maisey
Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 07-29-2003 10:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
How old is the puppy? It is common for puppies to cry when left alone, all three of mine did it as puppies, they no longer do it. I have never let them out of their crate while they were whining or barking. I don't let them out immediately when I come home, I wait a few minutes, put my purse away, groceries etc., I NEVER let them out if they are whining or barking or scratching at the door. They know (have learned) that they have to sit nicely and quietly before I open that door. My seven month old puppy is the best at this amazingly enough, however we are still working on keeping it together once the door is open! You are going to have to show and teach your puppy that you WILL BE BACK and the proper way to behave. You can do this by putting him in his crate while you are home, leave him for a bit and come back, practicing good manners. Start out with a very short period of time and work your way into longer periods. Reward big time for small accomplishments. Remember he /she is a baby, don't expect too much, don't punish...REWARD and PRAISE good behavior. Good luck and keep us updated as to how the puppy is doing. Smiles, Maisey

IP: Logged

Jas

Moderator

Posts: 536
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-29-2003 10:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jas     Edit/Delete Message
I agree with Maisey on this. Try also leaving a radio or tv on for your pup while you are gone.

How old is the pup? What is the max length of time you and your husband are away? do you exercise him well in the am before you leave? If he is tired he is more likely to sleep. Have you considered hiring a dog walker or doggie daycare a couple times a week for him? This type of stimulation is wonderful for a sharp mind.

Also are you crate training him? Get him used to being in the crate for short time periods when someone IS home too, that way come work days going into the crate is not so tramatic and he might not be so anxious.

good luck with your pup

Jas

IP: Logged

RottyMommy

Moderator

Posts: 480
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-31-2003 04:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
This sounds like separation anxiety. However with puppies this is common and easily fixable. First off is your dog crated? If so good. Start by leaving either a tv or radio on while you are gone. Second start doing things that you normally do when you leave but dont leave, ie put your shoes on, walk around the house wrattling your keys, things you do before you leave do without leaving. Ignore the dog 10 minutes before you leave and for 10 minutes after you come home. Never make leaving or coming home a big deal. When you come home hang your coat up, get a drink, put your keys away, sit down on the couch, then give your dog attention. Leave the house and come back in when the dog starts acting up. Then you will know what time period you have. It is usually with in the first 30 minutes. So lets say your dog starts acting up at 10 minutes. Leave your house for 5 then come back in. Work up the minutes. When your dog starts acting up dont come in until you get a break. Dont expect it to stop for a long period of time. But the second the dog stops thats when you come in. Dont up the time period until the dog is ok where it is at. Work up the minutes then to hours. Work up to 2 hours. Most dogs once they reach 2 hours they are ok for longer periods of time. Here are a couple links on separation anxiety
http://www.doggiedoor.com/sepanx.shtml
http://www.hsus.org/ace/15891

Hope this helps

IP: Logged

jenmckeel
New Member

Posts: 2
From:Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-02-2003 05:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jenmckeel     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks for all the responses. We are going to work on this based upon all of your suggestions. The puppy is by himself for at most about 3.5 hours during the day. My husband and I have staggered schedules, so as long as one of us comes home for lunch, he isn't by himself for an unreasonable amount of time. The puppy is confined during the day. He isn't exactly crated - he has a slightly larger area gated off so that he can play and also see most of our loft. However, when in this area when we are home he also whines, so I know that we need to work on this first. Thanks for all of your help!

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Auspet.com


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45c
















© 1999-2017 AusPet.com