this is the code for the render ad
Wedding Woes

not a wedding woe, but a puppy woe...

I've never posted here before, but I'm in need of some suggestions.  My husband and I adopted a 12 week old Bichon puppy from a local shelter a couple of weeks ago.  We've been crate training him during the night and when we leave the house.  Overnight, he's been fine.  No accidents and for the most part isn't waking up until morning.  However, if we need to leave the house during the day he freaks out.  We were gone for an hour at the grocery store and he didn't stop barking the entire time (our neighbors informed us).  Any tips on what to do to make him less anxious when we leave?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: not a wedding woe, but a puppy woe...

  • rouhasrouhas member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    My husband is home with him all day.  They play fetch in the yard and they chase each other around the house.  We make sure he gets plenty of excercise during the day. 
  • edited December 2011
    That's kind of a long time for him to be in the crate...but it sounds like he has seperation anxiety. My dog had that too. A few things that helped us:-leave a chewy toy, like a rawhide for him to munch. -make sure you run him around a lot in the morning before you leave for work-do not awknowledge him when you leave, or when you get home. Dont pet him goodbye or anything and Wait about 10 minutes before you even say hello when you get home. - leave a tv or radio on during the day-get him a buddy!
    image
  • jessjo04jessjo04 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Maybe try a product called "comfort zone". It has a calming smell to dogs. My mom used it for her dog who kept chewing the wall to wall carpeting because of separation anxiety and it helped a lot. They make it in a spray or plug in like an air freshener. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13043
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    Getting him a buddy won't help because it is YOU he is attached to and anxious about YOU leaving.See your vet and maybe get him on meds to help while you work on obedience training.Don't let him follow you everywhere and don't shower him with attention 24/7. He needs to learn how to be independent.
    image
  • jessjo04jessjo04 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Min, I read your response as "don't let him follow you into the shower"
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    Jessjo - that isn't bad advice either.
    image
  • edited December 2011
    So did I, Jess.
  • jessjo04jessjo04 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I'll tell ya one thing though, I'd rather shower with a dog than a cat.
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • rouhasrouhas member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for the tips! 
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards