Can anybody give me some advise ? I have 2 Am Cocker Spaniels and have just rescued an 8 month old Saluki and we do not know his past history. His temperment is excellent to date and we only have a problem with seperation anxiety. He whines paces and 'dribbles' an awful lot even if only left for a few minutes. We prefer to shut our dogs in the kitchen/dining room when out and have a gate on the door to keep them in. When he escapes and stays in the hall or lounge he is quiet when we return. The problem with this is he is a bit of a chewer and we do not really want to give him free reign around the house.

You ideas are welcomed

Thanks

HI there

Am i reading this correctly, that he is still away from you in the hall but seems more relaxed? If so he mayhave a problem with the kitchen - noises from washing machine or been scared in there.....just an idea.

Re the chewing, protect furniture etc with Vicks, Bitter Apple spray or oil of cloves rubbed on and provide stuffed Kongs etc for him to chew, (you are probably doing this already).

Re. the anxiety, if he is so bad he dribbles only after a few minutes it maybe good to get a behaviourist in who has experience of this and who can advise on a tailored programme to suit your home, life and circumstances.

There is a booklet available on the problem from Peter Neville's website, at www.pets.f9.co.uk which you may find helpful :)

lLindsay

Hiya,

Sounds just like my german pointer -we have a gate between our breakfast room and HSL so he has access to the kitchen for food/water etc and back door, he has his bed in the breakfast room. He was Ok for short periods with the gate closed if we were at home. If he was aware we were out (we could not leave him for more than 15-20 mins) without devestation when we returned; he chewed or scratched at the gate, the doors, and skirting boards, and eventually managed to eat chair legs plus the underlay and part of HSL carpet!!!. He is now nearly one, so one day we left the gate open (closed all other doors) so he had access to HSL plus 3rd spare bedroom that overlooks park/road and this seemed to settle him. He will occassionally jump on the bed (old blanket on bed to curl up) or sit on a chair and look out of the window. We can now leave him for 2-no longer than 3 hrs and he has been as good as gold; nothing chewed etc but leaving a kong filled with treats or cream cheese or Flynn loves a pigs ear(disgusting i know) but he loves them; quite a distraction!!!.
Good luck