Hello

I just wondered if anyone has had any experience with the above and if/how you managed to overcome the problem.

I have had my new dog (a 3 yr old rescue pointer x) for 4 days, and from day 1 have noticed her beginning to show signs of developing this. I am going to speak to a dog trainer tomorrow and have been carrying out the usual atempts to combat the situation - leaving the room for periods of time, shutting doors behind me,.. She whines, begins to bark and scratches the door.

I want to nip this in the bud before it gets worse. I would really appreciate any advice or help. Apart from this she is wonderful in every other way. I understand she needs time to settle in and overcome her trauma, but don't want to start treating her in a way that will cause problems in the future.

Many thanks
R8ch
r8ch123@hotmail.com

Hi,

Did the rescue centre advise of any seperation problems in the last home or while at the kennels? Do you know much about her history?

There are various things you can try, here are a few ideas:-

Bach Flower remedy - Rescue Remedy.
DAP diffuser.
Stuffed and frozen kong.
Be very calm when leaving and very calm when coming home.
Leave her for a couple of seconds with a toy and come back in and praise her before they make a noise.
Leave the radio on.
Give a cardboard box with about 3 smaller boxes inside with some treats in the middle, so he/she can take their frustration out on that.
Distance yourself a bit from her and get other family members to feed her and give her more attention.
Wear a jumper for a week (nice and smelly :) ) and give it to her as a comfort blanket along with the stuffed kong to keep her occupied.

This problem often takes a lot of time and patience to sort out, but be patient and work with your trainer and you will get there in the end. :)

manda
x

Thanks Manda

Theres some good ideas in that list!! Some I am doing but the others are worth a shot. I like the jumper idea (maybe a tee - shirt that I have slept in would do)
When she is at her worst, I can't even distract her with food or her favourite toy (her kong!).

As far as her history, all I know is that she arrived at the centre as a stray and was rehomed a few months later. This was about April last year. After illness prevented the new owners from keeping her, she was returned in July 2003. They used to leave her for around 6 hours - don't know how often or how she got on, but they did have her over a year, and they said she was sometimes house trained (not surprised if they left her for long periods! - it may have been longer).

There was no report that there was any other problems when left alone.They never let her off the lead (surprising as she really pulled when she first came, but after a couple of days she has come on leaps and bounds) poor thing. They also said she 'snatched' at people (only with a ball - easily solved) and that she was excitable with other dogs (she has now met 4 different dogs incl. 4 month old lab and was as good as gold).

May I be correct in thinking that this is a problem that has been brought on by yet another stay at the rescue centre?
I am also assuming that this anxiety is why her recall off the lead is so good! Oh well I have to laugh or I will cry.

She is really is a super little dog - loves the beach and to swim. If we can get this sorted then she'll be a wonderful companion. We are going to try as hard as we can!

Thanks
R8ch
r8ch123@hotmail.com