My family's two terrier type dogs have a real problem when I leave them. The situation is slightly unusual in that I don't live with them anymore, so I feel this is probably part of the problem. At the training classes that I help with, I would like them to wait quietly on a blanket or in their crate whilst I am helping until it is their turn to take part. Is this a lot to ask? Apparently so. Both dogs kick up a fantastic fuss whether I leave them together or seperately. The noise is impressive to say the least! I have tried leaving them with stuffed kongs and other chews which they would normally  relish, but no joy whatsoever. They are simply determined to get back to me. Is there any solution does anyone think, or do I just have to resign myself to leaving them at home instead of taking them to training? The only other thing I could do is leave them in the car, but it is for an hour at a time and I don't think that is quite fair. Any thoughts would be gratefully received!

When I have more than one dog I leave them in the car; that is why I have dog cages.  I certainly would not expect any of my dogs to wait in the class, crated or not, whilst i trained other people! 

I doubt it is separation anxiety they just want to join in!

But they make a huge racket out in the car - Toby howls and during quiet spells in class can be heard!! It is the same if I leave them anywhere, outside shops, at my home etc. I know what you mean about them wanting to join in, but it really is quite a panicky state they get in. The rest of the family don't seem to get this problem so much, although Toby does howl when left in the car in the dark. Lucy isn't so bad although i guess it can't be good for her hearing!

Have you tried putting one in the cage while training and putting a cover over the cage, this sometimes helps as they can't get excited by seeing what is going on.
Sandra

Hi Gemma

I'm not sure what your history is with your dogs, but it may be that they have learnt that if they whine or bark, you do without fail at some stage, either go back to them or pay them attention in some way :)

It may however be that, as you say they aren't with you any more, they don't like you leaving them at all but  i tend to agree with tohme, just on the basis of what you have said in your mail. True separation anxiety often means that you can't even go to the loo without them getting upset...and they would probably vbe destructive in the car, or lose control of their bowels, or wee :(

I agree with Sandra's suggestion, it is worth trying....if you really feel it is separation anxiety, it may be worth getting in a trainer or behaviourist to look at the situation and help you, esp. as you have 2 dogs to deal with.

Good luck with it,
LIndsay

Thanks Sandra - we did try this but no effect unfortunately. I think the ultimate problem is me not being there all the time - quite often when I've just walked them Lucy will poo by the front door even though she's just been out. She will also start doing this first thing in the morning after Dad has let them both out, if she hasn't seen me in a few days. It's difficult but I don't think there is a solution to this. I once ignored their barking for several hours, but all that happened was that they grew hoarse! Leaving them in the car may be the only answer but I don't like to think of them being miserable :(

Hi Gemma
I do feel sorry for you and know how you feel, I have a Bichon who is exactly the same. She was given to me because she kept trying to escape from her last owners, not because they were mean to her but they never took her out or anything so she was just bored.

She HATES me leaving her, even if it's  just for an hour or 2, if someone is at home with her she just cries by the front door until I come home and barks and nips me when I come in. I do ignore her though as I have been told that fussing them makes it worse.

It is hard because it has come to the stage where I can't leave her much, I went out Saturday night and my poor Mum had to try and reassure her until I came home she just wont settle just wanders about all night.

Bless her, I think she is so scared of me leaving her as I looked after her once when her old owners still had her and they went on hols for 2 weeks and she bonded to me like nobodys business and of course then I had to leave when they returned.

She's so sweet though, and I have to admit having her love me like she does is very touching!!

I hope you solve the problem with your 2, I know I haven't given you any advise!!

Good Luck

Jo
x

Thanks Jo - I know what you mean, it is kind of touching that they don't like to be left, even if it is a bit of a pain! :)

THis is going to sound harsh however I do NOT think it is touching that dogs are making such a fuss in your absence.  It is up to us to put the work in to make sure that dogs grow up into competent and confident adults; a dog that cannot be left anywhere without a great deal of anxiety, noise, destruction etc is always going to be under an unacceptable level of stress. It is our responsibility to "alone train" our dogs from Day 1 so that they are comfortable without our presence and do not develop true separation anxiety which is crippling for both dog and owner. 

Dogs that cannot be left alone for any length of time are not happy ones.  Please make the effort to ensure that your dogs can cope without company.

Hi Tohme
I understand what you are saying but like I explained I didn't have Jasmin from the start so I don't know why she is like it. I don't leave her that much anyway and believe me if I could make her happier when I'm not with her I would.

What do you suggest??????

Thanks

Jo

I don't think you sound harsh saying that it is not touching that my dogs are make a fuss in my abscence. What I do think is harsh is suggesting that I have not gone to some lengths to prevent and cure it. My dogs are happy ones, as many well informed people will testify. They are not perfect, but I don't really expect them to be as long as they always give me their best. I don't know what kind of dogs you have, but I would also question if you have ever owned terrier types before giving such a sweeping statement. Our retrievers in the past never had this problem, and I do believe that the nature of each breed goes some way to explaining their behaviour. I'm sorry if I have offended you, but I am quite upset by your comments.

Hi Gemma,

Could you explain a little more about your dogs and your "history" with them?  Did they used to be your puppies and then had to go and live with your parents?

Thanks, it may help shed some light on the situation :)

Lindsay

Hi Lindsay,

I lived at home up until 2 years ago. The dogs are coming up to their fourth birthday in June. I have been a trainee vet nurse, and as such understand and champion puppy socialisation classes as dog behaviour is my favourite topic. Initally we only had the one puppy at 6wks old, Toby. He started at socialisation classes (with my mum & me) once he had completed his vaccination program, and was well socialised with people and other dogs. He is a smaller dog than his sister and is less confrontational, not quite shy but not such a big character out and about on his own. Lucy came to us at 18wks old having been given back to the rescue centre that I knew through work. Ange asked if we would be interested in meeting Lucy and seeing if she would fit into our household (we had been considering another dog as Toby was left alone for several hours during the day, and we thought he could do with the company). So Lucy came into our lives - she had been returned to the rescue centre because she had been biting the grandchildren, who sounded like they had been quite rough with her. She hadn't been socialised, or let off the lead very much and was very very bouncy!
I enrolled her in puppy classes and we didn't get on very well because she did not like other dogs. If they rushed her she growled and bared her teeth in warning (although she has never bitten anyone). I, in particular spent a lot of time getting over this problem, and others with her recall, housetraining and general behaviour. Perfect, she ain't :), but she is a pretty good dog when all is said and done. I have better control over her than Toby who behaves better for my mum. They are both spoilt without a shadow of a doubt at home since I have left. Much against my wishes they are allowed onto the furniture, are given attention when they request it and until recently were allowed anywhere in the car. They do not get away with a lot when they are with me or visit my home. Lucy seems to respect me, but I think Toby knows that once home he can do pretty much what he likes, so humours me and my training. So that is that - sorry to have gone on for so long. Because of the fact they don't live with me and they get mixed messages from me and the rest of the family, this problem is probably unresolvable. However I would like to stress that they are generally well-behaved, happy dogs who do not normally exhibit signs of stress or unhappiness. And above all they are very well loved - as if I needed to say ; )

Gemma

Hi Gemma
I agree with what you say about certain breeds being more clingy, we have 2 BC's and they are happy being left, Bichons, however are known for being clingy to one person.

Jasmin to, is a very happy dog and I'd love to make her happy when I leave her but I don't know how 2.

People on here are 2 quick to judge sometimes

x

I have to agree about certain breeds, we've always had terriers that couldn't give a stuff as long as they had toys and a bed.
But my girl (G.Dane) hates being alone! One contributing factor in our family is i'm always home, so when i did go out which is rare she used to get stressed out. It's as if she thrives for human company and toys are no substitute.
We also planned the time to get a pup near to school holidays so then when September came the dog didn't know what hit it, it seemed a good idea but maybe it wasn't because she came into an enviroment that wasn't really our 'normal' day to day living arrangments.

I cannot find anywhere in my post where I have suggested that you have NOT gone to some lengths to prevent and cure it!  My statement was sweeping but true; dogs must be trained to become competent at being alone.

Whether or not I have owned terrier types or any other for that matter is irrelevant in this context; dogs of all types need to learn to be alone and terriers are feisty independent little beasts not generally at the top of the list for separation anxiety! :D

It is always difficult trying to suggest things over the net as we do not see the dogs or your interraction; what may be interpreted as separation anxiety by some may be nothing of the sort.  Y

Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, boredom, habit, attention seeking and frustration.  The first thing that came into my mind when you described what your dogs do in class was frustration, we use this to teach our dogs to bark on purpose if we want them to speak on command :D

Will they not be silent if you cover them up like a budgie in the car?

You have not offended me in the least and you should not be upset by my response.  You have inferred things from my post that I never implied! Please remember that when "you" is used in an e-mail it does not necessarily apply to "you the person individually" but is less awkward than using "one" (like the queen) :D

I think when I posted separation anxiety as the subject, it may have been misleading. In many ways they both just look really cross whilst left, and complain at the top of their voices. This is what I have come to think of as typical terrier behaviour, and most terriers I know are the same. I can't think of many that won't protest when left. Anxiety is probably the wrong word.
Thanks everyone for your comments - unfortunately I haven't come to a resolution of my problem but we will keep at it!