Hi all,

Thought it might be a good idea to record Toby to see exactly what he's doing with regards to his SA when we left the house (besides messing!).  In particular wanted to know if he was biting his tail, as it's bleeding all the time at the tip.  Left him for approximately 40 minutes, and upon returning he had indeed messed - doesn't like to disappoint us :D - so we started watching the video to see exactly what happened.  Was quite surprised to see that Toby did not look at all stressed, only whining for about 15 seconds after we left, then settling down comfortably by the stair gate, appearing to be sleeping.  After about 30 minutes he got up, sighed, walked around and messed.  Surely this can't be separation anxiety?!  I thought dogs were supposed to mess within the first 15 minutes, and he certainly didn't appear stressed at all - unless it doesn't show that well in some dogs   I'm wondering if he's simply messing because he's bored?  Is that likely?

On another note, we've bought him one of those Halti harnesses and leads to help with his pulling on walks, and although it does work to some extreme (although if he wants to pull he most definitely can - ie, chasing after something :rolleyes: )  but we've found that the harness ends up slackened after about 15 minutes use, and all twisted to the side - does this normally happen?  We've read through the instructions but can't see that we're doing anything wrong.

Is he going to the toilet before you leave him?

Sometimes, and sometimes not.  But even if he does go to the toilet before hand he will still mess if he feels the need.  On some days he's fine, and won't mess at all, and on one such occasion we also taped him and he did nothing different, just sat happily (or looked happy anyway) waiting for our return.

I'm wondering if the routine is always the same on his part, and if he always goes to the toilet when he awakes (when you are gone?). Maybe he feels some anxiety on awaking, or there is some anxiety there which comes out as he awakes and realises you are not there..,in which case, just possibly, use of a DAP diffuser may help. This is a plug in which diffuses the comforting scent of hormones from a bitch who has just had puppies; reports vary, but I have found it very helpful for my dog.

Alternatively, inappropriate elimination could be due to: bacterial and viral conditions, obstructions, age related problems, food allergies, activity levels and changes in gastro intestinal mobility. It may therefore be helpful to have a chat with the vet if you haven't already done so, and from there if the vet deems it appropriate, referral to a reputable behaviourist who may be able to unravel the problem...

I would video him some more, just to check, and maybe try a DAP -also check his poos and ensure they are normal for him etc...

hth
Lindsay
X

Thanks for that Lindsay.  His poo's are usually normal, and he does dot them around as is associated with SA - it was just strange how he seemed so calm.  He didn't appear to have been sleeping on the video (did I put that - sorry!) but was laid down.  My OH has had to leave him for an hour today and he didn't do anything.  I wish I could work out what we did differently each time, but I can't see anything different at all - we leave through the same door, ignoring him for ten minutes or so before etc etc etc.  I've heard of this plug in thing, but to be honest it's all costly, and we've so far spent about £60 on toys etc to try to keep him happy when we're gone, and he's ignored every single one of them!  I guess if things don't improve I'll have to try it, as I'd only kick myself if I didn't bother for ages and then it worked as soon as I got it :D :D  I'm sure there must be 'something' that triggers him off, but I just can't put my finger on what it is :(

Hi Keeley,

It may be pure and simply that he is confused about where to toilet. If you can confine him to a smaller area when he is alone he will be far less likely to defecate, we often assume that once dogs become "clean" that they should then always know where to go - unfortunately it can sometimes just be due to luck that they are clean most of the time. If you go back to staying with him when pooing in the garden and praising him on elimination it may do the trick along with confining to a smaller area or using a crate.

Good luck :)
Angela x

I always walk my dogs for over an hour before I have to go out.  That way I know that they will sleep when I'm away and are less likely to be up to mischief.  How long do you walk him for before you go to work?  If it is a short walk then perhaps it's not enough to tire him out and you may need to get up a little bit earlier to take him for a long walk and play before leaving him.  Hope this helps.  It doesn't sound to me as if he has SA, it just seems as if he is doing it for something to do. 

Would you consider crating him?  My dog suffered for SA to a lesser degree and we found she was more confident in her crate for short periods of time.  What really cured it was buying another dog and building a kennel and run in the garden for them!  Not that everyone wants two dogs!  Our vet gave me a procedure to follow to lessen the SA and it took time but seemed to work.  It involved having her in her crate while you were in the room, then while you moved about the house until you progressed to leaving the house etc.  I hope you find something that works soon!