My 16 week old puppy has terrible seperation Anxiety, I have read all the advice about building up the time he is left etc but what happens when I have only built his time upto say 2 minutes and then have to go out and leave him for an hour will I set him back to the begining again?

Also he sleep in a crate in our bedroom do you think this is adding to his problem of being on his own?

I have tried leaving him in his crate but he always poos when left and he gets covered in it?

I have started by trying to stop him from following me around everywhere.

Wish me luck! :-)

As he is only a pup buy a female kitten as this works wonders to calm them.They will grow up together then.

We already have two cats, one of which he has bonded very well with and we try and lock the cat in with the dog when we go out, but he still acts the same when we go out, but thanks for the suggestion.

We have two dogs one younger and he still suffered badly even tho our girl was with him, but it wasnt her that was leaving him was it.

It will take time, make sure you take him out to relieve himself before you leave to reduce the mess you come home to.
I find it goes hand in hand with house training and they soon learn to hold on, have you tried him with stuffed kongs?
Try reducing his morning meal and stuffing the remainder into a kong, It takes my large breeds on average 40 mins to finish a kong so i imagine it would take your dog longer.

Hi
We had the whinging and the whining from our 11 week Puli pup, he used to wail when left, we have found that if we take him out at midnight, for a decent puppy stroll,giving him enough time to do his 'business', then when we crate him, we give him a shot glass full of water to drink, and leave big brother LIVE on , he soon settles down.
The pup will make 2 different cries,one for toilet,other for attention, once you learn that they mean different things,it gets easier.
We are now using a spray commander and it has done wonders for him, he walks  beautifully on the lead, doesnt bite,taught 'sit' , and when we leave him to sleep, if he gets yappy, then one spray and positive reinforcement lets us all have a dry and sleep rich night

We have no problems at night, he sleeps right through, it's when we leave the house that he panics.

Hi
Does he have suitable distractions to play with, we find that a Kong will keep him amused for ages, as will a treat ball?
Have you tried taking him in the car, and leaving him? When we go shopping, we leave him, then I scoot back and sneek peak through the rear window, if he is sleeping then we go, if noisy, i comfort and repeat
This method might help with the feeling of abandonment.

I am having the same problem with our Bichon.  I only have to leave him for 20 minutes in the morning and he wees and poos in the kitchen (although he has been in the garden before I go out) He is fine the rest of the time but just hates to be left alone and he is nearly 16 months old now.

He isn't too bad in the car, as I leave him in the boot(hatchback) with the radio on and i don't think he realises we have got out because he can't see.The problem at the moment is it's just too hot to leave him in the car.

Anna that's exactly my problem aswell, has he always been like this and does he scream and yelp aswell?

He seems oblivious to toys or treats just goes into a blind panic until we get back.

Hi Caz,

No he has only been doing this a few months.  He wasn't too bad when he was a puppy, although we didn't leave him for long periods.  He used to be happy in the kitchen at night as well (well I suppose happy isn't the word, but he accepted it no problem) but he started crying when I put him to bed and would scratch and rattle the dog gate frantically.  In the end after many sleepless nights I gave in and let him sleep in my 13yr old daughters bedroom and he is no problem at nights now.  He isn't really a clingy sort of dog normally and isn't one of those dogs that like to be cuddled and on your knee all the time, he is quite happy with his own space as long as we are in the house with him so I don't really know what the answer is I'm afraid.  I have just accepted it and just clean the mess up without saying anything to him.

What breed is he?

That sounds just like Oscar, he isn't the sort to want to be fussed or cuddled all the time he never demands any attention and is happy as long as we are around.

Oscar is a Shih Tzu

I'm trying at the moment to get him used to being in another room on his own but he makes such a racket I feel sorry for the neighbours. I think I need a soundproof room to put him in!!!

Have you tried leaving an unwashed t-shirt of yours with him? Being able to smell you  might help to comfort him while you're out.

He can have the whole dirty washing basket full if it helps him, I will give that a try aswell.

So next time I leave him

Dirty washing
radio on
lots of new chews eg Stuffed Kong

and some ear plugs for the neighbours

Have I missed anything?

Hi Caz,

I have tried leaving a unwashed t-shirt with Benji (who is a Bichon Frise) and it didn't make any difference unfortunately :-( I also leave the radio on when I am out.  I think that is why most people with small dogs seem to have two of them because they simply hate being left alone.   I would have another dog if I could but we have to get Benjis skin problem under control first. :-(

It's just such a slow process getting them used to being alone, I've just put Oscar in his crate outside the bathroom door (door open)while I had  shower and he cried a little bit and totally ignored the treats I had put in his crate. I ignored him and got dressed and kept praising him when he was quite. I guess it's gonna be a long hard slog

Hiya
Just seen your post.
I have a cross Collie who used to go mad howling, wee and poo and trying to dig under the laminate?
I didnt know that was the case until the neighbour told me.
We filmed it one day and we were horrified! Our poor baby was soooo scared, yet this had never happened before, only whne he come bk from a week stay in the vets - he was really poorly. So i think thats what he associates being left alone with, the vets.
Anyhows, there is a lady on this forum who was very kind to help me out, we tried a Homeopathic tablet called Ignatia? and started Lucky off on three times a day before food. This helped a lot, but when he came to being weaned off it he was still very scared. So we bought him a DAP diffuser! He now calms down within ten mins if he does get anxious? He only barks when the postman comes now and then he is very quiet most times? I found a Ebay shop what sells the diffuser which lasts about 5 weeks for £18 inc P&P, the vets wanted £29???!!!!
I dont feed him his breakfast as a meal anymore, I fill up two Kongs with his breakfast and that keeps him busy. They last about ten mins which seems to calm him, and that way he knows being left alone as well is a good thing cos he gets nice food when Mummy goes out?!
I must say he is much improved now, also try keeping him in the kitchen when you are in? and practise goin out? We boarded up our dog gate so he cud not see and we wld open the front door, shut it and sit on the stairs for a minute to start with and then anything up to an hour? we found not goin into see him straight away when we get in also has calmed him down. we sit down for ten mins and then go and see him?
its a lot to remember, it does take time, it took us nearly 4 weeks and he still has bad days?
Good luck and if there is anything else, please ask...

Thanks so much for your advice it helps knowing someone who has managed to get their dog through this sort of problem. I have ordered the DAP spray from Ebay and have started to try and get Oscar to cope on his own while I potter round the house. This Ignatia tablet, where can I get it from? and why can't they stay on it long term?

Thanks again for your help

This sounds like the story of my life..... Buffy has terrible SA but it is slowly improving.... we use the ANXIETY drops they contain Ignatia (and have found they do make a difffernce) but you can also buy pure ignatia tablets from big lloyds chemists but I found they used to upset buffy (difficult to get down) the drops are great cause she can have them all day in her water and they can go on food.

Buffy is now nearly 8 months luckily she is fab in the car on her own for hours...except for this really hot weather which is making life very difficult! Buffy was doing really well until  her first which season set us back to the beggining to the point she wouldnt be apart from me even in the same room in her cage, she is now three weeks past her season and things are getting better again she is now at 10 minutes being left, despite opinions from some she has drastically improved now she is no longer crated and can sleep in  our room on our bed if she wants or in her own bed  if she choses the cage seems to make her much worse, our behaviourist said it could be that it stops her from doing something about how she feels... dunno but I'll try anything! We are also doin chicken and rice and lamb and rice only meals fine now that she is fully grown, and it does seem to have made a difference....

anyway we will see as i'm off to ireland on thursday and she definately is not invited to our weekend away... its like having a baby (though luckily dont have one of those yet) ruining our bedroom life with a parsons terrier stretched out between us!!!

It is getting better a little at a time.... aparently we will reach a certain point say 45 min and then she will not bother but we will have to wait and see... till then I will look very strange wandering round the house with my bag and keys, then keep openingthe front door then the back, then coming in then going out.... and it goes on....!

Good luck to everyone with their little worry worts!
x

Did you get the drops from the chemist aswell?

I wonder if you can get them from Ebay?

Is this the right stuff

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20751&item=3980936260&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

yes Caz they are the right ones....I have found they work with my dog... the DAP  made no difference to buffy but i would try one as they worked witha rescue dog we had.

Buffy slept all night in her own bed out of choice last night.... progress!! yey!!! She is now trying to terrorise the window cleaner!!!

hiya, i got the ignatia tablet from yourhealthfoodstore.co.uk
its a homeopathis remedy that is not made for long term use. It helps heal the mind and body whilst the tablets are in use, but you must wean your dog off them, mind i gave these tablets to a 8 yr old cross collie, how old is yours?
If oscar is in the kitchen when you go out or in a room by himself, you will find thr DAP diffuser MUCH better, i got both spray an diffuser. and Lucky stays in the kitchen when we are out and he sleeps right under the DAP, when he gets upset he retreats to a litle den we built for him which is right under the DAp didffuser?
The spray does not last as long, only a couple hours max?
But remember when you are using th DAP diffuser NOT to plug it under a cupboard or anything that might hinder the proper use of it, see, the hot air and the pheremones rise and if you plug it under something else you wont get the bst out of it? i found that out lol

Oscar is only 17 weeks old so I'm hoping I can sort this out while he is still very young.

Do they need to have the DAP for ever or do they kind of not need it after a while?

I've got to take my daughter to swimming at 9.30am so I'm gonna try every suggestion I can, but I think it will be too soon yet, I'll just have to get the kichen roll ready LOL

Ok off to stuff a kong, get the dirty washing out and leave the radio on and drag the cat in (poor cat)

for a puppy maybe the tablets will be too much for him?they knocked up my adult x collie?!i do think you shud try the DAP diffuser. it has worked wonders for us.
You need to find something that distracts him and give it to him just before you leave him?
it will take time, be very patient, u need to statt with a minute at a time leaving him and then build it up gradually?

I have to disagree with using a spray collar on a young puppy like this.

The spray collars are strong aversives and should only be used after everything else has been tried -and definitely not on  a puppy. The pup may be quiet, but in all probability is simply suppressed/repressed, not relaxed.

Lindsay
x

Edited: this was in reply to a post further up.

These are the ingrediants of the drops for sale on Ebay

Chamomilla, Valeriana,Borax,Cypripedium Pub., Ignatia A., Colch. Verat. A. 6&30C in 20% USP alc. in purified water.

Do you think these will help?

This is what I give my pup even though she's now nearly 8 months we started them at 4 months, and they were reccommended by our behaviourist. You could always start off with two or three drops rather than the the full amount which is 5 drops for under 10kg. These drops can also be safely double dosed for things like fireworks etc for a short period.

Are there full instructions on the bottle because I have no idea how to use them?

I got my DAP spray today and used it in the car, he stayed in the car for nearly 2 hours quite happily on his own on my friends driveway, I kept sneaking out for a look and he was lay down quite relaxed. Which I am really chuffed about as at least if the waether isn't hot I know I can leave him in the car for an hour or so.

Just got to work on leaving him alone in the house next.

Hi there

You can also buy DAP plugins which could be left on in the kitchen rather than just spraying before you go out.  My understanding of DAP is that you use it until he is used to the situation.  It may be a few months but it will be worth it.  Also, is he crate trained?  A puppy will normally never soil his bed and crate training is a great way to help with house training.  However, I would never leave a puppy in a crate longer than 1 hour max.  It might help to build up the time though.

Hope this helps.

Annie

Edited to add:  Also agree completely with Lindsay on the spray collar.  No puppy should ever have this used.  As LIndsay says, this is only when all else has failed and, in my opinion, that should never be the case because almost always if things are done correctly then something will work.  Good luck.

What is a spray collar, I've never heard of one before?

Caz

A spray collar is a remote controlled collar that attaches to your dogs neck.  When he/she does something it shouldn't it receives a spray of either water or citronella.  In some severe cases these devices do work but certainly not in your situation.  Your puppy just needs his confidence built up enough to be left knowing that you will be coming back.  These contraptions should never be used on a puppy because it can cause damage to their mental developmnt.  Better to spend time and do it properly.  Hope this helps.#

Kind regards
Annie

Don't worry I have no intention of using anything but love and understanding on my puppy.

He is fine left in the car and just curls up and sleeps so he is capable of being alone, but of course I can't leave him in the car when it's hot etc

Didn't think you would use one Caz. :)

Annie