Where do I start, over the last couple of weeks Ellis has started wingeing & whining all the time (SP), this is only when we are in the house, even if we are in the same room as him he just won't stop the noise.

Two things happened on the same weekend that this started, OH finished his hawking season so Ellis is no longer going out with him, but comes out with Bronnie & I, and Oh moved into the spare bedroom as we are seperating.  Both dogs like to sleep on the bed, however, OH now shuts them out of his room as he can't sleep with them on the bed.

Some or all of this is effecting him and I don't know what to do, I spend all my spare time with both dogs but it just doesn't seem to be enough for him.

Any suggestions please, as he seems so sad.

Thanks

Juliet

Could be a combination of the things you mention.  Dogs are perceptive of our moods as I have found out with mine. I expect some are more perceptive than others.  On holiday recently my daughter house and dogsat for the week.  Her boyfriend spoilt the dog and took her on nice walks and played with her as only roughty toughty boys do but apparently she whined everynight for no apparent reason.  She might have been missing us but she continued to do this for a few days after we were back so I guess it might have been a combination of missing us and also just the general change within the household.

Our dog greets each of us enthusiastically when we come in but in the evening when we are all sitting in the same room she is positively excited.  I imagine your dog is picking up on the general changes in your house.

Hi
Sounds like a shit time - poor you!  :-(

GSPs are very sensitive to moods and also born whingers if allowed to be.  OK....some suggestions for you........Have you tried a DAP diffuser? Also, when he whinges, try to distract him with something to do that you can then praise him for.  If you do clicker training, train the 'hush' if you haven't done so already.  Try not to inadvertently reinforce his anxiety, so don't overly fuss and comfort him otherwise that will just tell him that there is something wrong and to be worried about.  If he has just finished a season of work, he will be very fit and missing that level of exercise and excitement hunting.  Like horses, you need to let him down slowly, not just switch off totally in one day.  So, keep his level of activity up for a bit, just winding down over a period of weeks and adjusting diet accordingly. Maybe try something new as a new focus of interest with him......agility? tracking? good citizen?

Good luck.

Thanks for the info, didn't think about just stopping the level of activity, I will try what you have suggested & let you know.

Juliet

Good ideas from Gunner

My dog doesn't work but has taken part in a little agility and other activities at training school.  She finds a couple of hours having to use her brain there far more tiring than a few hours' walking.

I hope things start getting better for you soon.

Dogs are incredibly quick to pick up on atmospheres as well as changes in routine. Way back in what now seems like ancient history, my ex-husband and I split up and the children and I moved to a cottage in the next village. During the unsettled time when we were splitting up but not actually separated my dog, Sophie, was extremely unsettled herself and it took a couple of months of a peaceful new life before she was herself again.

Changes in routine can have a weird effect too even in homes where you haven't got the stress you are going through. Last week, for example, I was performing in a pantomime and my dog spent quiet evenings at home in the kitchen with no sign of stress whatsoever. Indeed, so unstressed were these quiet evenings that he's now still choosing to doze quietly in his bed, reappearing occasionally to say hello before returning for another snooze. So it's me that's getting separation anxiety!!!