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Barking puppy

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Jack chi

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I know barking has probably been discussed before but we are looking for help and advice to our situation. We are retired and have a working cocker spaniel puppy who is just 4 months old. He is with us most of the day and does not have a crate. We have taken the advice given online about teaching him to be able to be left alone for short periods of time. The living room he is in has a pet camera so we can monitor him when he is on his own. Up until last week he just settled down in his bed until we came back to him after about an hour. He has now recently developed a barking problem if left alone. He sleeps through until early morning with no barking, Now if anytime during the day we then leave him in the room on his own whilst we go out, as soon as we leave he has started barking and howling. We make sure he has been to the toilet before and leave him with plenty of his toys and tried Kong toys filled with a treat which lasted a couple of minutes.
The confusion we have is with the advice we have read on line, as soon as we enter the house he stops so if we follow the advice and go to him give him a treat he will get the idea if he barks he gets our attention and a treat.
If we enter the house and don’t go and see him straight away but leave it a short while he starts barking again.
If we leave him barking and watch him on the camera he is unsettled and keeps going from his bed on to the settee then to the door whist continually barking and howling. Then after 10 - 15 minutes he stops and goes to sleep.
The dilemma we have is we don’t know if leaving him is the correct solution or are we doing the wrong thing.
Does he stop and sleep from exhaustion of barking or has he just been trying it on for attention and given up.
Could our actions cause separation anxiety by ignoring him.
Is this a phase puppies go through and grow out of.
Has anyone else had this type of problem from a puppy that can give us help and advice.
 
Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to give him a treat when you come back - not because it might reward the barking, but because he'll then be more anxious for your return. I also wouldn't advise ignoring him when you come back in - that just makes you seem weird in his eyes. It's better to give a low-key greeting, like you would greet your other half when coming home. Sort out shoes, bags, and so on, then you can give him a proper welcome. The message is that just as you leaving the house isn't a big deal, you coming home isn't either.

But first, I think you need to take a few steps back. You want to aim to work in his comfort zone - if he can't cope with you being away however long you're normally out for, then every time you so much as put your shoes on he'll start getting anxious. On the other hand, if you always return within a time frame he's comfortable with (even if it is 30 seconds), then you putting your shoes on is no big deal. And then you work on extending that 30 seconds to a minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes...... You might even need to start from putting your shoes on and taking them off again, opening the front door and closing it, and so on. More info here: Separation anxiety
 
I'd just like to add what lovely thoughful people you are to look for a proper answer to puppy's behaviour instead of getting impatient with him.
 
Hi JudyN, thanks for your reply and advice. We did try going back to basics leaving him for a short time and building it up. We only got to 5 minutes then he barked continuously for around 15 minutes before stopping. He is sleeping less than he was and has a lot of energy. We have tried taking him for long walks first but he sleeps for a short time then when he wakes he starts barking. Even when we are in the house doing things and he is in his room he barks after a few minutes. This is why we were wondering if it for attention rather than anxiety and leave him to bark.
 
He is a working cocker who needs brain stimulation as well as exercise...as he is only 4 months old he shouldn't be going for long walks .....mind games are a great way of draining excess energy. ..can i ask what are you feeding him
 
Jack chi said:
We only got to 5 minutes then he barked continuously for around 15 minutes before stopping.
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Do you mean that he was OK while you were out for 5 mins, but after you came home he barked for 15 mins even though you were there?

If he barks when you're in another room and he can't get to you, you might want to let him follow but try the flitting game, which is about 2/3 down this page: https://www.thecanineconsultants.co.uk/post/separation-anxiety-fact-vs-fiction There's some more great advice on SA in general on that page.
 
Tinytom said:
He is a working cocker who needs brain stimulation as well as exercise...as he is only 4 months old he shouldn't be going for long walks .....mind games are a great way of draining excess energy. ..can i ask what are you feeding him
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We are feeding him with Lily’s kitchen puppy food and when I say a long walk it is puppy standard 15 minutes. He sleeps when he comes back but as soon as he wakes and realises we are not there he starts the barking.
 
Hi JudyN
Yes if we leave him in a room so we can do some house work after 5 mins he starts barking and continues for around 15 minutes then stops. After he stops we go in and see him but when we leave he starts again. Thank you for the link it is very interesting and given us a lot of help.
 
Jack chi said:
Hi JudyN
Yes if we leave him in a room so we can do some house work after 5 mins he starts barking and continues for around 15 minutes then stops. After he stops we go in and see him
Click to expand...

Ah, OK - in that case, it's best to only leave him for 3-4 mins, then let him join you (even if he does 'help' with the housework). Waiting till he stops barking before you go back only reinforces that he can't rely on you to help him out when he's anxious. And even if it did teach him to be quiet, it would do nothing to allay the distress he felt for the 15 mins. The aim isn't to teach him to be 'good', but to be happy when he's left (or at least accepting, and not anxious).
 
JudyN said:
Ah, OK - in that case, it's best to only leave him for 3-4 mins, then let him join you (even if he does 'help' with the housework). Waiting till he stops barking before you go back only reinforces that he can't rely on you to help him out when he's anxious. And even if it did teach him to be quiet, it would do nothing to allay the distress he felt for the 15 mins. The aim isn't to teach him to be 'good', but to be happy when he's left (or at least accepting, and not anxious).
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Thanks for the advice, we are glad we asked as now we know not to leave him. The only question is we have to go to an appointment which will take us out for about 90 mins. There isn’t anyone we can ask to dog sit.
 
Is there a local dogwalker /dogsitter near you that maybe able to help...our vets have a list of pet sitters ...
 
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