Puppy And Separation Anxiety

[johns]

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I yesterday collected Rita, an adorable and beautiful 9 week old whippet, and would very much appreciate any suggestions and advice to deal with the strong separation anxiety she is exhibiting so that I can nip this in the bud. I live by myself (in a garden flat in a terrace - so plenty of neighbours!) and have owned dogs before, but never a whippet.

She has been eating fine and doing her stuff in the garden, but cries if she is left alone for any time at all. For the first night I slept on the sofa so she could see me and that passed fine, but when she is in the crate so that I can safely do a few things around the house, she howls and screams if I am not next to it. If I let her out while she is doing this, am I rewarding her for this behaviour? She is used to a crate from her breeder, and is happy to go in there, where she has special toys. I have tried ignoring her but the howling went on for more than an hour. I know it is very early days but it would be great to have any comments about how to deal with this. Should I indulge her at the start when she is still missing her home or should I be firm?

I have already spoken to her breeder, who suggested that I should just not giving in but she also suggested that I post on here for any suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[Kenmilquin]

I yesterday collected Rita, an adorable and beautiful 9 week old whippet, and would very much appreciate any suggestions and advice to deal with the strong separation anxiety she is exhibiting so that I can nip this in the bud. I live by myself (in a garden flat in a terrace - so plenty of neighbours!)  and have owned dogs before, but never a whippet.
She has been eating fine and doing her stuff in the garden, but cries if she is left alone for any time at all. For the first night I slept on the sofa so she could see me and that passed fine, but when she is in the crate so that I can safely do a few things around the house, she howls and screams if I am not next to it. If I let her out while she is doing this, am I rewarding her for this behaviour? She is used to a crate from her breeder, and is happy to go in there, where she has special toys. I have tried ignoring her but the howling went on for more than an hour. I know it is very early days but it would be great to have any comments  about how to deal with this. Should I indulge her at the start when she is still missing her home or should I be firm?

I have already spoken to her breeder, who suggested that I should just not giving in but she also suggested that I post on here for any suggestions.

Thanks.

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Hi

Indiana used to do that but i stopped him by leaving the radio on for him when i went out, maybe the voices and the noise made him think he wasnt on his own. but what ever the reason i turned it down over a period of time and he does howl any more. i still leave the radio on for him so its not complete silence but no more noise as i said. hope this helps

karan

P.s make sure she has her own space to go and lay in so it becomes a comfort area for her.

 

[johns]

And here is a picture of the little minx

 

[Cornish]

And here is a picture of the little minx View attachment 55003

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Aw isn't she pretty :wub:

Sidney used to be like this .... we did the little at a time thing,

Even when you are home pop her in the kitchen or where you leave her when you go out, with her bed, a toy or something to keep her entertained.

We leave the radio on for back ground noise too.

Then just pop her in the room for 2/3 mins at a time, and she will get usd to you going and coming back and know that when you go you are not leaving her for good.

Sidney is fine now.. infact when he sees us put on our coats he jumps up on the sofa and go to sleep and Be goes into the utility room in his bed :lol:

I hope that helps

 

[Jessr123]

Murphy used do the exact same thing. In the end we covered his crate over with a duvet 2 make it like a den n invested in a puppy heat pad that u warm in the microwave. He loves it n even now if he looks a little under the weather he will happily snuggle up with it.

We also did just leave him 2 cry it out when we were n the house. Had 2 b really firm. Perseverance pays off. He was just pushing his luck as a puppy and as long as he had a wee n was fed we knew it was safe 2 leave him. We only returned 2 the crate when he was quiet n rewarded him 4 settling not 4 crying.

It is hard 2 do, but do stick with it. I now have a pup who i can leave anywhere in his crate which is a blessing.

 

[Eceni]

Get and read - as an emergency - 'Don't Shoot the Dog' by Karen Pryor.

It will revolutionise your understanding of dog behaviour in a sane, sorted, scientifically sound fashion (which sets it apart from virtually every other dog behaviourist out there) and will give you tools to sort this

i'd order it now from Amazon on the 'deliver tomorrow' post....

good luck

E

 

[Ann Glews]

Some good advice, also bear in mind your dog has been with you for a day or two, will be missing it's mum & litter mates. She is a baby in strange surroundings, giver her time :huggles:

You have picked a fantastic companion and won't look back, welcome to the forum :thumbsup:

 

[johns]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I wish I could get so far as leaving the house, just leaving her in the crate or a room causes havoc so far, and I don't know if I am being too indulgent, but I don't want her to get totally hysterical and hurt herself.

So difficult to know when you are being played or when the fear is genuine. But I will try the various suggestions and the book has been ordered...

 

[Nicola]

Welcome to K9. This question comes up quite often with first time whippet pup owners. It can be very stressful but don't worry, you're not alone with this.

Have a read of this link in our FAQ section...you should get some good tips here:

http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index....showtopic=22321

Good luck and let us know how you get on. :luck:

 

[starswift]

:thumbsup: she is one of the lana babys :wub: i hope john can be firm with her

 

[johns]

I think I am finally getting somewhere, thanks for the suggestions, and reading the threads was very reassuring - good to know that it isn't just me or Rita.

But she is definitely a handful! But then I knew I chose the cheekiest of the litter... Now that I know that she is feeling more secure I am being a lot firmer with her as I know the wailing and crying and barking is just not wanting to be left out rather than panic. If I just leave the house she goes quiet straight away and I come back and she is happy as anything, but if she is in the crate and knows I am elsewhere in the flat, then she throws an horrendous strop but they are generally getting shorter.

She and my cat are being very sweet together though - slightly coy with each other and touching noses, otherwise leaving each other alone. So excellent on that front.

Now she learns not to do all her number twos in the middle of the night...

 

[Debbie Reed]

Just a thought. How about another one to keep her company. (w00t) You know what everyone says , one is never eough! :wacko:

Debbie

 

[johns]

Yes, in a year or so I will have forgotten and might very probably end up doing that, but my hair might have gone grey by then!