Seperation Anxiety

[barkingmad]

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Just wondered what you all have experienced in regards to seperation anxiety.

I have read books that say you should get your pup used to being alone from a young age. I tried this with my dog as a pup in little steps like leaving him in the morning while I go to the bathroom for a shower, then building it up. He always cried, even when I left him treats etc. He was nearly two before I could leave him alone without worring. So for two years of his life he was distressed whenever he was not with me. A friend of mine took a different approach, she realised her little one also hated being left alone so she took her pup with her everywhere. When she had showers the door was left open. Of course the little one followed her everywhere. Then when she was about 6 months or so she gradually did what I did with my pup. She coped much better and at a year old the dog could be left for a couple of hours whithout fear of her stressing. I often wondered should I have left it till later with my one. Would it have saved both of us alot of stress. Would be interested to hear your views.

Cheers

 

[muttz]

Interesting to read of the different approach to separation anxiety. I took the same route as your friend and took my baby everywhere with me, even to work, cos strangely enough he was always happy being left in the car, and gradually started his separation training when he was about 8 months old. He is now 15 months old and has no problems being left. Puppies are babies and I think they need company and reassurance in shedloads when they are young. As long as your dog is happy now thats all that matters but sometimes we expect too much too young. Good luck :luck: :luck: :cheers:

 

[barkingmad]

Did you ever leave your pup alone in a different room in the house? did he sleep with you? In hindsight I do think I was expecting too much of him. I was so concerened with following 'the rules' of raising a pup. If I was to do it again I would probably do it differently. I think generally no dog is going to be content left alone for small amounts of time untill it is mature and confident and I guess that comes at around one year old?

 

[muttz]

my whippet still sleeps with me and always will cos I want him too. If I went into another room or for a shower he would follow me and it seemed that when he was ok with where I was he would wander into the hallway or kitchen quite happily but as soon as I moved he was there like a flash !! He most certainly did not like having doors shut between us even for a short time - that would send him into mega stress mode, except for the car, so I always tried never to put him in that position when he was a baby.

He now seems to be quite well adjusted and improving all the time ( with the more activities he takes part in ) so give your dog time - he will get there. :luck:

 

[doris]

personally I think dogs are like kids - and whatever we do it always seems to be the wrong thing :wacko:

so just do what feels right and hope for the best :luck:

edited to say, I've just re-read the above, sorry if this sounds a bit flippant, its not meant to be :thumbsup:

 

[hughes0]

we had a small problem with jake and separation, he ate the door (w00t)

after coming on here for some advice, it seemed that the main tip people gave was to get a second whippet. so we did, and we have never looked back, not a sleepless night or chewed door since.

conclusion, dogs are like lovebirds, they like to be in pairs :teehee:

 

[fallenangel]

we never leve the pups when there very young and from about 6 months start with 5 mins here and there once i am conjvinced there over the realy bad chewing stage and know what they can and carnt have. but untill about 18 months there never left more than an hour.

 

[bardmand]

Cannot really remember how early I started and how fast I progressed with training my whippet to be on her own. The only thing I know, is that I started with very, very short intervals, making sure she never got distressed. That meant starting with closing the door between us when she was tired and lying down - in the beginning only for a few seconds, then gradually progressing to half a minute, 45 seconds and so on. All the time, I was making sure I didn't make any fuss over it. My dog has never had a problem with being on her own (although she has made her own fun out of old paperback books on a couple of occasions...).

I must say I think it is all very individual, though. However, I do believe in trying to avoid spooking very young pups at all costs.

 

[barkingmad]

Its really interesting to see how different people have dealt with this problem. I guess all dogs are different and we shouldnt expect too much from them when they are only babies. :wub: