Leaving dog

The TV Programme I saw on this subject said that making a huge fuss was underlining to the dog that your going away was a big thing, and being casual about it made it seem like no big deal.

Shame your neighbours are giving you so much pressure you have no time. Anyone who trains dogs will tell you there are no quick fixes. So, first thing I would recommend, is before you leave your lovely Lab, a very long exhausting off lead walk. A swim if you have a river close by. A weary dog is less likely to be so fretful. Then freeze a large Kong with mackerel in tomato sauce, or cream cheese, or such like. You can also purchase toys that use their mind (look online). Don't give these items at other times to devalue them. Give when you leave the house so these things are seen as such a wonderful treat, you going out is a very good thing! Build up the time left alone gradually. And a bottle of wine, bunch of flowers, chocolates to the neighbours, with an explanation (or a letter if they're a bit hostile) to say you are trying your absolute best to sort it out and he is, after all, only 5 months old! A mere baby. A safe den is a good idea, crate or otherwise. And no reassurance nonsense upon leaving. Just go without a lot of fuss. Good luck and best wishes, Gill

I don't think it's legal to lock your neighbours in a crate ajanela though I might be tempted to try an anti-bark collar on them.

How does the neighbour have so much control. Looks like they need a bit of retraining.

Explain to them what you are doing and how. Also say you will try and do it when they are out if possible. They will then know you are not leaving the dog for a long period. If they still get grumpy, smile and say we are making progress. Do not respond to their complaints by stopping reasonable dog training. That's rewarding bad behaviour.

Dog training and neighbour training are similar.

Vetbed to sleep on is nice for them as well; I think that they thing they're cuddling up to another dog.

Hilda

Not as expensive as Peggy trying to jump on a worktop to steal the cat's food and turning the tumble drier on for the longest cycle.

I'm sure I've read somewhere that it's a good idea to put the crate in the living room with the telly on because that's where the dog relaxes with you in the evening.

Hilda that's so funny!

We came home one evening to find dog had turned on the telly! She had accidently pressed a knob as we had left remote on the sofa!

She was watching something ghastly on one of the minor channels!

I leave radio 4 on for my dog, too. If it's totally silent, she's too busy listening out for unexpected noises outside. It'll soon be that time of year to get nervous dogs used to the sound of fireworks in advance of bonfire night.

The kong in the freezer is a good idea, but also have you tried leaving the radio on? Radio 4 is good because it is mostly voices. Good Luck.

Let's hope they weren't playing the 1812 Iam

I don't like aversive training techniques either, especially when used for emotional reactions like separation anxiety. I don't think the council would be interested in you neighbours threats - you're a responsible dog owner in the process of training your young dog, what's wrong with that.

I forgot to add to the information about crate training that I always leave the radio on for my dogs when they're left at home. I started this with the crate training, so the dogs didn't go from living in a busy home with people in and out to total silence. I leave it on low and daft though it may seem, I still do this even though my own dogs are 3 and 6. (plus daughter's 8 month old pup, don't ask - During the firework season I took to leaving radio 3 on with the hope the classical music would add to the calm atmosphere

lonniefrances When your dog goes off to day care, he is leaving the rest of his pack in the den while he is off "hunting". He expects you to still be there when he gets back. When you leave the den, he has been deserted by his pack, and he doesn't know that you will return - ever.

There was a TV programme where they dealt with this desertion anxiety. It was one of this series. www.channel4.com/programmes/dogs-their-secret-lives

Yes I so agree. The whole point is that we expect the dogs to adapt to our expectations and world, which to my mind is often a step too far. Dog's are pack animals - they need and should have every reason to expect that most of the time the members of that pack are with him. Of course there will be times - but these should be infrequent - when he must stay home alone, and every effort should be made to ensure that he copes with this enforced lonliness as far as is possible. One of the best ways is to wear him out with a good long walk and he will spend the time asleep.

Sorry the anti-bark collars are horrid...you are using fear to train the dog, never a good idea in the long run.

The anti-bark collar might sound a bit harsh, but once the puppy understands cause and effect he won't even have to wear it. We just show it to the dog and hang it over the door handle when we go out to remind him. There's not a peep out of him, and he doesn't know that it's not even switched on! The good thing is you can take it everywhere with you - to other people's houses and hotel rooms etc.

I doubt that's true Lonnie though Environmental Health might take steps to prevent noise pollution if it is serious and prolonged.

Dear little soul

Been busy googling! I think I was getting confused because he goes off to day care and to stay with other people without a backward glance, seems he is OK with leaving us, just not with us leaving him. I don't think I could use an anti bark collar, it wouldn't feel right but the neighbours tell me that environmental health will make me if they complain, any one know if that's true? I wish I could speak to them Anya but they are just not interested. Have now decided we will have to build up a minute at a time if that's what it takes. He is the most gorgeous dog in every other way and is helping my DH through a very challenging period of ill health. Thank you all for your help.

'Going out' rituals help a lot I think. Like Anya's dog ours react as soon as we pick up the car keys. They sit - knowing they will get a biscuit and the last thing we say as we go out is, 'In your beds!' They take their biscuits with them but the older one doesn't eat hers until we return.

PS as soon as I get my car keys my old mutt heads to the top landing so he can watch comings and goings on the street. He doesn't even have to be told anymore.

I used to hate the idea of crates too, but used correctly, as documented by Iam they become the dog's 'den', somewhere it can go to chill and escape.

I also like Merlot's idea.

I think you should have a word with your neighbours and explain this is a temporary issue you are working to resolve.

Good luck [waggy tail emoticon]

I used a crate for my dog in her first year. In the daytime it was her little place to sleep and keep safe if I had to go out for a short time - the door was kept open when I was there. At night, it was useful to train her to settle down when I went to bed. I passed it on to a friend for her puppy - when we visited, my dog would head straight for 'her' crate and park herself with her paws at the entrance as if to claim her home back. It was particularly useful in house training her to wait to go in the garden. I think they can be used badly and don't like to see dogs being sent to their crates for punishment or to exclude them from being with the family because of unwanted behaviour that needs training input.

My dog cried when I went out at first, but I taught her to endure a few minutes befire I came back, left her with an old jumper of mine and praised her on my return. Now, I just say I'm going out and she settles down in her basket. If I come back minutes later because I've forgotten something, she's stretched out on the sofa

Two Christmasses ago we had a houseful including DD's two chihuahuas. We put their crate in the corner of the kitchen with the door open so they could escape for a bit of peace and quiet (and keep out of the way of many pairs of feet!)

After Christmas dinner when we were all slumped on various sofas/ chairs/beanbags/cushions, we heard a fearful racket coming from the kitchen. We were expecting to break up a dog fight but it was nothing more serious than sheer outrage from the chi's because our two Jack Russells had sneaked into their crate, cuddled up on the bed and.....closed the door behind them!

We've never used a crate but they are very successful in the right hands. DH doesn't like them but if we ever get another puppy (highly unlikely) I would be keen to crate train.

I think I could live with it if the dog was in it for no more than 2 hours. If I think about my dog and watch when he is asleep, he actually may start in his bed or may not. But what he does do is wander well sort of stagger, heavy with sleep all over the room from one spot to another, so for me a crate would restrict his normal behaviour.
If a dog is being destructive it maybe because he doesn't have sufficient stimulation, or isn't tired enough after a long walk, and suggests that he is being left too long