Dog Community

6.5 y.o. English Springer howls when left alone. Advice?

Posted : 8/22/2006 4:15:06 PM

A little background:

The orginal owners bought her at 8 weeks old. They had 4 young kids and left her outside or penned in the laundry room a lot.

My Mom adopted her at 4 months. She was a real terror, but my mom did training school w/ her and she showed some improvement. My mom was home w/ her a lot. Unfortunately, my Mom developed cancer and passed away when the dog was three. For the next two years, she was home alone all day (with the exception of my sis or I stopping by on our lunch break to let her out) because my Dad worked from 7-6. She did have a crate the whole time she was living there, but if she was shut in it, she howled much worse.

Two years ago, I 'adopted' the dog and brought her to live with me. She doesn't bark or howl as long as I'm home, but all the neighbors says she howls when I'm not there. I'm home with her most of the day, typically. She's always been very needy with all her owners...following them from room to room, wanting to 'cuddle'. She's very big on affection. She is fully housetrained, and has never chewed or destroyed anything.

Since I've owned her, I take her for at least one long walk every day, and I try to do it right before I leave. She's very well behaved on walks. I also 'play' with her during the day. I really can't exercise her more than I already do, as I have an auto-immune disorder that limits my exercising. I've tried the Kong toys etc, and I always leave the tv on. I've left a tape recorder on when I leave the house to monitor her. From what I can tell, she starts howling as soon as she's gotten the treats out of the toys! I've read up on all the behavoiral techniques on Seperation anxiety (leaving for a few min and coming back, etc), but nothing has worked thus far. Typically I'm only out for an hour or two, as I work from home. At the most, I leave her for a few hours to see a movie, etc.

I know that Springers are needy and prone to separation anxiety. I'm not sure what else to do? Any thoughts? Thanks for your help!

Michael H

Posted : 8/22/2006 8:32:38 PM

I saw a similar problem that this couple were having with their dog on a show on Animal Planet recently. What the dog trainer told them to do was, leave the house, and then wait until the dog starts barking or doing whatever the dog does when you're gone. As soon as the dog starts, he said to open up the door, clap your hands twice, and say "No!" to let the dog understand that behavior is unwanted.

Also, never give your dog affection when you leave the house. I never say "bye" or anything like that. I don't look him in the eye. I just leave. It will be easier on the dog as the experience of you leaving isn't as emotional. This alone won't work on a dog like yours, but it is something you should know if you don't already.

Sue W

Posted : 8/22/2006 9:25:47 PM

ORIGINAL: nocturnal76

I saw a similar problem that this couple were having with their dog on a show on Animal Planet recently. What the dog trainer told them to do was, leave the house, and then wait until the dog starts barking or doing whatever the dog does when you're gone. As soon as the dog starts, he said to open up the door, clap your hands twice, and say "No!" to let the dog understand that behavior is unwanted.

Hmmm, from everything I've read online, that will only worsen the problem because then it shows them that their barking or whining 'works', as it makes you come back in the house.

Thanks for your reply though. And, yes, I do know not to give her affection when I'm leaving

Silly dogs. If only they spoke our language!

jones

Posted : 8/23/2006 9:02:10 AM

Sunderance... it sounds to me like you're already doing everything right, and also that there are very understandable reasons for her SA. Sorry, I know that isn't very helpful! - I have no experience with SA. The only suggestion I can offer is maybe getting a DAP diffuser for your home. This is something they use sometimes in shelters that is said to work well - emitting calming pheromones I believe.

Roxie is just beautiful! I have a big soft spot for Springers.

Deb

Posted : 8/23/2006 7:16:08 PM

Can she play fetch? Lots of exercise for her, not so much for you...

Getting her tired will help a lot. She's a sporting breed. Mental stim helps too: freeshaping, all food out of toys that challenge her, good things to chew, etc.

Sue W

Posted : 8/23/2006 9:44:16 PM

ORIGINAL: fisher6000

Can she play fetch? Lots of exercise for her, not so much for you...

Getting her tired will help a lot. She's a sporting breed. Mental stim helps too: freeshaping, all food out of toys that challenge her, good things to chew, etc.

Ah, yes, she loves fetch. I work from home, which is why she's so attatched to me, I think. And I play with her ALOT. But no matter how tried out she is, if I leave, she howls. For instance, after I walk her and I'm home, she'll sleep for for over and hour. Or anytime after we play and I stay home, she'll nap. She does love her toys.

Sue W

Posted : 8/23/2006 9:45:29 PM

ORIGINAL: jones

Sunderance... it sounds to me like you're already doing everything right, and also that there are very understandable reasons for her SA. Sorry, I know that isn't very helpful! - I have no experience with SA. The only suggestion I can offer is maybe getting a DAP diffuser for your home. This is something they use sometimes in shelters that is said to work well - emitting calming pheromones I believe.

Roxie is just beautiful! I have a big soft spot for Springers.

Thanks, Jones, I'll look into those. You're dog is a cutie, too! Is it a Cocker?

nyiceprincess

Posted : 8/23/2006 9:53:37 PM

You mentioned she had a toy with treats in it.You could try making it harder ot get the treats out.Use a kong stuffed with treats and peanut butter.You can also freeze it to make it even harder.I have heard that it helps if you make alot of short trips in and out,starting at only a couple mins and working your way up.Like go check the mail,get something from the car ect.Do not acknowledge any bad behavior,just ignore it.Eventually she will figure out that when you leave,you do come back.

Sue W

Posted : 8/23/2006 10:14:05 PM

ORIGINAL: nyiceprincess

You mentioned she had a toy with treats in it.You could try making it harder ot get the treats out.Use a kong stuffed with treats and peanut butter.You can also freeze it to make it even harder.I have heard that it helps if you make alot of short trips in and out,starting at only a couple mins and working your way up.Like go check the mail,get something from the car ect.Do not acknowledge any bad behavior,just ignore it.Eventually she will figure out that when you leave,you do come back.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, do the peanut butter/treats combo with the Kong, and as mentioned in my OP, I've tried the gradual departure tactics :/

She's a tough case, I guess!

spiritdogs

Posted : 8/23/2006 11:32:47 PM

"I'll Be Home Soon - How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety" by Patricia McConnell. You can get it at her website: www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com

Sue W

Posted : 8/23/2006 11:44:33 PM

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

"I'll Be Home Soon - How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety" by Patricia McConnell. You can get it at her website: www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com

THANKS! I've seen that mentioned a couple other places and couldn't find where to purchse it - I appreciate the tip!

jones

Posted : 8/24/2006 7:23:51 AM

Thanks, Jones, I'll look into those. You're dog is a cutie, too! Is it a Cocker?

Thanks, yeah that's Russell my cocker spaniel. [

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NicoleS

Posted : 8/24/2006 9:37:56 AM

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

"I'll Be Home Soon - How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety" by Patricia McConnell. You can get it at her website: [linkhttp://www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com]www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com[/link]

you can also get it at Amazon.com - Our dog went thru the barking/howling when we left him alone too. He is now on clomipramine (clomicalm) as an anti-anxiety med and it mades truck loads of difference in him (even at the lowest dose). we are now working our way thru the steps in the book. Its basically a way to desensitize your dog to your leaving so he doesn't get anxious the second you look at your keys or something. the plan goes for about 6-8 weeks or so, depending on the severity. The medication was b/c we live in an apt building and just couldn't have him barking and howling all day every day - so this does wonders until we can work thru it and wean him off.

Also - the DAP thing didn't work for us. From the research I did, it either works *wonders* or does nothing at all - unfortunately, it didn't do anything for us. If you try it, best wishes and let us know if it works for you since I would be interested to see what it does when it does work.

Sue W

Posted : 8/24/2006 1:18:43 PM

ORIGINAL: NicoleS

The medication was b/c we live in an apt building and just couldn't have him barking and howling all day every day - so this does wonders until we can work thru it and wean him off.

Yes, we live in apartment, too...so that is the issue in my case also. She has a vet appt in a few days anyway, so I will ask his advice about the medication.

I've been reading mixed reviews online w/ the DAP device and decided not to order it.

I'll let you all know what the vet has to say.