2 days ago i got a dog from a woman that worked alot and didnt have time for her 3 year old mix terrier.. well the dog cries everytime i leave the room . my husband can be home and she will sit and whimper by the door until i get home. if you put her in the back yard she will howl and whine until i go out or let her in ... do you have any suggestions .. my husband is threating to give her back if it continues:
ashishbarad
06-16-2008, 12:56 AM
If I were in place of your husband, I have returned that dog to its real owner...
But you can train it if you get 1 to 2 hours daily.
Give it any toy to play with.
Teach it to play with it.
this way, You can keep it busy n it will stop doing such things.
catalayse
09-06-2008, 02:00 PM
It sounds like your dog has separation anxiety. It makes sense for her to be nervous as she has just lost everything that she knows and comforts her. She's probably worried that when you leave you will never come back.
Do practice departures whenever you can (10-15 minute sessions at a time) Make it look like you're really leaving (put on shoes, take your purse/bag and keys) Leave for a minute; come back in; praise her/give her a treat or. Increase the time to a few more minutes, then a few more minutes and so on. Do not reward her when she barks. You'll probably have to do these exercises for several days in a row...but you will see the change.
Google "separation anxiety" for some more advice. I have a dog with separation anxiety and we're continually working with him... We now have more dogs, and that has totally helped the problem. They play while we're out and barely notice the time passing.
Of course, this is not the best solution for everyone...try the exercises.