Gillyahoo asked:
Have just had the sweetest little rescue dog who justs wants to cuddle and sleep. I work part time three hours a day, three days a week in school terms and worry she is going to suffer from some type of separation anxiety. Any suggestions that may help? Have got her some cuddly toys and leaving radio on – any thing else help? Don’t want to let her down – too may have done that already.
Have just had the sweetest little rescue dog who justs wants to cuddle and sleep. I work part time three hours a day, three days a week in school terms and worry she is going to suffer from some type of separation anxiety. Any suggestions that may help? Have got her some cuddly toys and leaving radio on – any thing else help? Don’t want to let her down – too may have done that already.
We are so touched by your concern, your new little critter is so lucky to have found you! Here is an article that we found helpful:
http://blazingdogs.blogspot.com/2008/05/dog-training-dealing-with-separation.html
LoLLy is a rescue dog too! We hope you will stop by our website and say hello! Love, Your PaLs, LuLu and LoLLy! htttp://www.luluandlolly.com
Also, on our Links page, we have articles to many topics, in case some of them provide help for you too!
That’s not bad at all. Your doggie will be fine alone for a few hours. She will just sleep some more. Just make sure she has a warm, soft place to sleep, water, and toys and she will be great.
Good for you for rescuing her!
3 hours a few times a week isnt much so dont worry.
Break her in gently before you have to leave her for the full 3 hours, half an hour, then an hour etc so she will get used to the idea you will come back.
Toys TV radio all good ideas as well.
Good luck. Sounds like she is worth the effort!
just love her and be gentle with her. your not leaving her for a long period of time so don’t feel guilty. She may just be a laid back lady..Give her some time and she will perk up when ever you enter the room..
What a sweetie you are! I think you’ve already made a good start re the toys and radio. I would also start to leave her alone for say 15 minutes then build up gradually, just go to the local shop or walk around the block just to get her to realise that when you leave you will come back! She’ll be fine, give her lots of love and treats when you get back. I’ve got a Bassett and we did this, he is fine now to leave he looks forward to his treat when I get back. He is due to go in Kennels for 2 weeks in Jan (we fly to the USA) and I feel sick as he sleeps with me (hubby works nights) and he will be on his own all night, it’s going to ruin my holiday! We’ve paid for ‘posh pets’ bit where they get a TV, a chair and the room is decorated like a house!
I go as far as leaving the TV on for my one year old beagle because sometime we are gone alot get her a nice bed and some wonderful toys and when you leave, leave her a treat a maybe pick her up and rub her before you leave the first sign of separation anxiety is when you try going out of the door she trys to get out too, so watch out for that and Good Luck!
i adopted a dog and she was abused and left at a park and at the beginning she cried when i left the house
but she doesn’t get any separation… anymore if you leave for a long time leave the radio and try to make her feel comfortable if you have a day off get a camera and record her and see how she reacts when you leave
get out of the house frequently so she can get used to it
it worked for my dog
Thank you for rescuing a dog, I wish everyone would. I have a stray I found on the street, she was a mess and now she is great, I go to work all day come home and everything is fine.
Everything works out with time the dog will adjust to your schedule.
Good for you on adopting a rescue dog with some issues!
Keeping the radio or tv on will help. Don’t leave the whole house open for her to run around in, she might get more nervous about all of the space. Get her a crate, or a dog bed that can be her den where she can feel comfortable and safe while you are gone.
You can also work with her while you are home. Have her lay down and stay in one spot, then take a step back from her, and then step right back to her. Each day take more steps back, then immediately walk back to her. Eventually this will take you into the next room, then to the opposite end of the house. It sounds silly, but what it does it teach her, and reinforce, is that you are coming back.
we rescued a lab in March 2006, he was a bundle of nerves! Jumped at the slightest thing. I don’t work so it was easier with him but I do have to do the schhol run, shoppping etc, and go out to friends.
I leave the radio on, but I just leave the house, I don’t make a fuss or anything, he just goes to bed – if the sun is shining he sunbathes in the playroom (he can also see all the comings and goings from the close where I live)
When I get back I give him a big love and a treat, your dog will get used to the routine and know that if she is good she will get a treat.
My vet told me not to leave him toys as they chew and could choke when you are not there, play time should be together, shared not alone as well. Try not to confuse human emotions with your doggy!
Try leaving something on her bed that has your scent on it it actually helps alot an old tshirt blanket stuff like that
Is she acting stressed when you leave her side? You can help her with separation anxiety by not rewarding her when she stresses. I know this may seem cruel, but dogs will not hold it against you! If your dog fears something or has separation anxiety, they need to deal with it! Showing a calm, but firm manner will go a long way to helping her. Do not reward her with attention when she is stressed, all you do is encourage (reward) that behavior. Reward a dog for behavior you want!
You’re not letting her down, you are probably the first person who has shown her kindness.
She will be o.k., just don’t make a fuss about leaving or coming back – don’t make an issue of it or do long goodbyes, that will make her know something bad is about to happen.
Just leave her toys and chewies, in her crate if you crate her, and say something like Mommy be back, whatever, don’t make a long story of it.
She will recognize the phrase and be reassured once she realizes you always come back.
Thanks for taking her in and loving her = sounds as if she was due a break and you are obviously it.
She will be fine. Toys, TV, radio. Good for you on rescuing and caring for her. Don’t worry too much. She just needs some love and time to adjust.
Your doing a good job…..sounds like she finally has a good home! Good luck!
This is just a suggestion (because I have a rescue dog that was suffering from separation anxiety):
I take her for a long walk before I leave for the day- this makes her kind of tired and calmed down.
I also leave her with a t-shirt or sweater, with my scent on it, in her dog bed as a sort of security blanket.
I leave the radio or TV on.
I leave her a big bone or a Kong toy (filled with her favorite treat).
This has worked for me.
Good Luck.
try putting an old jumper or something in her bed that belongs to you i did that with my dog i rescued 12 months ago worked for me and leaving your dog for a few hours shouldnt be a problem enjoy louby loo x
Wow, your dog is really lucky to have such a caring owner like you! The toys and radio are a really good idea. The ideal thing to do would be to have another dog to of similar size and nature to keep her company, but three hours isn’t too long so even if you don’t find a dog to keep her company she should be fine. You obviously care for her a lot, it is really nice to hear of people who rescue dogs,i have a rescue dog aswell, they are the best!!!! Good luck!