From: kathode@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Kathleen M. Lau)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: new doggie help (separation anxiety)
Date: 10 Nov 92 21:55:04 GMT
Organization: Boeing Computer Services, Seattle


Hello r.p.d. folks.  I've been reading this group regularly ever since
I got Spoticus (aka der Spotster, the Spotted One, the Spotted Cus,
Puppy-Wumpus) from the Humane Society in the end of August.  He's a
neutered male about a year old, and the guess is that he's a Saluki/
Springer Spaniel mix (white w/ black blotches, Saluki shaped body,
docked tail).  They weren't totally sure because he was a stray.

Now that he's settled down at least a bit, maybe it's time to ask for
advice about some of the doggie problems I'm having.  First a little
background.  Initially I had him tied outside when I went to work,
but he whined and barked and howled the whole time and my neighbors
were ready to lynch me.  So I started leaving him in the house, and
lo and behold he was happy as a clam.  He doesn't mind sleeping in
his crate, but he goes through the whole anxiety attack scene if he's
left in it during the day for more than a couple of hours.  Problems
when he's in the house and I'm gone have usually only been a few shreaded
paper and plastic bags (guess I'd be bored too).  He does have a nylabone
and a ball and sometimes 1 or 2 of the cat keeps him company (never the
3rd though), but I guess shreading plastic and paper are just more fun.

Oddly enough, during the first 2 months when I had him (after I figured
out that indoors was the ticket) he was a model puppy dog, never stealing
anything off counters (including the cats' food) or shreading anything.
My guess is that he was on model behavior because he was afraid I wouldn't
keep him, and now that he knows I will, he's being more comfortable around
the house.  Dunno.

I would prefer to crate him during the day, but the guy who lives downstairs
from me doesn't exactly appreciate the whining puppy act after I'm gone.
I've got some smelly dog repellant stuff that seems to do the trick
(I spray it where I keep extra bags and the trash), unless he's feeling
particularly motivated enough.  Also there is no way to leave food out
unattended on the counters.  Obviously the repellant thing is not a
long term solution.  He knows stealing stuff off the counters and the
bags are wrong at least when I'm there, but how do I fix this when
I'm not there to correct him?

The other main problem is I suppose that he's still feeling some anxiety
after having been in the pound.  He goes through a major separation
trauma when I take him on even short errands to the post office, market,
or whatever, and barks and whines and howls the moment I leave him
(even if it's only for a minute).  Unfortunately in this country I
can't take him in with me like I could in other civilized countries...
What to do?  Will he eventually outgrow this?  I realize he's only
mentally still a puppy though physically he's a dog.  BTW, tonight
is doggie graduation in obedience class.  I think this has helped a
fair amount, though apparently not in the problems I described.

Well, this got a lot longer than I attended.  Looking forward to
reading your email or posted replies!  Thanks.

Kathy, Spoticus, and 3 felines:  Bobo, Pericles, and Thai-grr

kathode@espresso.boeing.com
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs