My Beautiful Puppy Alfie..... the Terror!

[Ruth Mills]

I'd definitely recommend Dogster too, Dog breed, adoption, health & care information at Dogster. Photo, video, sharing community for dogs

When you say that your puppy grew out of his crate, have you tried one of the bigger dog crates that are available? We have one here that is big enough to get a St Bernard in.

We haven't had this particular problem with any of our dogs so far, but we've always had adult dogs rather than puppies (my wife is disabled and would not be able to cope with a boisterous puppy).

Ruth

 

[soriminah]

In the end, after a suggestion from someone else, I got another dog!!! :lol: Thinking about it now I was very lucky it worked out I could have ended up with two dogs the same, however Aleigh was carefully chosen for her nature and Jade is no longer a problem. She doesn't even bother getting up when I leave now.

I'm of the same opinion. Dogs are pack animals meaning they are never left alone from the day they are born. To be with your 'pack' and then have them leave on you must be a terrifying thought for a puppy who has never been alone before. If you have 1 dog, you should be home the majority of the day with them, otherwise you need to get a friend for it.

I have 2 dogs for this reason. When I got my Kelpie she was given to me by someone who no longer wanted her and because I was working 6 days a week, it wasn't fair on her to be left alone for such long periods. Shortly after I ended up with a second rescue dog, a labrador. I'm dreading the day the Kelpie dies (she's 11 in April) because the Lab (9) will be beside herself. They hate being apart. Even in winter they sleep in the same bed at times. When taking either to the vet I have to take the other because they don't like being left alone.

I was recently watching a DVD of Jan Fennell who calls herself the Dog Listener. She's also written 5 books. You could check out her books.

 

[Joannesnails]

My sisters dog is a little simular she get very down and depressed when my sister goes out, so what my sister is doing is leaving a blanket or a piece of clothing for the dog to lay on which has my sister smell on it. maybe you could try that? and i think the dog may be used to you being around so much so when you do go out he will whine as he isnt used to it.xx

hths

 

[Sassy Hassy]

Just a thought as I am no dog expert, but when I got my American cocker spaniel the breeder would only let us have him as long as we promised we would take him on DAILY long walks. They need lots of exercise and stimulation ... it could just be that your puppy has too much energy and is just plain bored on its own.

Take it on some knackering walks and when you get back home leave it 15 minutes or so (so that it doesn´t associate long walks and their return with being left alone) and then start to leave it on its own. Go out of the house for 5 minutes and when you return do not make a fuss of him at all. Then leave it another 15 minutes and do it again. You should gradually be able to build up the time you are apart. He will hopefully be able to cope with you coming and going and isn´t sat there pining waiting for the big fuss when you return.

I also found with my cocker that he hates being shut in without being able to see outside. He will scratch at the door mercifully if he feels trapped inside and can´t see out! Don´t know if that is a breed trait or just him though!

BTW that is him in my avatar with my geek hat on!

 

[cherubs]

Hi, if it's any consolation my neighbour has a cocker puppy (now 5 months old) and he was a real bugger!! he would bark/cry/whine constantly until she came home from work, and also at night when left on his own to sleep. My neighbour really perservered with him especially at night just ignoring him, in the day when she had no choice but to go to work (she only works 9-1) i'd go in and check on him and he was fine. He's now well behaved and doesn't make a sound when she leaves the house for work, he even puts himself to bed at nightime when he's had enough :lol:
I know what your going through, I too have a 5 month old cavalier king charles spaniel, luckily he's been brilliant he hasn't cried once since we've had him although we also have another cavvie 18 month old charlie I'm not saying get another (blimey 2 puppies)!! BUT I think it definately made a huge difference in helping Bailey to settle in.
I really feel for you as I know what my neighbour went through, be firm it won't last forever :hug:

 

[wardo]

Hello iv been reading this site for a while but felt I needed to reply to this post!!
First of all please, please don’t use a spray on a puppy, they are for extreme problems only.
I train dogs and have also just homed a litter of border collies. Ok first question….. Is the puppy cage trained? I always cage train my puppies and keep them in there to sleep and when I’m not in the house, until they are at least 6 months old. My last litter are all cage trained and went to their new homes with out a problem. The cage should be your puppies “safe” home, you feed them in there give them toys in there etc.. it takes a little work but its worth it. 2nd question do you give the puppy lots of praise when you enter the room? If you do then stop, you should pay no attention to the puppy until he has settled, you are rewarding the calm. I always give mine some kind of reward for going in the cage and to distract them while I leave (kongs are great for this) ok 3rd where does puppy sleep? If he is in your room , move him out and get ready for a sleepless night! Never go back to a puppy that is crying, he is training you!! Reward him for been calm not crying! Hope that all made sence. Good luck!:lol: