Separation Anxiety

ilovedogs

New Member
I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions for separation anxiety. As far as I know it doesn't affect my dogs but I have a neighbour with `Buster' a rescued border collie dog - probably about 5 or 6 years old. The neighbour leaves him on the verandah when she's out and he whines and barks until she returns. I know he is not a house dog but is given heaps of love and care - who could blame him really for missing her after he's probably had bad treatment in the past. Any ideas??:unsure:
 

karleee

Experienced Member
simple things such as leaving out his fav toys,leaving on the radio or tv (so it's like somebody's home),or the more expensive option;geting a new friend could all help :)
 

fickla

Experienced Member
SA really sucks and is a ton of work. The book "I'll be Home Soon" by PAtricia McConnell is fabulous and so is Nicole Wilde's newer book on it (i forget the title).

If it's more boredom than true SA, then simple things such as leaving the dog his breakfast stuffed in a frozen kong, other food toys, and more exercise can help.
 

Bosun

Well-Known Member
Is the owner aware of the problem? How long from departure to reactions?

I like to find "break points" for a dog and work from there. If the dog is fine for 15 minutes then starts, have th owner go for 10 minutes and return BEFORE the dog reacts. You know the drill about re-entering the home and no attention for 5 minutes. Repeat (many times) then start adding 1 minute more... repeat.... I *believe* that once your pas the 20 minute mark you can up the anti by 5 minute markers.

My guess is, that if the dog is taking a while to react, it's more boredom related and i highly agree with the kong suggestion. Stuff it, freeze it... give the dog a job. In my opinion a border collie is a highly intelligent and mother nature programmed them to be inter-dependent on human relationships. Being alone is a tough thing for this dog I'd bet. Add to that the past he has and his behaviour is perfectly reasonable.These dogs were meant to herd all day long, running, thinking, working. An afternoon on a veranda, most likely is not cutting it!

One of those balls that you fill with kibble and they have to roll it around to get their food is another time occupier. A plastic pool filled with water and his toys floating in it.... once that gets old, fill it with sand and bury the toys. Hiding the toys under a beach towel may give the dog something to think about.

Either way, separation anxiety or boredom, the problem will not go away on its own.
 
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