Teddy's anxiety

Want to know something about training your Schnauzer. Feel free to browse through this section. You will find everything from toilet training, recall and other training issues covered here. Feel free to ask your own questions too. You will have a perfectly behaved Schnauzer in no time.
Post Reply
User avatar
Teddy2017
Posts: 3
Joined: 06 Apr 2018, 12:59
First Name: Caro
Dog #1: Teddy
is a: Black Mini Dog
Born: 19 Dec 2017
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Teddy's anxiety

Post by Teddy2017 »

Quick question... How do I help my pup (Teddy) to not have anxiety when left alone for a couple of hours. He drools, barks, shakes... I come back sometimes from a 2 hour appointment to a puddle of saliva. Quite sad. He cries on my arrival and doesn't stop right away. Wants to be on my lap for reassurance I'm not leaving again...
I have soft calming dog music for when I leave for a couple of hours. I leave toys, bone, some water (NAME IT! lol) Help / tips needed :o3
User avatar
Riesen16
Member
Posts: 187
Joined: 04 Jun 2016, 12:54
First Name: Gillian
Dog #1: Enya von Amber
is a: P/S Giant Bitch
Born: 30 Sep 2015
Location: Switzerland

Re: Teddy's anxiety

Post by Riesen16 »

Maybe a dog box would be good for him. You could put his favourite towel or rug in it. Don't leave him many chewy toys etc. unless you are sure they can't harm him.

You can also cover the box with a rug so that it is dark inside. You would have to get him used to it first of all and see how he reacts.

Let us know how you get on, please?

Gill
User avatar
zeta1454
Moderator
Posts: 5136
Joined: 19 May 2011, 16:58
First Name: Leigh
Dog #1: Magic
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 20 Apr 2010
Dog #2: Trilby
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Born: 15 Mar 2012
Dog #3: Pip
Born: 21 Feb 2014
is a: P/S Mini Bitch
Location: North Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: Teddy's anxiety

Post by zeta1454 »

If Teddy has not been gradually introduced to being left, it is natural that he will be anxious as he has no idea when, or even whether, you are going to return. Has he had any 'training' regarding being left alone - either when he was with the breeder or since you adopted him? Puppies have usually come from a close family set up with mum and siblings always around or nearby and going to a new home with different routines and where they may be the only dog is quite a traumatic experience, especially if no socialisation and early training has been done by the breeder to prepare them for new experiences and time alone.

The best way to accustom a puppy to being left is to start by leaving him for just a very short period (a minute or two) and build up gradually to a longer time so that he learns that you going out is not abandonment but that you will return. Certainly leave safe chew/play items, background music playing, a cover over his crate etc but the most important thing is to teach him that you leaving does not mean you will not return and that is going to take time and patience. Try to ensure that Teddy has had a good play session and has been outside to toilet before you leave so he is ready to settle down for a nap but, if he is really suffering high anxiety and you do not have the time to accustom him to you leaving for long periods, you may need to consider a dog sitter (friend, family member or professional).
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
Trilby - Darksprite Rosa Bud


https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/C ... 916994967/
Oscar 12345
Member
Posts: 1592
Joined: 02 May 2017, 11:28
First Name: Julie
Dog #1: Oscar RIP Sweety
is a: P/S Mini Dog
Born: 21 Dec 2002
Dog #2: Otto
is a: B/S Mini Dog
Born: 04 Jul 2017

Re: Teddy's anxiety

Post by Oscar 12345 »

Does Teddy have a pen or given free access to a room when you are out? A pen makes a pup feel secure I think and you are better able to control what happens when you come home if pup is confined. If note some pups can pace endlessly and get very stressed. The most useful thing I have found is a kong filled with nice food/treats. That keeps my boy happy for quite a long time helped with a piece of apple wedged in the hole to prevent everything coming out straight away. He enjoys it so much he doesn't even notice when we have left. If you have a pen you can give him a kong whilst you are in the house, keep popping in and out of the room but don't stay with him. Keep doing this until he is quite happy and calm when you are in another room. Then you can progress to going out. I try to replicate what the environment is like when Otto is going to bed at night (with a light on if dark though). As soon as he has finished terrorising his kong he sleeps and waits for us to come home. Also, if you have a pen, don't make a fuss when you come in. Act nonchalantly and don't let him out immediately and don't try to reassure as you should be trying to give the impression there is absolutely nothing to worry about. This is fixable Caro with a good plan as he is such a young dog.

PS. welcome to the forum
Man cannot survive with wine alone...
we also need a schnauzer.
Post Reply