Help with Barking and Howling When Left Alone

[Neacy]

For the last 3 months Harvey has had someone with him all the time, this morning I went shopping, OH was at work and son was in bed asleep with his bedroom door shut, when I came in from shopping son said to me Harvey had woken him, he was constantly barking and howling, son called to him and he was then fine, after putting shopping away, both son and I went out, when I came back 20 minutes I could hear him howling down by where I had parked my car, son came in so I said to him lets both go outside and see if he barks and howls within a minute he was barking and howling, he has never done this before, so it has made me anxious about leaving him alone, when I do go out I make sure at least 1 cat is with him, the lamps are on and he has the TV left on, he is not left in 1 room he has the run of the house, any suggestions would be helpful.

[Cob-Web]

You might have to go back to basics if he has not been left at all for a period of time.  Start by leaving him for just a few seconds, several times an hour, over and over again, going back into the room if he is quiet, but not making eye contact or speaking to him every time (pop the kettle on or something like that).   Carry on as if it is perfectly normal for you to pop in and out - make it part of your routine for a few days 

Slowly, over a period of days and weeks you can build up the time he is left - but imo, the important thing in this case is not the length of time he is left, but the frequency with which it happens; the idea is that if you leave and re-enter a room he is in repeatedly, it slowly becomes less of a big deal for him, and he will learn to settle until you come back 

Try not to let him follow you around the house - change your routine so you shut the bathroom door without him in there with you, and pop upstairs to fetch laundry etc without him rather than having a little shadow at your heels 

[debbie321]

I really feel for you as this has been an ongoing battle with Ben.  He's nearly 3 now and still has the odd barking and howling phases.

I'll give you the advice that I received - try them and see if they work for you?

Practice getting ready to go out - coat on, keys at the ready, all the usual stuff you do before leaving ................ and then don't go anywhere.  Don't make a fuss of Harvey at all.  Do this for a week or so and then progress to going out the door and straight back in ..................... then go out for a few seconds - minutes etc.  The neighbours will think you're mad though!

Try a DAP diffuser - you can get refills and they last about 4 weeks.

Leave treats dotted around the house (unless he's crated of course).  My trainer offered me a machine that gave treats at random just to take his mind off the fact that he's alone.

If you come back home and he's barking/howling.  Don't let him know your there until he's quiet.  It might only be for a few seconds but he has to know that you appear when he's not shouting.  I've done this and it's not easy creeping in and waiting for him to stop 

Someone will be along with more advice or totally different advice!  Try things out and see what works for you.  Also try not to get anxious when you leave or are rushing home .............. I used to swear at every red light when I drove home   

[mezzamo]

What Debbie said!

This is the same advice the behaviourist gave to us as Romeo had quite severe separation anxiety, we have put this in to practice over several months and he is now much better though he still has some issues.  We also use a tape of me and OH talking which is on repeat for him to listen to and leave blankets with our scent on for him. We also use a Dap diffuser and Dap wipes on his bed etc

[Winnie]

Winnie used to do this too and I followed all the good advice that has been already suggested. In addition I totally ignored her when I returned home. She tries every trick in the book to get my attention but I totally ignore her until she really settles down...just sitting quietly is not enough..I have to wait until she is totally relaxed. It took ages at the beginning but is relatively quick now and she seems generally more relaxed. If I go back to fussing her when I come in then I notice that her behaviour starts to get worse again.

[Neacy]

I have been doing what has been suggested, but he is still howling, I have spoken to neighbours, they said they are fine with it , because they know I won't be out for hours on end, one neighbour said she would pop in to see him, I said no as I want to carry on with what I am doing, he will learn, I know it will take time, I'm just grateful my neighbours are understanding, thanks for your suggestions and help

[lopey99]

we have cassie 7 weeks now and she is left for several of hours each day while we're at work, when we brought her home we took about 2 weeks off to get her used to a routine of being left alone. from day 1 we started leaving her in her pen for 2 minutes while we were in the room and built it up until it didnt bother her anymore then we started all over again whilst out of the room and built the time up. Dont get me wrong it wasnt easy she was a tiny tiny pup but boy could she howl and it got to the point where i wondered what have i got myself into. gradually she quietened and settled, she now knows her morning routine walk, food, play time to tire her out then we have quiet time for 5 mins where i get ready to go and as soon as i knock radio on, close kitchen blind and put her treats in her pen she goes in and i sneak out.

We're amazed she's settled so quickly but it took alot of persistence and tears, i would put an old t-shirt of yours in with her and try ignoring her when you come home its hard but it works, another thing we read was when you come home take your coat bag etc off before you go get her as it doesnt look as if you've been out, it looks as if everything is normal and you've just been in next room, dont know how much it helps but everything is worth a try.

hope she settles soon, its probably just a big shock for her to be on her own after having someone around all day, she'll just need to get used to playing on her own, i think cassie gets a bit annoyed now when we're in the house with her at weekends, if she doesnt get her sleep she gets very hyper and bites quite a bit as if to say get out and give me peace so its a good time for us to go have a nice sunday lunch somewhere.

good luck!