Advice Pleeeease!

[debbiedaywalker]

Dexter has never really liked being on his own (we relented to having him sleep in our bedroom after 4 months of nights barking) and he seemed to cope fairly well during the day (I leave him 1-3 hrs twice a day to go to work).  But he has gradually began to get more and more distressed during the day now too.

I have done everything I can to to avoid Separation Anxiety (SA), it was my biggest fear about getting a cocker pup. I keep hoping that he will grow out of it, he'll be one on the 22nd july.

We have been considering getting him a friend (he loves other dogs) does anyone have any exp of this helping? or am I letting myself in for double trouble? would Dex pass SA onto his new friend? Or would he be happy with his canine companion until the human half of the pack come home?

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated, It would be lovely to have another cocker (and oh didn't need too much persuading either) but I don't think it would be fair on the poor neighbours to have TWO barking dogs! Not to mention my stress levels!

[debbiedaywalker]

Whoops just noticed this is in the wrong place!

[spanielcrazy]

I always think two is better than one  I do think two dogs keep each other company, as long as they get along, and no, I dont think Dexter will pass on his SA 

[Cob-Web]

Have you seen a behaviourist who has "diagnosed" SA - and worked with Dexter to improve the situation ?  He is clearly a stressed doggy in certain situations at the moment, and a behaviourist will be able to help you and him cope with that.

I would be hesitant to ever bring another dog into a household where an established dog has a behavioural problem, tbh - even if Dexter doesn't pass on his behaviour, he may not improve, and you will not be able to focus entirely on Dexter and his problem as you will have another dog to commit time to, as well 

[Helen]

I agree with cob-web, I don't think you should buy another dog to 'cure' a problem - I think that should be sorted first before your new arrival and you should seek behavioural help 

[debbiedaywalker]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to me. 

Dexter is not under a behaviourist, I haven't gone down that road yet.  He doesn't have all the symptons of SA, i.e following me everywhere (I have gradually built up his 'time on his own' when I'm at home, so much so that he is happy to be apart from me for an hour or so).  He also doesn't get stressed and anxious as I'm about to leave, in fact he quite happily gets into his pen.  He is always walked (at least half an hour, twice a day) I  do some training exercises most days, he has toys, chews and stuffed kong, dap diffuser, radio on, I don't fuss him before I go or when I come back in.  The time he is left varies from an hour to a max of three hours.  I just think that he doesn't like being an only dog, and I am in the very lucky position of being able to get another dog (we're moving to a bigger place with a large garden soon). 

[Helen]

Dexter has never really liked being on his own (we relented to having him sleep in our bedroom after 4 months of nights barking) and he seemed to cope fairly well during the day (I leave him 1-3 hrs twice a day to go to work).  But he has gradually began to get more and more distressed during the day now too.

I have done everything I can to to avoid Separation Anxiety (SA), it was my biggest fear about getting a cocker pup. I keep hoping that he will grow out of it, he'll be one on the 22nd july.

We have been considering getting him a friend (he loves other dogs) does anyone have any exp of this helping? or am I letting myself in for double trouble? would Dex pass SA onto his new friend? Or would he be happy with his canine companion until the human half of the pack come home?

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated, It would be lovely to have another cocker (and oh didn't need too much persuading either) but I don't think it would be fair on the poor neighbours to have TWO barking dogs! Not to mention my stress levels!

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to me. 

Dexter is not under a behaviourist, I haven't gone down that road yet.  He doesn't have all the symptons of SA, i.e following me everywhere (I have gradually built up his 'time on his own' when I'm at home, so much so that he is happy to be apart from me for an hour or so).  He also doesn't get stressed and anxious as I'm about to leave, in fact he quite happily gets into his pen.  He is always walked (at least half an hour, twice a day) I  do some training exercises most days, he has toys, chews and stuffed kong, dap diffuser, radio on, I don't fuss him before I go or when I come back in.  The time he is left varies from an hour to a max of three hours.  I just think that he doesn't like being an only dog, and I am in the very lucky position of being able to get another dog (we're moving to a bigger place with a large garden soon). 

sorry but these 2 posts completely contradict each other

[Karma]

I have to say that I am a little confused... 

If he is happy to spend some time on his own when you are about and content when you leave, what makes you say he doesn't like being on his own and may have SA??
What behaviour is indicating to you that he has a problem or is stressed in some way?

I think knowing what exactly the problem is might help people to give more effective advise... 

[debbiedaywalker]

Sorry everyone! I didn't explain properly that Dexter is all in a lather when I arrive home and my neighbour has mentioned that he barks alot when I'm out.  But he doesn't seem to have full SA, as he is happy on his own when we are in another part of the house, and doesn't get stressed as I/we leave.

Apart from this he is a very confident, well adjusted young dog.  He is also very bright and active and he loves ALL other dogs, children and adults. 

[Nicola]

If Dexter has always been an only dog and knows no different then it is human company that he is craving when you go out and I would also be reluctant to bring another dog into the equation until you get this sorted out. Also Dexter is still young at under a year old and the general advice is that the 'ideal' time to introduce a new puppy is when your existing dog has matured at around 18-24 months old when any training/adolescence issues are generally sorted. At his age Dexter could still be well in his adolescent phase and this can mean the development or escalation of behavioural and/or training issues. 

Two dogs can be company for each other but they can also pass 'bad' habits on to each other and there is a risk you could end up with two anxious, barking dogs. One of your posts mentions you leave him in a pen, how big is it and have you considered giving him the run of the house/downstairs/a room when you go out instead? My lot like to sit and look out the windows when we're not here. If you have or can borrow a video camera I would leave it on when you go out one day so you can see what Dexter does and how he acts when you're gone and this might help you to understand what the issues reallly are.

[debbiedaywalker]

Yes Nicola, I tried giving him the freedom of the kitchen, once he was crate trained but he scratched grooves in the floor.  So I bought a large pen to confine him to a smaller area, where I can protect the floor with large rugs.  We are moving in about a month, where Dex will have his own room (with a concrete floor). 
I've more or less decided to wait until we've sorted this problem before getting another dog.   

[debbiedaywalker]

I will be trying the video camera, Nicola, that's a great idea, thank you.

[Top Barks]

Is there destruction at points of entry? Ie door frames etc?
I would expect to see this if it was SA.
Most SA occurs in the short time ater you leave but if your dog is not showing anxiety as you get ready then it really does not fit.
It could easily be boredom or frustration.
Is he being well exercised before you leave him?

[debbiedaywalker]

Yes Mark, he scratched the floor by the kitchen door opening.  I did wonder if it is boredom, although, he is walked twice a day (offlead running) for about 35 mins. I also do training most days (which he loves).  He has lots of playtime, (he is an only dog - no kids) he just doesn't settle while I'm at work (1-3 hrs max, twice a day). 

 

[Karma]

I know at around 11 months Honey was at her most destructive... but with her it really was more boredom/teenager-dom than anything approaching SA.

We have scratched doors, and the fireplace is a little chewed (the doors were rather more from mornings when she decided it's time for us to get up than when she was left), and she destroyed our sofa bed matress... but she would do this to a degree when we were there too...

We used to try and do some fairly intensive training before going out (as well as her morning walk) as this would really tire her out... but as she has matured she really doesn't need this now (we still do plenty at other times of the day).  This time last year every lunchbreak was spent on serious play or training, or a combination of both.  Now we just potter around the garden and enjoy each other's company...