Dog owners

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Replies

  • SarabellPlus3
    SarabellPlus3 Posts: 496 Member
    I second (third?) the crate-training suggestion. It feels hard to leave them in crates, but really, it's for the best sometimes- him being a nervous wreck isn't any good for him. I know he barked in the past, did that happen many days, or just one? I'm wondering if it's something he'd realize didn't work, then stop with the barking (at least for the time that you're gone-- most dogs bark when they know you can still hear them). You said you're moving to a house soon? If you can't test that in an apartment because the barking would disturb others, maybe it won't bother the neighbors when you're in a house, and you can give it a try.
    Otherwise, I second the suggestion to at least check out some web resources, if a trainer can't be budgeted.
    Another point is, he's 2, a lot of dogs start growing up at 2, kwim? Hopefully he's on that path!

    I love German shepherds... SO MUCH. They are awesome dogs. But they're SO smart, and SO loyal, and SO loving to their family, that there are so many factors you have to consider. I had a GSD mix, Atlas, she was such a wonderful girl! She died 4 years ago, and I miss her every day.
  • AZTrailRunner
    AZTrailRunner Posts: 1,199 Member
    And by no means did I mean to discount the advice of anyone on this forum. My apologies if I gave off that vibe. I just meant that sound training advice comes from a thorough understanding of the entire situation, which is usually obtained through a multiple-hour discussion of the dog's history and previous training methods. No one can get enough necessary information from a few paragraphs.

    Peace. :happy:
  • XxXskinnyMiniXxX
    XxXskinnyMiniXxX Posts: 325
    I second (third?) the crate-training suggestion. It feels hard to leave them in crates, but really, it's for the best sometimes- him being a nervous wreck isn't any good for him. I know he barked in the past, did that happen many days, or just one? I'm wondering if it's something he'd realize didn't work, then stop with the barking (at least for the time that you're gone-- most dogs bark when they know you can still hear them). You said you're moving to a house soon? If you can't test that in an apartment because the barking would disturb others, maybe it won't bother the neighbors when you're in a house, and you can give it a try.
    Otherwise, I second the suggestion to at least check out some web resources, if a trainer can't be budgeted.
    Another point is, he's 2, a lot of dogs start growing up at 2, kwim? Hopefully he's on that path!

    I love German shepherds... SO MUCH. They are awesome dogs. But they're SO smart, and SO loyal, and SO loving to their family, that there are so many factors you have to consider. I had a GSD mix, Atlas, she was such a wonderful girl! She died 4 years ago, and I miss her every day.
    awe it always makes me sad to hear someone lost a pet :( But yeah will give crate training another go. I know it works wonders.
  • XxXskinnyMiniXxX
    XxXskinnyMiniXxX Posts: 325
    Just wanted to thank everyone for all the good advice on furthering our training with buster and his anxiety. I really appreciate all of you taking the time to help and reply. As for the people that said we were training him wrong and being irresponsible and bad dog owners well.........:grumble:
  • rockabillymama
    rockabillymama Posts: 117 Member
    we have an irish setter/blue tick heeler mix, and he's been trained for tracking, and when he's inside he gets a little stir crazy esspecially with our corgi being 10 and himself just turning two. I found that they have these WONDERFUL treat puzzle boxes for dogs, and we got a couple of those and it keeps him very busy. also we'll "hide"things around the house with certain scents we've trained him with, like a ball or a stuffed animal. give him something to keep him busy when you're gone
  • XxXskinnyMiniXxX
    XxXskinnyMiniXxX Posts: 325
    we have an irish setter/blue tick heeler mix, and he's been trained for tracking, and when he's inside he gets a little stir crazy esspecially with our corgi being 10 and himself just turning two. I found that they have these WONDERFUL treat puzzle boxes for dogs, and we got a couple of those and it keeps him very busy. also we'll "hide"things around the house with certain scents we've trained him with, like a ball or a stuffed animal. give him something to keep him busy when you're gone
    Treat puzzle boxes? May I ask where you got these from?
  • healthyquest
    healthyquest Posts: 2
    I've read about this because my dog has separation issues too. I read that putting them in a kennel helps them because they have that as a safe place, that way they aren't wandering through the house worrying and worrying about what you're doing and why you're not there, they are confined and have to relax. And also before you leave don't look at him, just go about getting ready without acknowledging him, and when you get home wait for him to calm down before you acknowledge him again. I know it's super hard but it's really helped me with my dogs issues.
  • KEShikes
    KEShikes Posts: 99 Member
    I have 2 German shepherds (age 10 and almost 3, both males). The most important thing to remember is that they are herding dogs - shepHERD. They want their flock (which includes you) to be together...they love routine, keeping really busy, jobs, and knowing what to do. As long as they know what to expect, their anxiety will diminish, but they will always be excited when you return!
  • olso123
    olso123 Posts: 192 Member
    Not sure what they are called but there are some vests that dogs wear that helps with anxiety, if you google pet anxiety they should come up. I know they help with storm anxiety not sure about seperation anxiety.

    They are called Thunder vest or thundershirt. I had one dog that the vest did work for and another dog it didn't. It may be worth a try! Good luck!
  • Moeincognito
    Moeincognito Posts: 126
    Somedogs just wind up being nervous and things for no reason, my Jack Russell is super nervous, she's never been mistreated or anything like that but she's still really nervous, she shakes, and sometimes pee's the floor. For your dog, you just need to maybe introduce the person or people you want to mind them when you're away so the dog gets used to them and enjoys their company. /sorry if its a bad idea; ;
  • justsummie
    justsummie Posts: 320 Member


    You're saying your dog is like your child. So if you brought a child into your home and he needed professional intervention, you wouldn't do it because you needed the money to buy a house?

    Do you realize how many PEOPLE go without proper medical or mental health care because they can't afford it? Being strapped for cash doesn't make someone a bad pet-parent.
  • sparky38351
    sparky38351 Posts: 53
    We have a female shepherd mix who we rescued that for the first 3 months whenever we'd crate her and leave she would almost go into anxiety attack mode. We fixed hers by making us leaving seem like a great thing. We wouldn't show her any attention for about 10 minutes prior to leaving then tell her to load up. As soon as she hit the crate she got a bone, a huge kong full of frozen peanut butter and the tv was turned on. Whe we came home, we would let her out but paid no attention to her for 10-15m so she'd calm down. It worked wonders! Every dog is different however, so you just gotta find what works for you!
  • sangelic
    sangelic Posts: 207


    You're saying your dog is like your child. So if you brought a child into your home and he needed professional intervention, you wouldn't do it because you needed the money to buy a house?

    Do you realize how many PEOPLE go without proper medical or mental health care because they can't afford it? Being strapped for cash doesn't make someone a bad pet-parent.

    ^^Agree! I've worked in animals shelters for the past 6 years, just because they don't have the means for a trainer/behaviorist does NOT make her a bad pet parent. She obviously cares about her dog and is trying to seek advice to help her out in her situation. There are a lot of people who wouldn't put up with this behavior and automatically take their dog to the local shelter. I THANK YOU for NOT being one of those people.

    I also would suggest crate training. If all he does is whine or bark while he's in there you can try to ease him into it with short sessions in and out of the crate while you're at home. If he's actually hurting himself trying to break free of the crate then I wouldn't suggest it. Also I second whoever mentioned being very low-key when you come home and he's been alone. If you make a big production of coming home and getting him all excited that's all the more reason for him to be nervous when you both leave.
  • 1953Judith
    1953Judith Posts: 325 Member
    Three years ago I adopted a three year old border collie from the Humane Society, a sweetheart in everyway, but one -- total thunder terror and terror of loud noises. Like you, we did not cause the problem, but we are responsible for the solution. The terror is heartbreaking. We have not totally resolved the terror, but we have found ways to mitigate. I would like to echo some suggestions previously made:

    1. The professional trainer recommended utilizing books from professionals. I'd recommend checking out a few from the library and seeing if there is one that has a program you are comfortable with, before you purchase the book. Once you embark on a program you need to follow the healthy slow pace of the recommended course of action no matter how inconvenient or difficult (parallel to the discipline needed for we humans with problems to get fit and healthy).

    2. Check with your vet to see if they have recommendations.

    3. The thundershirt seems to ease some of the physical symptoms for our dog.

    4. Kenneling. This was the hardest discipline for us to get, but you can lose a lot of sleep trying to useless comfort a frantic dog. Eventually he calms. A kong filled with frozen peanut butter or canned dog food is a delightful treat to have in the kennel.

    Our dog brings us much job. I wish we could make things perfect for him, but this is one area where we have to settle with a less than perfect solution.

    With regard to the money for trainers, I understand completely. I do try to put a little money away each month in a "Christmas Account" in case he has an unexpected emergency. I have also lined up two households willing to take him (with full disclosure and experience with his thunder terror) in the event that my husband and I no longer can for any reason.
  • lindseytienhaara
    lindseytienhaara Posts: 10
    I think a lot of dogs can feel stressed when their owners leave them alone for a little while. And some just handle it better than others! Is there anywhere in your house your dog goes to lay down at a lot? That place may be his safe spot. Like the crate. Or is there any toy stuffed animal he plays with more that others? If so try putting that in the crate with him. Also like someone else posted...some type of clothing with your scent on it to help him relax that way. Keep working with him to see what helps! Also it would be a good idea to not act like it is a big deal your leaving and give him a bone or treat when you do so then he will have something to look forward to when you do leave. And first try leaving for a few minutes and then come back in and do not act different towards him. When you keep doing these things over and over again he should soon realize its no big deal. But if it gets worse and he is really stressed still even after all your training then maybe talk to your vet about a natural calming supplement. This may help him as well! Good luck
  • exploremore2011
    exploremore2011 Posts: 22
    Oh honey I so feel for you.........We had a German Shepard I got her when she was one. She would tear up everything when we left the house. I'm taking blinds, she went through a window, ate the walls, the dog door and chewed through doors. She was dog aggressive, I even had two small dogs with her that she was fine with. She also was able to clear a six foot fence. My husband had enough after her third dog attack, jumping the fence to get to them. I had to rehome her after working with her for 5 years. She went to someone who used to work with them and train them for agility. I love her so much and miss her dearly. I hope you find a good solution and can keep him or find a really good place for him.

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