Advice? I have recently broken off a long term relationship/ engagement and now am working alot because I am supporting myself now. I went from a home where someone is always there to a home where I am only there in the afternoons. This has been about four months since the change and everyone seems to be adjusting fine except for Copper. I feel like the longer this goes on the more he is unhappy. He now hides the whole time I am gone, and some days I can tell he hasn't eaten the whole time I was gone either cause he runs to the food dish as soon as I get there and then eats. Other then this, his health has been really good, but I am starting to worry about him. He also seems more and more depressed. I do not have the option at this point to leave him with someone else while I am gone. He is here with Maddie but they pretty much ignore eachother, she sleeps the whole time and he hides. I pulled him out from under the couch today and he was tucked as far back as possible and a bit shakey. I also want to add that he wasn't like this when I would leave before, periodically. It is something that has been getting progressivly worse since I have been working. I would love any thoughts and ideas from everyone... Thanks:) |
Could you leave the TV or radio on while you're gone? I know they make special CDs for dogs, but I'm not sure how effective they are. What about the stuffed animals with heartbeats the people get for puppies, that might help. Would it be financially possible to send her to doggie daycare once a week? Sorry if these suggestions don't work. Good luck with everything. |
Maybe I will look in to the doggy CD just to try, I really am willing to try anything i just hate seeing him unhappy:(... Doggy daycare would make him a nervous mess otherwise I would try that too. He likes other dogs but doesn't do well in solitude or large numbers, he is more of a people dog;) Those are all good ideas thanks. |
Have you considered day care or a dog walker? |
I wonder if Maddie could be over dominating when you are gone. I wonder if an x-pen where he has his own space with his food and water might be worth a try. Many say crates and x pens are a place of comfort and safety, so maybe since this is a time of change and uncertainty for him, a step back to basics may be in order for him during the adjustment. Just a thought, I think the radio or tv is also a great idea for some noise. |
I doubt it but it is a possibility, she is so tiny, but very outgoing too. I will try seperating them tomarrow and see if that makes a difference. I would have never even thought of that, thanks:) |
Could you drop them off at somebody's house before you go to work? When I had my old Cocker Spaniel, he had bad seperation anxiety. I would take him to my grandmother's house. He even had his own toybox there. It was like his private doggie daycare. |
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Please, let us know how things go. We're here for you!! Best wishes |
I go along with the crate idea. As long as they're properly trained to it, it gives them a really strong feeling of security. They know they're safe in there and that enables them to relax. Also, I don't know if you can get things like this over there, but they're supposed to really help some animals. Bestpet Pharmacy - Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) Plug-in |
I know exactly where you're coming from - I went from a nice 3 bedroom house to an apartment and me having to work full time (a 9 hour day) after losing my husband to a terminal illness.....:( I don't know what I'd do without my job but life turned upside down for me when he died..... it's a big adjustment no matter how you look at it - many non dog people dont understand it but even after 2-1.2 years of me working full time - my 2 girls still are NOT used to it. They don't eat or drink when I'm not here and just wait by the door all day.....(my son lived with me for a while and told me all this):( Keep showing them lots of attention and eventually they'll understand you are coming back but some adjust faster than others.....mine are not in that catagory unfortunatly |
If you go with the crate idea, maybe you could put something of yours in the crate so he can smell you when you're gone. Good luck, I hope things get better:) |
Poor guy; lots of changes for him. New home, you at work, your partner not there anymore, time by himself....I guess he needs time to adjust. I would try the ex-pen but also see if someone could come in and take him for a walk. And I'm sorry for the changes in your life, too. |
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