seperation

[kittywoo]

we have just got a labrador from a rescue home. he is a very loving dog and loves to play at the moment he follows me everywhere i cant even go to the loo alone he gets very nervous when we go out and wont stop barking. we have only left him for ten mins so far to pop down the shop and on our return he was in the same place barking. he wont sleep through the night and wants to go for a walk at 4 am he keeps jumping on the bed till i get up. he is a very rewarding dog but could do with a bit of advice on his behavior? thanks very much

[loza]

He has more than likely been abandoned and thats why he feels wen u leave u wont be coming back. Try going out of the house for 10 mins at a time and returning within a short while with a treat for him. After a while make the outings last a while longer until he realises that you are coming back, however each time you return make him aware your not happy with the barking telll him 'NO' in a stern voice and only when hes quiet give him a treat. He will soon realise that when u go out if he stays quiet, on your return he'll get a reward! hope this helps

[kittywoo]

thankyou loza
we will give it try...

[kita1]

If you tell him off every time you return that will make him more anxious. He will not understand that the 'NO' is telling him off for barking, any reprimand has to be instantaneous. Try not going back into the house whilst he is barking, wait for a bit of quiet then go in and praise him. Don't make a fuss when you are going out of the door, try not to let him see you leaving if possible. (I used to sneak out the back door, my dog did not even know I had gone!).

How long have you had him? How old is he? How much exercise do you give him?

He needs to be occupied mentally and physically. You could try a dog Kong stuffed with food and treats like cheese etc. give it to him when you leave him. That way he will be trying to get the food out of the Kong and will not have time to bark.

You could also try training classes or agility with him. Some rescue centres also offer ongoing advice/training, try giving the centre you got him from a ring and see if they have any suggestions.

[kittywoo]

hi kita1
we have had a couple of days now. thanks for the advice all gratefully recived hes about two and a half. we have had to rename him as he did not have any tags when he was found. he has picked up his new name already. we walk him 3 times a day at least my partner works night so he is here in the day whilst im at work. i know i cant expect him to settle straight away. i just dont like to think of him upset and stressed when we do have to leave him for a while..

thankyou

[kita1]

Two days is very new, it usually takes about 2 weeks for them to settle into a new home.

He is probably still very much in the kennel routine (I presume he was in kennels), he needs to get into a set routine. Also if they are kennelled with other dogs around them they learn to bark LOUD to get attention. My dog used to try jumping on me at 4am, he soon stopped when he heard the bad language! Seriously, he will settle down, just be persistent. DON'T whatever you do feel sorry for him, what you let him do now he will continue to do. This is day three of his new life, the rules are set now, start as you mean to go on.

Labs love food so a Kong stuffed with cheese and paste and anything else he might find attractive will almost certainly keep him occupied. Also when you are out take a pocket full of treats and train him (even sit, wait, down etc.). As he becomes more secure around you and realises he is here to stay he will settle more. (Imagine if someone came and took you from your house without saying a word and dumped you in a big mansion house then left you all alone! Imagine how scary that would be, you don't know where anything is, if anyone else is in there or anything, or if anyone is going to come back!). Leave him in one room, where he has a bed and feels secure.

I am sure he will settle soon and you will have a lovely companion! Good on you for taking on a rescue!

[whiskysplits]

Hi There,

I have three labs and they are the best breed by far, just reading your concerns and I can guarantee that once his trust in you developes (which wont be long) He will settle down and adopt your routine. Dogs have to be left at some stage or other and the barking is definately an anxiety thing but soon enough he will understand that you are always going to come home. Have you thought about getting another dog or even a cat? Just for company? Just a thought?