Settling Dave into a new house *update*

[danhodson]

Poor old Dave, just as he was starting to settle (I've had him 3 and a half months now) I'm having to move back in with my Mum due to breaking up with the girlfriend.

Dave has been to my Mums loads, and loves going there as he gets spoiled rotten and has a big garden to play zoomies in, so its not totally new to him.

However I am very worried about leaving him on his own, as he has only really just started being able to be left for more than an hour or so without getting SA or destructive, and has only just started settling properley at night and not whining to get me up at silly o'clock.

I take it taking all his beds with me and not washing them so it has a familiar smell may help? I'm going to try building up the time he is left on his own over the first weekend I'm back like I did when I first got him, I would have preffered to take a few days off work after that but can't.

Another thing I'm worried about is my Mums next door neighbour has a small yappy Bichon that Dave treats with utter contempt ;D but I'm worried that hearing this dog bark through the wall may unsettle him? The Bichon yaps like crazy everytime anything goes past the window.

Any tips or tricks that could help?

[Deleted]

First of all, sorry to hear of your break-up.

It sounds like you know pretty well what to do for Dave anyway. If you don't have one already, it could be worth trying a DAP collar to help keep him calm, but they're not cheap and don't work for all dogs so you might prefer to see if you need it first. A few drops of Rescue Remedy in his drinking water won't do any harm. The more relaxed you can be too, the more it will help him. Whatever the circumstances of the break-up it's bound to be upsetting and dogs pick up vibes so easily.

Otherwise, what you've suggested yourself is the same as I would have suggested. (As for the Bichon, if he's ignored it so far hopefully that will continue).

Good luck - no doubt others will be along with more ideas.

[Anthea]

So sorry to hear both you and Dave have to get used to a new environment and routine, got no tips or tricks for you just Hugs to both you and Dave x

[nataliesian]

Hey sorry to hear that :0( would it help to borrow our massive crate ? To help settle him- would give him a safe area .... Anyway offers their if it will help xxxxx

[julies]

Sorry to hear your life's changed I'd agree with nataliesian and use a crate until things settle down and Dave is confident at being left ... last thing you want is him to trash the house and upset the neighbours by howling Give him lots of long walks - an hour before you leave him and again at night when you come home so he's tired and more likely to sleep . put lots of little treats in his bedding in the crate and train him with it first so it's anice place to be- leave doors open, give him things to chew in there and then start gradually shutting the doors for ashort time .. leave him with a stuffed Kong or two so he's occupied ...
Good luck

Julie x

[danhodson]

Thanks for the advice and sympathy all

Thanks for the crate offer Natlie I decided to buy Dave a crate, remember I was telling you he was doing excitement wee's when he seen my car through the living room window after work, well I've had to keep him off the sofa and out of the living room during the day (poor Dave) but he has a nice comfy bed inside a crate in the dining room and he seems to chillax better in there when I'm out. I dont shut the crate door on him though, he seems to go in there of his own free will when were not in. Most importantly off all he doesnt wee at the sounds of me coming home and seems to greet me much more calmy.

I've got a DAP diffuser and some Rescue Remedy drops from when I was initially settling him, so will start using them again for a while. Dave is only 2 years old and full of beans so he gets an hour walk morning and night anyway - I wouldnt get any peace otherwise! ;D So will just continue with this and hopefully he should settle at my Mums ok.

[longdoglady]

Sorry you are having problems

Have you tried a DAP diffuser or collar with Dave? They are expensive but can help a dog through the stress of settling in. VetUK have them at a good price.

Good luck

[danhodson]

I tried a diffuser when I first got him, not sure if it made much difference though. The Bech Rescue Remedy drops definately helped him to settle at first.

[Milothemonster]

I am so sorry to hear of your situation.

I would only agree with what the others have already said.

A stuffed kong is a good idea as it may keep him occupied for a good while.

Is it feasible to get a dog walker to take him out for a walk while you are out.. that should tire him too.

I hope it all goes well for you both... hopefully Dave will surprise you. I know Herbie often does this with me. The things I think he may react badly too.. he often doesnt, but then there are things I think he'll be fine with and he freaks out with them.

So hopefully Dave will settle well with this...... do let us know how it goes!

[nataliesian]

great you solved that little wet problem ;0) let me know if theirs anything else i can help with and take care of ur self. I would say take care of Dave too but clearly your already doing fab job

[tamsin]

Just wanted to say good luck with settling Dave into a new place and a new routine. Haven't got any advice, as everything has been said but I'm sure that with time, he will be fine. He already knows his new environment so that's half the battle and he by the sounds of it, he has a lot of love and support (I've been following his updates on here)

Take care of yourself

[danhodson]

Well me and Dave made the move back to Mums this weekend, and he totally shocked me, in that he didn't seem bothered by it at all ;D He settles on his bed no problem while I go out, and to him it seems like nothings changed. Only downside is that now I have a double bed to myself he sneaks on every night and all weekend I've been waking up with his tail in my face, or his head on my back ;D My mam and sister were away this weekend so I will have to see how he manages tonight when their back, I know previously he used to get a little unsettled at night if he could hear people moving around. Hopefully once settled he will start sleeping on his own bed all night again too

[nataliesian]

Yay go dave :0) glad to hear he's looking after you- give him a big hug from me. Where about is ur mums ?

[danhodson]

Hi Natalie, its just New York on the estate opposite Vets4Pets so not far from where I was. I will pass the cuddles on, he has had lots already but he will be sleeping back on his own bed tonigh since he has had a couple of days settling in good grace ;D

[Deleted]

Great news - it's amazing how they keep proving we shouldn't worry so much. ;D