leaving dogs home alone for first time

[Nettie]

I can't see any problem with leaving them crated for 4 hours provided they have had some exercise beforehand and toiletted. Most greyhounds would be lounging and snoring on their beds while their owners are out so I can't see much difference to whether or not the bed is inside a crate. I really wouldn't worry, quite a few people crate their dogs overnight anyway, I certainly do when I have fosters here and that's much more than 4 hours.

[Rachel and Daisy]

Dec 12, 2012 15:40:57 GMT -5 ritab said:

Gizzi has never been left alone in the 16 months we have had her as she panics very badly - if I am upstairs for more than 15 mins she will be panting when I come down - so I need her to form attachment to Lena for this to work.

Hi Rita
In your original post you mentioned that Gizzi has never been left alone in the 16 months you have had her - this is a different issue from crate training or leaving two bitches alone, it sounds like separation distress (SD). I would suggest that you need to work on her SD separately from crate training and I would start on this as a priority this is by far the more serious issue by the sounds of it.

[ritab]

The main reason for getting another dog is for company for Gizzi. I wouldn't suddenly be leaving her for several hours now - we will build up gradually. That is why I am shutting crate doors in the morning for a while.

Gizzi isn't the same dog she was 16 months ago - she is much more relaxed now - but has weed in the hall a couple of times since new dog came - she used to do that when she was new. So we will be leaving her for up to 15 mins initially as we realise this needs handling carefully. Our vet is a behaviourist and wants to see us again in a month to see how things are going. She suggested we could try Zylkene if necessary, but to try without at first.

Hope that explains our thinking a bit better. We don't want to stress Gizzi too much as she was our first greyhound love!

[julies]

I left Charlie in there for more than 4 hours while I was at work tho he always had an hours off lead walk the evening before and 45 mins off lead in the morning before I went to work so he was happy to sleep .. I did leave Kongs in there, water obviously and hid bits of biscuits thro his bedding to give him something to do tho when I'm at home he just slept Why not try leaving them for a short period of time then gradually build it up .. you might find that if they're happy in their crate they'll quickly settle for 4 hours They sound as if they're doing really well

Oh just seen this page .. also leave some of your worn clothes in each crate to give them comfort but use a childgate to stop them following you from room to room and get used to being alone. Try TTouch to build confidence and do give them a good long (hour) walk at least once a day as a tired dog is more likely to settle ...
Julie x

[ritab]

Thanks Julie - I left them for about 15 mins today - first time - with a peanut butter Kong and a couple of mini snacks. When I returned Gizzi was just about OK but seemed to have given up on the Kong (Lena had started demolishing the Kong!) so I will try and leave them for 15 mins every day until Gizzi isn't bothered. I have been sleeping with some old socks so I can leave them in the crates.

We just have a gate at the bottom of the stairs, but anyway Gizzi is more relaxed about me leaving the room now and doesn't always follow. Lena follows more, but is perfectly happy being shut in the crate as she has only just finished racing.

They will normally be walked about 1-1.5 hrs in the morning and 15 mins mid evening. I will be leaving them after morning walk until they get used to it. Then when I want to risk a night out with Dave I'll walk them late afternoon about 45 mins to 1hr as well as morning walk. Gizzi can go off in the park, but Lena won't be going off lead any time soon as she was an A1 racer!

I have bought two of those travelling dishes for water - they have a sort of float so they can't drink too much water at once and they are hard to spill.

Hope I've covered everything now - I'll hide some nice treats in crate bedding as well - hadn't thought of that.

Thanks everybody - I'm feeling much more positive about the outcome now.

Rita

[julies]

Great that sounds like its going the right way If you freeze your Kongs it'll take even longer for the dogs to get the food out and research suggests that most Separation Anxiety lasts for about 20 mins (tho some lasts a lot longer ) so if you can occupy them for 20 mins that might help

Good luck

Julie