How long should I leave dogs when I go out?

[ritab]

We have had Gizzi for nearly 18 months now and while she was an only dog were unable to leave her home alone. 2 months ago we got a companion, Lena, and are now leaving her between 15 and 30 mins most days.

They are in crates, side by side, and spend time in there during the day, of their own free will.

However, our filming shows that for the first 5-8 mins after leaving Gizzi reacts quite badly (chewing crate, pulling cover through bars, tipping water bowl over) but from then on just lies there, panting, but no other destructive behaviour.

So... should I try leaving her for an hour or more? A friend of ours dog sits a whippet with separation issues, and he takes about an hour to calm down.

I should point out that I also have separation anxiety as I haven't been leaving her alone until a few weeks ago, but I'm getting better!

[alexandsteve]

Have you read the two threads above that Lisa has written, " youve got your new hound home" and "too late we have separation anxiety"? They are both really informative and really helpful. We still follow these things now as our Whippet can get mild SA from time to time.

If you follow it you can't go wrong.

It takes time as you know and it's horrid to have a hound with SA.

Good luck, you'll all get there in the end

Xxx

[allthehounds]

I think I've heard that the worst is done in the first few minutes after you leave so maybe you should bite the bullet and try a bit longer as she might settle down after the initial 5 or 10 minutes. We're in the same boat having not had our new girl very long and she too has some SA issues. We've started leaving her alone with Ernie most morning now for between 2 and 3 hours and for the first few days the webcam showed her settling down after 10 minutes but then getting up to walk to the door and barking and crying on and off every 20 mins or so. Five days later and she didn't even get off the settee when we left and didn't make a sound the whole time we were out. Not sure if its to be recommended but for us using the "in at the deep end" approach seems to be working but we'll keep on filming her for now so we can be sure she's getting better. Good luck. Sian.

[ritab]

I have read the SA thread, and lots of other things as well, but the 5 minute thing doesn't seem appropriate as this is when she is worst, and then settles down and just lies there panting.

When we first had her she wore a DAP collar, had a DAP diffuser plugged in by her crate, smelly tee shirt, taking SereneUm Xtra, Rescue Remedy in her water, but even with that lot she was very distressed if left for very short periods and weed in her crate.

We decided to let things go and didn't leave her alone as we felt she wasn't ready to cope at that time. She is generally a much more confident dog now which is why we got her a comanion and started to leave her for short periods.

Our vet is a behaviourist and said if she is just lying and panting that we shouldn't worry too much. I just thought if we tried leaving her for longer we would see if it is just the first 5 mins that really distress her or if after half an hour she goes bananas.

[Rachel and Daisy]

Don't forget that panting (when its not hot) is also a sign of stress. If it were me and as its only been a few weeks since you have been leaving her, I would only be leaving her for short periods until she becomes more confident that you are coming back and her world will not fall apart when you go I would only be increasing the amount of time in small increments until I was happier with how she is - as if you are happier and more confident about leaving her, knowing that she is coping that should rub off on her too I would go at her pace if you can

[ritab]

I understand that panting shows she is stressed, but today that is all she did - no crate wrecking antics and didn't pick up water bowl, didn't change position.

I've ordered another DAP refill and will try again with that to see if she is calmer. The 5 minute rule can't work with Gizzi tho' as that is when she is worst. Usually she will really play up for about 5 mins and then just lies panting and looking towards the door.

Being able to film what happens is useful, but what if she's one of those dogs that don't do home alone. I'm hoping that a she will bond with Lena and then be content to be left at home with her. After only 8 weeks together they are already playing together and have shared a bed (no touching!) a couple of times. Sometimes Lena licks her face. So the signs are promising.

The thing is - I want to go out on Thursday nights (about 4 hrs) and maybe once a week go shopping in town (1-2 hrs) and the rest of the time I will be pretty much around apart from the odd doctor/dentist thing. Here's hoping...