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Post by memjoa on Jan 11, 2014 17:52:58 GMT
insert code hereI'm wondering if you may be able to help with the below?
1) when Ralph our 3 year 8 month male cockapoo is left at home whilst I pop out he barks constantly. He is put in his crate with a blanket over the top lots of toys and treats a lamp left on in the room and the tv on downstairs... None of this seems to work. I know he used to be left in his crate when his previous owner was out and have turned up sometimes to the house and he has never been barking... So I'm wondering why he's doing it here.. We have had him five weeks now!
2) I have been advised that canine company would be a great solution to a lot of our problems, his previous owner also had another dog (a younger cavapoo that she has also rehomed but felt they would be better being rehomed separately as they would get more attention)
We would love another dog but it concerns me that they will fight for attention and not be so loving towards humans because when Ralph isn't being aggressive towards men which stems from his previous owners husband hitting him he is the most loving affectionate dog I've ever met!!
However if you feel that the concerns I have won't be an issue or will be outweighed by benefits then I'm wondering what type of dog will be a good match*
*nothing too big (a Labrador is way to big, ideally cocker spaniel size)
Something loving
Sociable
Ideally crossed with a poodle or short haired (love the look of a beagle but too highly strung)
We wouldn't object to rescuing the second dog but don't want to end up in the same situation where the previous owner hasn't been upfront about issues.
I thank you in advance and really hope you can help!!
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Post by migsy on Jan 11, 2014 19:50:46 GMT
Hi memjoa,welcome to the forum.5 weeks really isn't long at all,Ralph will barely know what has happened to him,first he is in one home with a canine companion,then he has another...it must be very confusing,and yes,he must be missing his doggie companion too,it was a bit harsh of the owner to split them up,unless there was another reason for it,perhaps she wasn't coping well with 2 dogs.
You will need lots of patience to help Ralph settle and learn to trust you,and realise he is staying with you.Then later,after you have seriously weighed up all of the pros and cons of having another dog,decide if it is for you or not.I loved having 2 dogs,but now we have only Skip,who we adopted from the R.S.P.C.A. 10yrs ago, after our last dogs died.Only advice I would give regarding another dog,would be don't get a dog of the same age.My last two,a Border Collie, then adopted companion Flat coated Retriever 18 mths later were similar ages,and it was shattering when one died,then the other joined him the following year.
I have owned a Cocker Spaniel,super dogs,as are poodles,but have a good look round,and others on here will be able and glad to give you more information.
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Post by AnnaAmber on Jan 11, 2014 20:11:08 GMT
Personally, I'd never get another dog until you have sorted Ralph's problems. It *might* work but the problem is the new dog could quite possibly pick up on Ralph's bad example; and then you have an even bigger problem. However, once you have worked through Ralph's problems then adding another dog may be a good idea but as I said I wouldn't just yet. Regarding him barking when you leave him, I would take him for a long walk before you go. Have you tried using a stuffed kong? This would be something he could occupy himself with whilst you are gone. If you get him used to you leaving, for only a few minutes, and then coming back and building up gradually, then he will learn you always come back. Hope that helps.  |
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Post by orpheous87 on Jan 11, 2014 21:32:50 GMT
I second AnnaAmber's advice. I wouldn't get a second dog just yet. As migsy said, 5 weeks isn't very long really, and he's likely to be still adjusting to the changes. Some dogs cope very well with change - a friend's son recently rehomed a 4 year old Springer Spaniel who they've had absolutely no trouble with. She's fantastic off lead, comes back when she's called, and is happy to go to work with them, or be left at home. However, it doesn't sound like the same can be said for Ralph. It sounds to me like he may have separation anxiety (being separated from you), or isolation anxiety (being left alone). Does he get upset when you go out but he's left with other members of the family or just when he's left completely alone? In either situation, you need to build up to leaving him for long periods gradually. Dogs are very good at picking up on visual signals that you might be about to leave them. We tend to do things in the same order when we're going out, and dogs learn what the signals mean i.e. you turn the TV off, put your coat on and pick up your keys before leaving. You can desensitise the dog to these things though, by doing them repeatedly without actually leaving the house. Nicole Wilde has a book on separation anxiety (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leave-Seperation-Anxiety-Nicole-Wilde/dp/0981722733) and there's an interview with her here: intellidogs.com/blog/interview-with-nicole-wilde-separation-anxiety/ which is very good and pretty much explains what I've said above, but in better detail with more knowledge! Kongs etc. are a good idea too, as AnnaAmber said. They can be frozen too, which would take Ralph longer to eat and preoccupy his mind while you're gone. Good luck! |
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Post by Pawsforthought on Jan 11, 2014 21:55:46 GMT
As said already, 5 weeks is not long enough. I know this with trying to retrain Finn's recall, it's going to take months to get him into his new habit, and that's just ONE habit. We're talking about a whole new life for Ralph here.
Give him some time to settle in, and perhaps undertake measures to make him more comfortable with your absence. One thing you can do is crate him sometimes with a stuffed Kong or other type of chew while you are in the house with him, and for short periods, possibly with the door open and you nearby. This would help him to feel more comfortable in his crate, and feel as if being crated is a good thing (I know you said he was already crated, but he probably associates being crated with being away from you.)
Some people suggest discouraging 'needy' behaviours ie. constant vying for attention, constant need to be on your lap or touching you. I am always careful with these things though, and instead of telling dog off, instead give them a chew to be taken away to enjoy. Some measure of ignoring goes a long way too. My Grandparents' collie needed this to overcome her attention-seeking nature!
I would definitely suggest teaching him a 'quiet' command though, and just generally rewarding him very well for calm, quiet behaviour, and ignoring (at ALL costs!) loud, attention-seeking behaviour.
Another suggestion, which I have heard of being used for dogs with separation anxiety, is to leave him alone in a room several times a day, throwing treats down before you leave the room to distract him from your absence. At first, leave him for a minute or so. Do this for several days and then push the time up perhaps to a couple of minutes, still dropping treats before you go. Using this method, slowly build him up a few minutes at a time until he can go an hour and be happy! Never enter the room he's in while he's barking or scratching at the door where possible.
Does he ever make noise at night? Is he crated at night?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2014 23:27:30 GMT
My first thought when reading the thread title was No, he just needs training Good advice from the others already and there's a programme on later this week which would be worth watching. Monday 13th January, Channel 4 ''Dogs: Their Secret Lives'' It was on a few months ago and this is an updated programme. I enjoyed the first programme and it showed some very good methods of helping dogs with separation anxiety I wouldn't personally get another dog just yet as he/she may pick up the bad habits and then you'll have two of them howling the place down  Concentrate on Ralph's training and perhaps in a couple of years' time possibly think about getting another if you feel that's what YOU want As to a breed, a nice pedigree so you know what you are getting temperament and size-wise is best....Whippets are a nice small/medium chilled-out breed and an absolute joy to live with - I cannot recommend them highly enough....or a Cavalier King Charles or Miniature Poodle. I wouldn't encourage the breeding of 'designer crossbreeds' as most are only bred by greeders for ££££ and you don't know what health problems will crop up in the future  I'm sure Ralph will soon settle in once he knows he's in a lovely Forever Home now  |
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Post by SarahHound on Jan 12, 2014 12:28:49 GMT
Yep, I agree with others. As nice as it is to have 2 dogs, you need to get his problems sorted out first otherwise you're quite likely to end up with double the problem. I made this mistake a few years ago in getting a puppy just two months after a rescue dog. The first dog wasn't trained enough and passed all her bad habits onto the pup and I am still sorting that mess out. Don't get me wrong, I love my dogs to bits, but it was all the wrong timing. Give Raplh a bit longer to settle. You say he has toys in his crate, what are they? Something like a Kong or Busy Buddy would be good, and put a portion of his daily food in it. Also, don't make a big deal on leaving and returning, try and make it like its no big deal! Don't be put off, in time you can get him a companion, just wait and let him get settled first |
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Post by bectil on Jan 12, 2014 17:21:40 GMT
I agree with what everyone else has suggested. Like orpheous87 has said, it sounds like separation anxiety. My Whippet X had separation anxiety - he destroyed one cage, and injured himself by digging. About 8 months later, it seems we might have a cracked it (hope I haven't jinxed myself there!). We went down the crate route with Alfie, at times he seemed fine in his crate, then others he would be stressed. He now has the freedom of the whole house with my other dog, though I think the reason why he is okay being left now, is because he feels settled in our home - he no longer destroys things when we're out. He seems in general more happier. Other things you could try like Nyla bones, chew toys, DAP collar/spray, putting a blanket/old clothing which has your smell on in his crate, ECT. |
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Post by Avansa on Jan 12, 2014 17:27:56 GMT
You need to take time to bond with him, rescue dogs can take a long time to fully trust and be comfortable with their owners! I feel like this is a very fragile time for him, and getting a new dog could be a seriously big disruption to this process. As others have said, spend time training him and don't be afraid or ashamed to seek a trainer or behaviourist if you need some help. Good luck |
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Post by charlottte on Jan 13, 2014 8:24:12 GMT
Can't expand more on what's been said already by the others. I remember working in a rescue who said they didn't advise getting a new dog any earlier than 6 months after getting the one they just had, it will give the dog time to bond and see if there's any issues that need working on. However, was Ralph crated I his last home? Or left with the run of the house? It could be separation anxiety, but without knowing what type of barking etc it's difficult to say. Your best bet would be an APBC/APDT trainer for advice. Also has he even health checked? Just to make sure there's no underlying health conditions that could contribute to behaviour? A lot of behaviourists require one (APBC members can only have referrals from vets) so if you go down the route of behaviourist, that's something to consider. But I wouldn't get another dog until Ralph's barking is sorted, most likely the new dog wil just join in! Also jus lt out of curiosity, why would your new dog have to be something 'crossed with a poodle' and not a full bred poodle? Don't think I'm picking, I ask everyone that says they'd only have cross poodles  |
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Post by BorderTerrier on Jan 14, 2014 19:03:28 GMT
I definitely agree with the above advice, memjoa. If you introduce a new puppy to the family while your current dog has behavioural complaints, it could cause further and higher stress problems. You need to sort Ralph out first - if you don't, and the new addition doesn't solve his problem, then your in a very bad position! One out of many reasons for my theory: You would need to spend more time, patience, energy, and work to Ralph to sort out his issue. Then what about the puppy? He/she would need as much of your time at the same time, being a puppy! HTH |
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Concentrate on Ralph's training and perhaps in a couple of years' time possibly think about getting another if you feel that's what YOU want 
