Lonely Pup

[Holly&Dex]

Hi, does anyone have any tips on how to quell seperation anxiety in my 6 month old cocker spaniel. He whines when he is left on his own for even 5 minutes and even follows you out of the room.
He doesn't chew or anything, just whines, then howls. I've tried leaving him a little longer each day but it doesn't seem to work. Any ideas?

[jashan]

my dear friend
ur dog must be feeling lonely, u just try to spend as much time you can with your cocker spaniel
or otherwise if u can bring the dog a mate
bring another dog ,while u will not be around they can play with each other
ur friend
jashan(jatt)

[Dog Obsessed]

Hello Holly&Dex,

I just wanted to say that I agree with Jashan. You should look into getting another dog. One that's particularily close in age. I think that another dog would make your Cocker Spaniel very happy and not so lonely.

Best Wishes,
-Dog Obsessed

[Mr P Duncan]

As far as I know, spaniels are especially prone to separation anxiety because they're such sociable animals.
Getting another dog COULD be a solution - but do you really want another dog? (worth considering properly, because it doesn't always work out how you hope it will.)

[Angie]

I'd just like to add that getting another dog isn't the only way you can deal with separation anxiety.
You can actually train your dog to be less anxious, and to accept your absence.
Some basic tips for doing this:
- Don't act like leaving or going anywhere is a big deal: you don't need to smother him with affection. A quick pat on the head is good enough - any more may make him feel as though his anxiety is justified (or else why would you be trying so hard to console him? that's dog psychology for you)
- Get him used to you leaving. Leave the house for one minute at a time, and then return. Don't make a big deal of it; just walk in and out of the door as if there's nothing to it. Remember not to pay him any special attention before or after leaving.
- Make sure he's exercised THOROUGHLY before you go anywhere for a prolonged period of time. Tired dogs are relaxed dogs.

What kind of separation is your spaniel subjected to? Is he by himself often, for long stretches of time?

[kuritsa18]

I have a really good web site for you to look at which really helped me. It is : Separation Anxiety: Prevention and Solutions. It is very detailed about separation anxiety and gives detailed help on how to solve or help the problem. Also, in the site it says "getting another pet usually does not help the separation-anxious dog, since the anxiety stems from fear of separation from his person and pack leader, not merely from being alone". I also read somewhere else that the anxiety can be learned by the new dog from your old one since dogs will act as they see other dogs acting. You should solve the problem with your dog first before you consider getting another one since this is a serious 'disorder' and can escalate if not taken care.

[harleys mum]

Hi we have always found that leaving the radio on in the room or in the next room with door shut when you go out often helps . Dont know if that will do the trick with your pup .

[Angie]

A quick add-on to that last suggestion: also leave one or two items of clothing you've recently worn (that smell like you) around for your dog to cosy up with.
If your dog's REALLY freaking out, you can ask your vet about Clomicalm or Buspirone (which are developed to treat anxiety disorders in humans, but which actually are prescribed frequently and with great success for dogs). Note that these are not a "cure" in themselves, they will just relax your dog and make it more receptive to the anti-anxiety training and desensitization you're giving it.