Dogs

[Libertine]

9 minutes ago, SpacedX said:

Are you crate training? 

No, she's almost 7, is it likely to help in older dogs do you reckon? 

[SpacedX]

Just now, Libertine said:

No, she's almost 7, is it likely to help in older dogs do you reckon? 

It might be worth thinking about. Dogs can be crate trained at any age, but if she has been accustomed to sleeping at the bottom of a bed for example, that is very challenging to break down. Also, a crate is sanctuary to a dog - it is their den, their space, and this can be very reassuring and comforting. With older dogs I have owned, I have simply left the door open and they have gone in of their own preference and volition. Even my four month old puppy puts herself to bed in hers when she is tired. 

 

The worse thing you can do, as counter intuitive as it is, is respond to the whining/crying. Strictly speaking, it isn't separation anxiety, because she knows that you are still there. When you leave the house, your scent drops and that is when they can become particularly agitated and upset. As hard at it is you need to persevere, because if you respond you will reinforce it. It may be weeks even months, but you must stick with it.

 

Is she a rescue? What were the circumstances?

[Libertine]

11 minutes ago, SpacedX said:

It might be worth thinking about. Dogs can be crate trained at any age, but if she has been accustomed to sleeping at the bottom of a bed for example, that is very challenging to break down. Also, a crate is sanctuary to a dog - it is their den, their space, and this can be very reassuring and comforting. With older dogs I have owned, I have simply left the door open and they have gone in of their own preference and volition. Even my four month old puppy puts herself to bed in hers when she is tired. 

 

The worse thing you can do, as counter intuitive as it is, is respond to the whining/crying. Strictly speaking, it isn't separation anxiety, because she knows that you are still there. When you leave the house, your scent drops and that is when they can become particularly agitated and upset. As hard at it is you need to persevere, because if you respond you will reinforce it. It may be weeks even months, but you must stick with it.

 

Is she a rescue? What were the circumstances?

Thanks. We definitely left her a bit longer last night but she gets really loud and it's impossible to get to sleep. She was in a home before but the owner has moved abroad, she had another dog for company when he was at work so not completely alone so obviously it's all new to her.

[SpacedX]

1 hour ago, Libertine said:

Thanks. We definitely left her a bit longer last night but she gets really loud and it's impossible to get to sleep. She was in a home before but the owner has moved abroad, she had another dog for company when he was at work so not completely alone so obviously it's all new to her.

I'm sure she will settle in time. Even though she is 7 yrs old, you can still change her regime. The adjustment is massive and you don't know what she was previously accustomed to. It is most important that you establish the new rules immediately and consistently and although it can seem harsh she will over time inure to her new routine and environment. If you or your partner continue to sleep downstairs you aren't going to change anything. All of this is to be expected given the upheaval that she has experienced. Nonetheless, she's loved and part of your family and that will go a long way. She will learn that you are still there for her in the morning. 

 

Separation anxiety isn't just whining, whimpering and crying - it's awful to witness. I was outside the polling station last week and there was an elderly lab there that looked like it was having a seizure. Its entire body was shaking and quivering spasmodically and it couldn't even stand on its hind legs. Turns out the owner was inside voting for a few minutes and it had been left with their friend that it was unfamiliar with. He reappeared and the dog immediately responded. Long term, this behaviour can take a dreadful toll on the dog's well being. Get her used to being on her own for short periods during the day. One of my daughter's house cats is afflicted with it and when they go away, she goes on hunger strike, hides and won't even drink for the first few days. 

 

I wish you all the best. Stick with it, show her plenty of love and attention and I guarantee she will eventually adjust to her new home that you have given her. 

Edited 10 July by SpacedX

[Libertine]

On 10/07/2024 at 11:20, SpacedX said:

I'm sure she will settle in time. Even though she is 7 yrs old, you can still change her regime. The adjustment is massive and you don't know what she was previously accustomed to. It is most important that you establish the new rules immediately and consistently and although it can seem harsh she will over time inure to her new routine and environment. If you or your partner continue to sleep downstairs you aren't going to change anything. All of this is to be expected given the upheaval that she has experienced. Nonetheless, she's loved and part of your family and that will go a long way. She will learn that you are still there for her in the morning. 

 

Separation anxiety isn't just whining, whimpering and crying - it's awful to witness. I was outside the polling station last week and there was an elderly lab there that looked like it was having a seizure. Its entire body was shaking and quivering spasmodically and it couldn't even stand on its hind legs. Turns out the owner was inside voting for a few minutes and it had been left with their friend that it was unfamiliar with. He reappeared and the dog immediately responded. Long term, this behaviour can take a dreadful toll on the dog's well being. Get her used to being on her own for short periods during the day. One of my daughter's house cats is afflicted with it and when they go away, she goes on hunger strike, hides and won't even drink for the first few days. 

 

I wish you all the best. Stick with it, show her plenty of love and attention and I guarantee she will eventually adjust to her new home that you have given her. 

Glad to say over the past 5/6 nights she's been much better, we've been staying upstairs and she's been fine. She might start a little around 6am when it's getting light and she's probably getting hungry/needing a wee but we're getting a proper night's sleep at least. 

[NJFox]

27 minutes ago, Libertine said:

Glad to say over the past 5/6 nights she's been much better, we've been staying upstairs and she's been fine. She might start a little around 6am when it's getting light and she's probably getting hungry/needing a wee but we're getting a proper night's sleep at least. 

Ah yes, the joys of sighthound ownership. Had similar challenges with our two whippets. The first one we got as a puppy, so she adapted more easily. Our second whippet came to us as an adult, and it took longer for him to get used to us going to work and being out of the house. Sighthounds tend to be very clingy, so it definitely seems more pronounced- when we're home, they must be with us or on us. They are smart dogs, and will pick up on certain tendencies- when they hear my wife's hair dryer in the morning, they will go to their crates because they know it's time for her to go to work.

 

For sleeping, we started with them downstairs overnight, but eventually brought the crate upstairs. We now keep a dog bed on the floor of our bedroom with a heated blanket on it, which keeps them off of our bed enough to ensure a decent night sleep for us, and they know they're near us. They're still pining for our bed, and do end up on there  from time to time, but this is a great compromise for all.

 

Unrelated, they've both been on a murderous streak with rabbits in our yard. Two dead in the last week, but we're not mad...it's what they've been bred to do for generations.

 

 

[SpacedX]

[Bilsthorpe Blue]

Meet Frankie, picked her up on Wednesday, addition to our other 3

[SpacedX]

1 hour ago, Bilsthorpe Blue said:

Meet Frankie, picked her up on Wednesday, addition to our other 3

She's beautiful. How old? 

[Bilsthorpe Blue]

8 weeks last Wednesday, intend to breed from her in 4 years time

[Bilsthorpe Blue]

Budding gardener 

[Scoop Dog]

Pet Waste Pick Up Service 

 

We scoop the poop and disinfect the area(s)

 

Pet friendly Deodoriser available

 

Small animal hutch clean outs  

 

Facebook@scoopdogspetwaste

 

Please feel free to get in touch if you or anyone you know requires our service 🙂💩

 

 

 

 

[Daggers]

[VLC86]

45 minutes ago, Scoop Dog said:

Pet Waste Pick Up Service 

 

We scoop the poop and disinfect the area(s)

 

Pet friendly Deodoriser available

 

Small animal hutch clean outs  

 

Facebook@scoopdogspetwaste

 

Please feel free to get in touch if you or anyone you know requires our service 🙂💩

 

 

 

 

Hi, there is a massive turd stinking out Seagrave, responds to the name Jon. £10 to get rid.

[Ric Flair]

17 hours ago, Bilsthorpe Blue said:

Meet Frankie, picked her up on Wednesday, addition to our other 3

She looks almost identical to my 14 week old puppy 😂

 

Hope you survive the piranha teeth phase haha

[SpacedX]

[SpacedX]

[Tommy G]

Anyone done any gun dog training with their lab or other breed, if so do you have anyone Leicestershire based? Ours at 2 has finally stopped acting like a pr!ck and is turning into a very good dog, but want him to do some advanced training and I don’t have the time to do it myself. 

[Libertine]

54 minutes ago, SpacedX said:

Sent to sleep by Enzoball, so like us.

[SpacedX]

23 minutes ago, Libertine said:

Sent to sleep by Enzoball, so like us.

I'm blindfolding her tomorrow night. Not subjecting her to that. 

 

1 hour ago, Tommy G said:

Anyone done any gun dog training with their lab or other breed, if so do you have anyone Leicestershire based? Ours at 2 has finally stopped acting like a pr!ck and is turning into a very good dog, but want him to do some advanced training and I don’t have the time to do it myself. 

Try Steve Hare, based in Kibworth (Hare and Hounds). Specialises in gun dogs/retrievers, Usually booked up for weeks though. 

[SpacedX]

[Bilsthorpe Blue]

9years, 4 years & 15 weeks