M
mmmmk
Guest
About 3 days ago, my husband and I (no kids yet) adopted a GREAT 1 1/2 yr old male golden from a family who couldnt keep him. The household he came from consisted of 4 kids, a stay at home mom, and another dog...so he was NEVER alone I'm assuming. Both my husband and I work and are gone for a good chunk of the day (he is probably alone for 6 hours at most) but we keep him outside with a covered patio, plenty of water, and a good sized yard to run around in (to chase the birds). We have also gotten him a crate for sleeping (since we are not comfortable just leaving him do whatever during the night yet - and also the family said he did very well in his own crate.) When we get home we make sure we socialize/spend time with him and exercise him (I've taken him to the dog park 2 out of the three nights). I've noticed that he DOES NOT like to be alone and that he isnt comfortable unless he is in the general vicinity of someone else. He will be sleeping on the floor and if I'm the only person home and I get up and get out of his sight, he gets up and follows me.
Soo...my question: Everytime he is left alone he starts whining/howling. He does it at night (we keep the crate in a separate room from us), when we leave to go anywhere, and even when he cannot see us/or isnt in the general area as someone he starts crying (like when I go to the bathroom). I understand that it is probably a HUGE culture shock from what he is used to. We try not to make a big deal when we come home by not over-stimulating the "hello" even though he is going absolutely bizzurk that someone is back. But during the day when he is outside howling, I'm sure the neighbors do not appreciate it. I'm just trying to figure out when this is going to stop and when he is going to start becoming more independent. Any suggestions?
Soo...my question: Everytime he is left alone he starts whining/howling. He does it at night (we keep the crate in a separate room from us), when we leave to go anywhere, and even when he cannot see us/or isnt in the general area as someone he starts crying (like when I go to the bathroom). I understand that it is probably a HUGE culture shock from what he is used to. We try not to make a big deal when we come home by not over-stimulating the "hello" even though he is going absolutely bizzurk that someone is back. But during the day when he is outside howling, I'm sure the neighbors do not appreciate it. I'm just trying to figure out when this is going to stop and when he is going to start becoming more independent. Any suggestions?