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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 325
Shark
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OP
Shark
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 325 |
Need some advice.
I just adopted a 2 year old (Neapolitan) Mastiff. She is the biggest baby. The first time we left here home along she tore the place up. We got here a crate but when we leave here in it she cries like crazy, and I don't want our neighbors to hate us. What is the quickest way to get her used to being home alone. It is very difficult to have someone with her at all times especially with my bf hoping to find work and preparing to start grad school.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412
Tiger
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Tiger
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412 |
 Have you tried leaving something that smells of someone that she is "attached" to? I have read the "ticking" of a clock sometimes helps. Maybe, leaving her alone for "short" spells when you are home may help versus being with her all day then leaving her to go "cold turkey" the next day. She is lonely, poor baby.  Please keep us posted and thanks for sharing 
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 325
Shark
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OP
Shark
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 325 |
Well, we left her home in her crate for 2 1/2 hours and when we got home she had managed to escape. The door was still locked but she unhooked the corners and squeezed out.
I was told about the clock thing while at the dog beach on Sunday. I fear she will probably just chew it up though. She was a shelter dog so she may not like the crate. Fear of being abandoned again, maybe.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412
Tiger
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Tiger
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412 |
What about putting the clock out of her reach? I was thinking about those LARGE "big ben" clocks Not sure if they make them any more, but I used to have one that you had to "wind up" - the ticking got on my "last" nerve and I could not go to sleep. Have you tried going online and looking up her breed? With our Jack Russell Terrier, I went online and found out his personality is one you have to keep in "check" as he BELIEVES he owns us Love him to death, but have to REMIND him that he is living with US, and not the other way around.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,398
Tiger
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Tiger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,398 |
It probably has a lot of do with energy too. If you tire her out before you go out chances are she'll fall asleep and it won't be so stressful for her. Dig out the rollerblades!
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,691
BellaOnline Editor Koala
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BellaOnline Editor Koala
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,691 |
Two years old is too old to feel a calming effect from the ticking of a clock. It is supposed to remind a puppy of his mother's beating heart but for an older dog, it could just drive him nuts.
It's true that taking him out for regular walks (twice a day even) will help, especially if it is before you leave him alone in the morning. But dogs are pack animals by nature and do best when not alone. Some dogs just get used to being alone but they don't prefer it. They will learn to sleep a lot but that isn't healthy either.
It might seem hard, but consider adding another dog to your family. Take her back to the shelter and let him pick out his new friend.
If that is just not possible, leave a television set on. The human voices will seem like company. You can turn it on Animal Planet, if you like.
A safe area with lots of toys will help, too.
Being alone all the time will only lead to more behavioral and emotional problems.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 184
Jellyfish
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Jellyfish
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 184 |
If that is just not possible, leave a television set on. The human voices will seem like company. You can turn it on Animal Planet, if you like.
Ha--this was going to be my suggestion, too. We don't leave our dog alone much, because there's almost always someone home at our house, but when we do, we leave the TV on for her, and yes, often on "Animal Planet". We have also done the trick of leaving her with someone's dirty, sweaty clothing in her bed, so she can feel like we're near, but ultimately, it's like you said--dogs are pack animals, and they don't like to be alone. --Maria
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412
Tiger
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Tiger
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412 |
Maria, I am glad to see someone else agrees with my suggestion about leaving something with the "scent" of someone she is close to in the family. The scent might relax her and make her feel like the person is beside her. I would be "lonely" too if I do ENJOY the family members. Unfortunately not everyone has the luxury of not leaving their little "cutie" alone for long spells. Hey, if we do not work, guess who does not get to go see the vet Bottom line, EVERY animal is a UNIQUE creature and as pet owners, we need to make ourselves be aware of the breed characteristics and then the personality of our pet. NO TWO people are ALIKE, so no TWO animals are going to be either. By the way, how is it going? Any reports for us? Hope something is helping that little "cutie" of yours.....
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412
Tiger
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Tiger
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412 |
Hi Moe, our 5 year old Jack Russell Terrier (Jeremiah) NEVER gets worn out But as he ages, he does do better with being alone. It is still hard seeing his little SAD face as we close the door on our way out. And like you suggested, we do try to take him for VERY LONG walks in the morning and at night - and of course I chase him around the house. That is my little ball of ENERGY - keeps this 52 year old "smiling & young"..... It probably has a lot of do with energy too. If you tire her out before you go out chances are she'll fall asleep and it won't be so stressful for her. Dig out the rollerblades!
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412
Tiger
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Tiger
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,412 |
Lori, Jeremiah would definately be unhappy if we added another dog to the family He loves our undivided attention. Some dogs take kindly to sharing the family and some don't. GREAT suggestion! Two years old is too old to feel a calming effect from the ticking of a clock. It is supposed to remind a puppy of his mother's beating heart but for an older dog, it could just drive him nuts.
It's true that taking him out for regular walks (twice a day even) will help, especially if it is before you leave him alone in the morning. But dogs are pack animals by nature and do best when not alone. Some dogs just get used to being alone but they don't prefer it. They will learn to sleep a lot but that isn't healthy either.
It might seem hard, but consider adding another dog to your family. Take her back to the shelter and let him pick out his new friend.
If that is just not possible, leave a television set on. The human voices will seem like company. You can turn it on Animal Planet, if you like.
A safe area with lots of toys will help, too.
Being alone all the time will only lead to more behavioral and emotional problems.
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