Ask the Trainer - Frenchie Missing Family
gollygear March 14th, 2008
Frenchie Missing Family
Hello, I am hoping you may be able to help me out. We have a two year old Frenchie, Floyd, who has been having problems while we are away at work. To give you a bit of background, we had previously lived in a more suburban area with Floyd, our roommate, and his dog, Dora. Floyd and Dora are brother and sister and have lived together their whole lives up until about five months ago. At that time, we were married and moved to the city to be closer to work and not have to commute for an hour.
The transition has been fairly remarkable with Floyd as I think it helps that he sees us more than two to three hours at night. We also walk him twice a day, I take him for a short walk in the morning (about 3-4 hours after we left) and my husband does the same in the afternoon. He also goes to doggy daycare on Wednesdays to get some time with other dogs. He is very happy when we are home but gets very upset when we are leaving, and he always trying to dart out the door and sometimes even sits there visibly shaking. We received a note today from someone that lives in the apartment building that he has been barking all day, everyday. Neither Floyd nor Dora have ever barked much, so I was fairly surprised and was a bit skeptical but my husband heard Floyd barking when he approached the door. There is a terrier four or five apartments down that barks, so I’m not sure if Floyd is reacting to that dog or it is because he is left alone.
With the exception of increasing his days at doggie daycare, I’m not sure what to try next. I am hoping, with your experience, that you may have suggestions or ideas. I have also considered starting to crate him again, which he was used to and comfortable with as a puppy. But I have not been able to find much information about crating older puppies/adult dogs when you are gone. At most he would be crated for four hours then have a 15-20 minute walk then back in the crate for four hours then after the afternoon walk probably three hours. Do you think this is too long?
I appreciate any thoughts you can provide. Thank you so much!
Hope writes -
Your instincts about Floyd are right on target. Your boy is suffering from separation anxiety and crating him should help tremendously.
Think about the situation from Floyd’s point of view. He’s in a new, unfamiliar place, and almost half of his family disappeared and hasn’t come back! He’s probably terrified that you and your husband are leaving forever, too!
Get a crate right away. Leave it open, with a bed or mat inside. If he’s happy to go inside and investigate, let him. Don’t close the door when you’re home, let him have access to the crate. If he’s resistant, I’d put his food in the back of the crate so he has to go in to get his breakfast and dinner. Again, don’t close the door until he’s comfortable and at ease in the crate.
Get a “Kong” or other toy with a hollow center. Spread a little bit of peanut butter or soft cheese in the center, so that he has to work to get it out. Generally speaking, if dogs stay occupied for the first 10 minutes in the crate, they will relax and take a nap.
When you’re introducing Floyd to the crate again, make the first stay very short. Put the toy in the crate, say “Kennel up!” or some other phrase, put him in the crate, close the door and walk out. You can say “Be good!” but your departure should be as matter-of-fact as possible.
Walk around the block and come back. Your arrival should also be unemotional. Open the crate, say “Hi, Floyd!”, snap on his leash and go for a walk. Gradually increase the time away. If you’re able to leave for 15 to 20 minutes and Floyd is quiet, you may have the problem solved.
You don’t want coming and going to be melodramatic or emotional. As long as Floyd knows you’re coming back, he should look forward to his special “crate treat.” Most even come to enjoy their “off duty” time.
Some dogs like having a radio or television playing during the day. It may help block the noise of the dog barking elsewhere in your building. As far as daycare - it may help until the new routine is established.
Crates can be used for as long as six to eight hours without a problem. If you know you’ll be gone longer than that, they should get a “potty break” at the midpoint. Floyd’s schedule seems ideal - he just has to learn that “Mom” and “Dad” will always come home.
Hope Saidel
- French Bulldog Training
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