Hi, I have a 9 month old JRT called Mac. My partner works office hours, however I work shifts so Mac is only left for around 4 hrs a day, maximum 4 days in any week. We leave his large crate across the kitchen door so he has the run of the kitchen while we are away. we leave either a radio or sometimes a portable tv on for him. He has lots of chew toys and a comfy bed. He has never been keen on being alone but recently we have noticed he is getting increasingly distressed. He starts trembling as soon as we move his crate into position. He does not touch his food or drink while we are away, then as soon as one of us returns, he dives into it with gusto! He is such a happy affectionate little dog, it's heartbreaking to see him upset. Does anyone have any tips on how to help? We are considering getting another JRT to keep him company, my worry is though that we may just end up with 2 scared dogs?? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Alan

Posted by Mac's Dad on 08 Jan 2009

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When you come back is there any evidence of what he has been up to while you're away? Chewing is a great stress reliever and many dogs who suffer from separation anxiety will having a chewing orgy when they are left. As for the trembling, that is a very common JR habit in an excited or tense dog, not necessarily anxious or upset - just expectant. It sounds like you are doing all you need to do to make Mac's time alone as comfortable as you can. Don't worry about him not eating when you are not there - it could be that he is just sleeping the whole time you are gone - that's what my parents' dog does when they're not around. He takes himself off to the cage when dad goes out and mum doesn't see him again until dad pulls up outside the house!

Posted by mrswildthing on 08 Jan 2009

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Hi, thanks for the reply. he doesn't chew that much when he is alone but does tend to chew like mad when one of us arrives home. Thanks again Alan

Posted by Mac's Dad on 08 Jan 2009

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Hi - not sure if this will help but my first rescue dog had similar problems when separated. It could be something he will grow out of but here is what I tried. To get my dog used to being left I put her away for short periods of time when i was in the house and its important you do the full set up procedure as you would if you were going out, never do bye thing or stroking when you are about to leave they will pick up on this and see it as a sign you are going, just ignore and go. Ignore any noise/crying from the dog and let them settle, once settled walk into the room but ignore until they are calm. The suddenly eating their food thing when you arrive home is a sign (apparently thanks to pack theory) that they are pleased to see you and see you as lower down the pack and are worried about you not returning (i.e they feel responsible for you) - my dog used to do it. she would leave food for hours and then suddenly eat when we came home often grabbing a mouthful then running to greet you, also any chew bars we have given her to occupy her time alone would suddenly become attractive on our return, strange though it is........... Once the dog has got used to you coming and going and leaving her for short periods of time then you can try extending the time and leaving the house etc. Whenever you return always ignore the dog hard though that is until they are calm and respectful - eventually they will see you as the pack leader. If you are worried about leaving them, its amzing how quickly they pick up on it. another thing you can try to establish yourself as pack leader is 'gesture eating' i.e when preparing their food have a biscuit or fruit near by and eat it visibly in front of them before giving them their meal, the Alpha dog eats first in the wild so gives your dog the message that she is not responsible for you, but you for her and there is nothing to worry about. It sounds crazy, but it really does work and what with the ignoring thing in two weeks makes a whole load of difference. Another thing you can try which has really helped with my present rescue JRT is if possibly put them in a smaller room and/or cover the cage if you can with a blanket so they feel more secure. My toby was originally in the kitchen as we were getting him used to the cat and separated them at night and he would howl for ages when we left. Thankfully they are both fine with each other now and we have moved him into the utility room, and his bed is under a unit, he loves it in there, the room is smaller and he has his own sort of den, putting a blanket over the cage can simulate this too. another dog may help but it would have to be a calm dog otherwise like you say the prob could be made worse. I'd try to sort this out before you get another dog so your present dog can be confident in showing the new dog the ropes. Best wishes with it all - and hope some of the above ramble helps!

Posted by Son21 on 08 Jan 2009

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If that could help, good. My Ollie is now 2 1/2 years old and, when I leave to go out, I give him a small piece of dental stick (they love it!!!) in my living room and tell him to guard the house. Then I go out as fast as I can. He yelps a bit on the top of the sofa (I guess it is more about excitement) but when he does not see me anymore, the neighboors told me that he settles on the top of the sofa in the front window and looks through it, waiting for me. He can do that for 1, 2 or 3 hours (but I do not try to let him alone too long unnecessarily). When I come back home, open the door, he is so happy to see me (or us) that he dances a bit around us and wags his tail and that's it! If he let out some food previously (dry food), he will go back and finish it (I think it is a sign of relief you are back home or happiness). One thing I know is that dogs live in the present, so unless they need to pee badly, they do not seem to know the length of time passed when you go out. Now I think that your dog is still a puppy and if you train him for small separation and get it longer, he will get used to it. It might take some time but he will be OK. Hope this will help. Mrs Danielle Charbonneau

Posted by Danielle Charbonneau on 08 Jan 2009

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