Separation Anxiety With Multiple Dogs

[CBL]

We have found out that Lilly (greyhound we have had for 3 months) is barking and crying when we are out and I am at a loss at how to remedy it.

Our yard is divided into 3 - the bottom half is concrete (Patch stays down there), the top half as 1/4 of it as a grassed run (actually it is probably smaller than that)(where we kept Lilly) and the rest of the grass is Oscar's space. We know that Lilly would calm down if she was with one of the others - especially Oscar - but due to their size difference (greyhound and iggy) and that their chasing games can get quite rough, we are hesitant to do this. However, Patch only really tolerates her and has snapped at her over food, and they both get protective of whichever bed they are on.

Yesterday we ducked out for a couple of hours, so put Oscar in the run and gave Patch and Lilly access to the concrete and grassed areas. As far as we can tell Lilly was quiet but Oscar cried (and the iggy scream is hideous). Really, he needs a bigger area to run around in (and he was fine even though he was by himself when he had the larger grassed space).

Today I had to go to work and so we gave Oscar the entire grassed area (including the run) and put Patch and Lilly together on the concrete. I don't feel 100% comfortable with this solution either as I worry that they will have a fight.

Anyone have any ideas as to how we can work on this. With only one dog in the house, working on separation issues would be easier, but with 3 I am not sure how to go about it.

Luckily our neighbours haven't complained (and have no intention of doing so) though I wish they told us sooner as we thought she was only carrying on for a few minutes when we left.

Edited January 26, 2009 by CBL

[GotAnyBlacker]

Teddy used to do that when we got him if he was alone and he still would probably do it if left alone outside so I leave him inside and even when he's alone he's ok because he's inside, which seems to make a difference. I usually leave them all together inside though, but I don't like to leave him outside as he's a pain in the butt and will bark at the dogs next door and dig holes to get under the fence to them!

[CBL]

Inside isn't an option when we are not home to watch them. Lilly carries on like a pork chop if she is inside and I go out to go to the garage and get something so I don't think leaving her in anyway would help.

Outside they get toys, kongs etc (though I am now wary of leaving anything out that she and Patch could fight over).

[CBL]

Just a bump. Any ideas?

For the last 2 days when I have gone to work she has been quiet. I have given her a Valerian tablet 30 mins before putting her out. Today I am working from home and have put them all out. She can't see me but is barking at the back door.

[Cockerlover]

tricky,I know ,been there ,once i couldnt go out the door without howling & barking ,but i started doing it in stages .

5mins @ first & totally ignoring nioses ,then progressing to longer periods ,rewarding for good behaviour on return ,ignoring bad !!

Finaly after a few days they got the message !!!!!now can go out for a lot longer with no chior Good luck