Doting Puppy

[annie]

Hello, your help please.

I have the opposite problem on leaving puppy (5 1/2 months now) at home. I have a small business at home, so since I got him

( Charlie ) he has been nearly with me 24/7 except in the past 3 weeks he has spent a few days each week with my husband at our holiday house, while I come up to the city. He copes OK with my husband but when we meet up again, he becomes my shadow. Even so as far as sitting next to me when I am in the toilet.

He is very social, as my business has 60+ people coming to my house every week, so he has developed what I call " have a chat". He has to say hello to everyone ( and why not when they are telling him how cute he is) plus when we go walking or anywhere, he has to say hello to everyone, which in itself is a good thing.

Now I am thinking that maybe Charlie considers myself as his "mate" as he will move rooms (even if he is sleeping) when I do. He will follow me everywhere, and gets really cranky if I go outside and leave him inside, looking through the door.!!!

Plus since the age of about 4 months, on numerous occassions if I lean down with my right arm to pick him up, or give him a scratch, he will "latch" onto my arm and try to "bonk" it. He hasn't been de-sezed yet.

Any suggestions or thoughts about this shadowing and bonking business.

I love him dearly, and he is a little spoilt, but is this shadowing natural???

Thanks

Ann

[kamuzz]

What happens when you go out / away and leave him on his own?

[Doghouse]

Hi,

I had this problem with Lola. We are funeral directors and we have our residency attatched to the office, so when I dont have families in she tended just to hang with me and was ALWAYS UNDER MY FEET !! She would sit at the office door and cry if I was in there too long with a family and carry on and on and on. When the hearses and coaches returned she would try and run op to them and the men. Whilst it was nice and yes it makes me feel safer when here alone, it was getting too much... I had to start isolating her in the laudry when people came in, popped her with a bone and off she went. Took her about 2 weeks to get the hang of it and now she is fine. We now have two dogs, and this has helped tremendously, they just play in the garage and know never to come into the office without approval.

Perhaps you could try the crating/isolation???

[annie]

Hi again thanks for your help. If I leave him in the car, infront of our local strip shops, and watch him while I am in the shop, he gets very distressed, and goes beserk, going from one semi open window to the other. I have left him alone once for about 15 minutes in the back yard, and when I got back his muzzle was all wet, which I can only gather as maybe panting or something.

Sometimes I would like to have him not "there" when I am in my business role ( I have a home based school), as some of my students don't like dogs, so then I get a bit stressed as all he wants to do is say hello. I say to my students that they can say hello, and then ignore him, and he usually backs off after about 5 minutes, and then goes into the back garden, or disappears into the house to have a nap. If he hears me come into the house, he is up and checking on me. Plus he will always come into to my school room to check that I am still there, maybe up to 10 times in a 2 hour period.

I have considered getting another pup as a companion, but I truly understand this is also a big step, as I couldn't cope if I have 2 "shadows", plus having 2 dogs is not a responsibilty to be taken lightly.

And you will probably say he has me wrapped arpund his little finger, but I get a bit " stressed" seeing him freak out if he can't see me, especially when he can't "get" to me. He joins me everywhere,- in the garden weed pulling, getting fressed in the morning, he has even come into the shower on a number of occassions with the water running when he was younger.

Any thoughts yet again.

Thanks

Annie

[poodlefan]

Call a professional dog behaviouralist (if you say where you live we may be able to recommend someone). You need someone who can come in and see you and the dog at home to get a thorough understanding of what's going on. We can take guesses on the internet but its not a safe method of dealing with this.

That said, iIt sounds to me like your pup may be suffering from separation anxiety. I think some behaviour modification and an investment in a crate will assist you to manage this. Buying another dog to solve problems with your first is risky.

Your dog cannot cope with being alone because he's never learned to cope. A good behaviouralist can help you solve this.

Humping your arm is more to do with dominance than sex. Following you from room to room is very common - dogs are a social animal after all.

If you have not taken this pup to formal obedience classes, now would be a good time to start.

If you've been leaving him in the car in the last few weeks, he's been at great risk of suffering from heat stress, whether your windows have been open or not. Don't do it.

[Jack@sandysmum]

If I leave him in the car, infront of our local strip shops, and watch him while I am in the shop,

This is the most stupid thing I have heard all day! Never ever leave your pet in the car (same goes for children)! You also should know that in NSW you can be fined for leaving your animal in the car if someone reports you.

Edited January 23, 2007 by Jack@sandysmum

[Doghouse]

If I leave him in the car, infront of our local strip shops, and watch him while I am in the shop,

This is the most stupid thing I have heard all day! Never ever leave your pet in the car (same goes for children)! You also should know that in NSW you can be fined for leaving your animal in the car if someone reports you.

Not being a bitch here but Jack@ is right, it is illegal - regardless of the the time, weather or conditions.. Like children !!! We see people leaving babies in their seats right out the front of this office and go to the butcher or newsagent for like 10 minutes !!!!

Its nearly as bad as having small kids in the front seats of cars (not illegal here- is in some states of the US) - the implications of a side impact or front collision with a small child is horrendous (even worse when there are side or front airbags in place!!!) :rolleyes:

[annie]

Thanks for your advice. If anyone can recommend a behaviour specialist I would be grateful _ I live in East Bentleigh in Melbourne.

Charlie has been going to puppy/dog classes since he was 9 weeks old, and he loves the "social chit-chat of it all" My husband takes him, and he is doing well. He has no trouble, as yet again everyone there knows who he is, and he "chats" to everyone. This is run by the VCA.

I also left him in my car earlier on ( 1.5 minutes was all ) before the heat started, and it was 18 degress, and yes, I wouldn't even think of leaving him in the car in these temperatures we have been having. At the intro to the VCA sessions we were told how bad it is for dogs in the heat, and what happens to them, so I am very aware.

Have been hesitating about the 2nd dog, because of the increased responsibility.

But given that , he is very social, and he follows my husband around , even trying to "help" him when he is doing things.He actually comes and put his nose into whatever you are working on, and my husband even had to give him a spare dry paintbrush for Charlie to carry around for my hsuband- cute puppy behaviour.

Funny story- yesterday my husband walked to a shop, and tied him up outside, and Charlie cracked it big time because he couldn't go into the shop to say hello to everyone. But he quickly figured out that if he just sat there, looking cute and adorable, then those shoppers that passed his way, would have to stop and say hello, which they ALL did. He was loving it. My husband watched his strategy and thought it was very clever.

So thanks again for any and all advice.

Annie

[Pawprints]

So if I pop to the shops and park in the underground carpark, on a rainy day which is about 18 degrees, and leave my sun roof open, then I am a disgusting person for leaving my dog in the car?

WHen I return I find him curled up fast asleep on the drivers seat?

[poodlefan]

Annie:

Funny story- yesterday my husband walked to a shop, and tied him up outside, and Charlie cracked it big time because he couldn't go into the shop to say hello to everyone.

You are interpeting his behaviour in human terms. He probably cracked up for the same reason he does it to you - he doesn't like being left alone.

I would recommend Dr Debbie Calnon.. she's based around Frankston. If you do a search here on "Calnon" you should find her details. A google search would probably produce them too.

No pawprints I dont' think you are cruel. However, I've seen plenty of dogs left in cars for 5 minutes that are still there half an hour later. Temps rise quickly.

My advice was cautionary, not condemnatory. It certainly wasn't given to you.

Edited January 23, 2007 by poodlefan

[Jack@sandysmum]

I just don't understand the reasoning behind it! If you know that you are going to the shops why would you take your dog with you if you are not prepared to take it out of the car? Even in an underground car park the car still can get hot - the motor has been running as well, so where does all the heat go?

[Sam_Gledhill]

Thanks for your advice. If anyone can recommend a behaviour specialist I would be grateful _ I live in East Bentleigh in Melbourne.

...

Funny story- yesterday my husband walked to a shop, and tied him up outside, and Charlie cracked it big time because he couldn't go into the shop to say hello to everyone. But he quickly figured out that if he just sat there, looking cute and adorable, then those shoppers that passed his way, would have to stop and say hello, which they ALL did. He was loving it. My husband watched his strategy and thought it was very clever.

So thanks again for any and all advice.

Annie

Hi Annie - Slightly unrelated but of interest to everyone reading this post - what sort of breed do you have? And could we look at some photo's. Better to post them now while Charlie is still looking his "puppiest"!!

Good on you for seeking advice instead of carrying on uneducated and potentially harming your dog. I agree that you should probably not leave him in the car - especially in the heat, but I also know that you are aware of this.

I've noticed that sometimes a new member might post something and then cop an ear-bashing for asking a question that they have real concerns over. From first-hand experience (not on this forum) there is nothing worse than seeking out some helpful advice and getting abused for the effort. To all of the other posters on this forum - remember that we are all human and we all learn from what we read on here - there is no need to be abusive!

Thanks,

Sam.

[annie]

I would love to post a photo, as like all mothers I think he is adorable, but I was a bit hesitant, as I read this forum was for pure breed dogs, and my Charlie is what some of you may call a "designer dog" ( that is what he has been called by rudish people)

I have been seeking answers to my problem, as I am very aware that if not taken seriously, his behaviour could escalate, so hence I sought out this forum.

He is a cross between a english cocker spaniel and mini poodle, now looking more on the cocker side of things, and hence I don't want to offend anyone here. ( as a child I grew up with a english cocker spaniel, but as my mother is very ill, and I wanted to share the puppy with her, I chose this low allergenic puppy, mainly to aide in my mothers interaction with my Charlie. She absolutely adores him, and he adores her)

So if not at risk offending anyone I have a great photo to post. ( my charlie actually stops and poses for photo's)

All the best

Annie

[annie]

Here is the photo of Charlie. This is him at about 12 weeks, so he is now 22 weeks and lost a lot of the fluffiness. Will upload a recent photo after this weekend- we will pose for new photo's, maybe at the beach, because he just adores the water. Any water in fact.

Thanks for any advice

Annie

[SparkyTansy]

From a different POV, perhaps it isn't that Charlie dislikes being alone, perhaps he thinks that he needs to look after you... afterall, if he is displaying dominant behaviour such as humping, he may also think of himself as pack leader even at this early stage, and is there to look after you and your husband.

i would contact a good behaviourist recommended by DOLers, and in the short term, i would not make any fuss of him upon your return from leaving him alone, or when he appears stressed, as you are only giving him an excuse to do it more by reacting.

Good luck, your puppy is very cute. Generally people do not get too offended on here about x bred dogs as long as you do not call it a purebred cockerpoo or something... there are many DOLers with x bred dogs but they are just that...

[Dogsfevr]

The dog doesnt now how to be independant,he doesnt have boundries & doesnt understand why he cant do things.

Personally i would never tie a dog outside the shop especially in a dog that finds it so distressing at this point.My main reason is dogs should never be left tied unattended because the dog could bite,be stolen ,damage itself in the lead or be teased by a passer by.To me tieing a dog outside is like saying to a 2 yr old sit there ill be back.

I wouldnt be getting a second dog until you have sorted the issues at here ,i would aslo consider making a seperate area for the dog/s when it comes to school.Dogs need to learn that they cant be involved in everything & above all they dont need to be involved in everything.

I would also say you need to treat him like a dog,we all love our dogs but you cannot make them into humans or little people.

Unfortunately i see alot of the spoodles in boarding & alot have insecure issues due to the fact both breeds have very different natures & needs & when the 2 are crossed things go wrong.

[Doghouse]

So if I pop to the shops and park in the underground carpark, on a rainy day which is about 18 degrees, and leave my sun roof open, then I am a disgusting person for leaving my dog in the car?

WHen I return I find him curled up fast asleep on the drivers seat?

High levels of Co2 and carbon monoxide - no wonder he sleeps... Same sort of rationale used by the parents at the casino...

[cavNrott]

.

Edited June 7, 2009 by cavNrott

[Cosmolo]

It does sound like this puppy needs to learn that its okay to be alone and perhaps some further leadership skills on your part. We consult in your area so please have a look at the website below or follow other recomendations if you would like to solve the problem. Anxiety rarely gets better on its own.

[poodlefan]

CavnRott:

I must be alone here in that I can't see anything different here from the way most pups behave.

Annie's second post contained additional information CnR.

Annie:

Hi again thanks for your help. If I leave him in the car, infront of our local strip shops, and watch him while I am in the shop, he gets very distressed, and goes beserk, going from one semi open window to the other. I have left him alone once for about 15 minutes in the back yard, and when I got back his muzzle was all wet, which I can only gather as maybe panting or something

It was this information which prompted me to suggest a behavioural consult. My view is that if the owner is sufficiently worried about the behaviour, a consult ain't a bad idea. It's not the worst thing in the world to be told that the behaviour is normal. On the other hand, if there IS a problem, the sooner it's dealt with, the better.