Is this seperation Anxiety?

[Heather]

Hi, one of my recent fosters, Petie, is now with another rep in NJ. She says that Petie will cry and whine unless he is being held/played with/ given attention. Basically he just won't keep quiet. He sits outside the shower waiting for her to come out, and did #2 on the floor when she went out to start the car. He will only sleep with humans, but will go in his crate during the day.

What do you think. I thought seperation anxiety, but he cries even when she and her husband are there? It is as if he just wants attention 24/7?

Can you suggest anything that might help him? Maybe a kong with a treats inside to keep him occupied?

Help! She said that her dogs seems to be getting 'annoyed' by all of Petie's whining!!

[Wienergal]

Heather, how was Petie at your house? I wonder whether this isn't just a reaction to being moved around. Sounds like Petie needs a lot of reassurance, that perhaps he isn't sure where he is or where he's going.

I had to take a foster dog for a few days to get his vet work done--the foster mom was new and hadn't yet been able to convince her vet to discount for rescue. L.B. was fine at Michelle's, but when he was with me, he did the same thing--he just HAD to be with me at all times, and he cried when he wasn't in my lap. He'd just ignore my dogs and follow me around, crying. He'd been with one owner his whole life, and I think he was just confused and upset.

He is just fine in his adopted home now, so encourage your foster family to give him lots of reassurance and some more time. It must be hard on these dogs, being shifted from one home to another. You know how they love their routine! I think that, like some people, some dogs are just homebodies at heart, and when they don't have a long-term home, they become anxious. If Petie was OK with you, maybe you need to send one of your tee shirts to his new foster home, so he can curl up with something familiar.



<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Wienergal on February 01, 2001 at 10:55 AM</font>

[Mark]

Good thought and advice, Pamela! I was thinking insecurity, too. I think Petie will be OK with a love and a little time.

Mark

[Timber]

A kong might work, but be sure to keep enough goodies inside to keep Petie occupied for a longtime! Timber stopped whining in his crate with time, and ignoring his cries when he was in there.

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Tiffany
Timberland Kennels
Miniature Smooth Dachshunds