Crying during the day

[pluto'slanie]

I just met my new next door neighbor in the elevator. She told me that Pluto cries off and on all day. http://dachsie.org/ubb/emb.gif I was nice I didn't tell her that maybe she should get a job, but I really don't want to be a bad neighbor. No one's ever complained before so this took me by surprise. http://dachsie.org/ubb/confused.gif Any suggestions? He obviously does this only when I'm not home.

[2DogsLong]

You need to get another wiener or two to keep him company!

[Mrs.F]

Poor Pluto. http://dachsie.org/ubb/frown.gif Do you leave a radio on for him? We leave the radio on during the day while the dogs are home alone. The constant chatter masks the noise from outside a little bit. Penny has Maggie for company during the day now, so she's probably happier, but I suspect she's noiser now, too. Just think, if you get Pluto a little pal your neighbor can greet you in the elevator with stories of barking, running footsteps and thuds - the sounds of 2 or 3 little weiner dogs chasing and wrestling the day away while you're at work... http://dachsie.org/ubb/wink.gif The other thing that seemed to keep Penny happy while she was home alone was a puzzle ball (cheapo version of the cube). She would play with it and gobble up the hard earned pieces of kibble as they spilled out.
I don't know for sure that Penny was quiet all day - but she always seemed to be happy and calm when we got home.

[Uschi]

My previous Dachsie was a weiner-whimperer... she would whimper and cry during the days I was at school and my mother was out of the apartment. Okay, Tootsie may have been a bit of a freak http://dachsie.org/ubb/mutant.gif, but she loved it when we left the TV on for her. She actually seemed to watch it, though at times it might have been just hearing "human talk" that soothed her. Our neighbors preferred to hear an occasional loud commercial to the dog whimpering. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Wienergal]

Lanie, I always leave the TV or radio on (only NPR--lots of talk, none of it idiotic! http://dachsie.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif ) to mask outdoor noises and soothe my sensitive Farfie boy. I really think he likes the sound of a human voice.

On our last road trip, my friend and I went out to dinner and left the wieners in the room. When we got back, we could hear Farfel crying as we pulled into the parking lot. Sure enough, the message light was on. http://dachsie.org/ubb/uh-oh.gif The desk had had a few complaints. (Luckily, it was early in the evening and everyone was very nice about it.) Peaches's presence didn't seem to soothe him at ALL. And of course, being in unfamiliar surroundings, I hadn't thought to turn on the TV.

Maybe your unemployed neighbor could invite Pluto over to watch TV with her!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/tongue.gif

[pluto'slanie]

Thank you all. I will try leaving the radio or television on low (along with the air conditioner when it's hot). http://dachsie.org/ubb/lol.gif You should all buy stock in Con Edison, NYC's electric company.

PS: http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek.gif I'm not ready for a little brother or sister for Pluto.

[wireweiners]

Leaving the tv or radio on is good advice. One other tip, don't make a big deal out of leaving. It helps if you have a "ritual". For example, when I leave for work I give every body a cookie and tell them to "Be good and guard the house". http://dachsie.org/ubb/wink.gif This seems to reassure them and eating the cookie gives them something to do while I leave. They now run to their respective rooms when they see me putting on my jewelry, the last thing I do before I leave. Crating helps, if they are used to and feel secure in a crate. However, Buddy does better when he's not in a crate. He is the only one I have had with separation anxiety. I think it's because he came from a household with a stay at home mom and kids for company during the day.

[pluto'slanie]

I don't make a big deal out of leaving - just a goodbye, see you later from the front door. I've never crated Pluto. The family I got him from left him in a carrying case about 10 hours a day and I didn't want to traumatize http://dachsie.org/ubb/crying.gifhim so he has free run of the house.

[This message has been edited by pluto'slanie (edited May 08, 2000).]

[Penny's Aunt]

I agree that you shouldn't make a big deal out of leaving OR coming home. It just points out the difference between when you're home & when you're not.

You might try putting food in a Kong, or stuffing Cheez Whiz into one of those sterilized bones.

You can also teach your dog a trick: hid a piece of dry food in an easy place, then help him find it. Once he's got the idea, make the hiding places harder & harder, & use multiple pieces of food. Before you leave in the morning, hid his ENTIRE DRY FOOD BREAKFAST all over the house. That ought to keep him busy for a while.

[Pam C]

I also read you shouldn't really greet him when you first get home. Wait 10 minutes or so. I don't let my guys out right away (of course they were already spoiled before I knew this so hwe are working on it). It is suppose let them calm down and not be so excited. (but it sure is hard!!)

[pluto'slanie]

It's very hard not to greet Pluto when I get home - he's standing at the door, jumping up and down and trying to grab my hand. It seems kind of cruel. I will try a kong even though I'm not sure what that is, but I'll ask in my local pet store. I bought a ball w/ little holes for dry food to come out when pushed, but Pluto couldn't care less.

I'm going to have to buy a crate or something else to put him in when I stay at a pet friendly hotel. Every place I inquired about for this weekend has a crate policy if you leave the dog alone. I feel like I'm going to traumatize Pluto. Any suggestions about what to buy?

[This message has been edited by pluto'slanie (edited May 09, 2000).]

[wireweiners]

You don't have to not greet him, just don't make a big fuss. Wheeler stays in the utility room so he is the first one I see when I get home. He is there jumping up ready to greet my. I always say Hi Wheeler, how many burglars did you kill today and are you ready to bury them in the backyard? Then we go in, I say hi to the other dogs, change clothes and take them out. How big is Pluto? Unless he is a really big standard, I would get a 100 to 200 size deluxe vari kennel. If he doesn't weigh over 10-12 lbs. the 100 will work, over that get a 200. I like the deluxe kind because they don't have those **** screws and are easy to take apart and clean. You can order them from Valley Vet Supply or Omaha Vaccine for about $36. There is also an Italian made crate, similar to the deluxe vari kennel that RC Steele and Omaha vaccine carries. It is a little more expensive but has some nice features like a storage area on top for leashes, etc. and you can order wheels to fit it. If Pluto is not used to being crated, you should start crating him for short periods before you go on your trip.
I am a firm believer in crates, especially when traveling. My dogs seldom ride loose in the car. Their crate is their seat belt. If I have to stop suddenly or have a wreck, the crate prevents them from being thrown around the car and hurt. It also can prevent them from escaping. Also, if youd dog is crated, you can leave the windows down while you run in to potty or pay for gas. If Pluto is very trustworthy, you can let him out of his crate while you are in the hotel room with him. They just want them crated while you are gone so they don't tear up something or make a mess.

[Krista]

As to the crate: some dogs feel more comfortable in a wire crate, becuse they can see out on all sides and don't feel as trapped. Rudy is fine in his wire x-pen even if I make it small like a crate, but he cries if you put him in the plastic airline style crate. Just a suggestion. Another good feature of wire crates is that you can buy ones that collapse easily for storage or travel. maybe you could set up a small x-pen instead of a crate. They fold up easily too and can be adjusted for size and used indoors or outside if you want. As long as you set it up on tile he couldn't hurt anything and you can give him more room than in a crate.

[Penny's Aunt]

Dogs that travel should be anchored down, one way or another. A doggie harness attached to a connected seatbelt will keep the dog off your lap (tricky on turns), from under your feet ("What red light?"), & from being thrown around during a fast stop or an accident.

Crates should also be anchored. A crate flying at your head from the back of the van isn't something I would want coming at me!

A Kong is a fairly hard, hollow rubber toy that you can put dry food, cheese, peanut butter or Cheez Whiz in. It takes quite a while for them to get all the goods out of the center.

If your dog is clever about games, try the Buster Cube: put dry food in it & set at the desired difficulty level.

If your dog likes to tear stuff up (cloth) BUT DOESN'T SWALLOW IT, put some yummy food in the center of an old towel or something, & tie knots in it. It can take a couple of hours for them to rip it apart enough to get the food. Know your dog before you use this "toy"!

Especially when traveling, make sure your dog is wearing ID. More than one phone number is good, even if all you do is stick a piece of waterproof adhesive tape on his collar & write the number with a permanent Sharpie. Use the phone number of someone who will be home when you're gone; tell them you're doing it; tell them to say YES, THERE IS A REWARD!

[pluto'slanie]

I like the x pen idea and I'll explore it this evening when I get home. Pluto wears a harness that I got from Dachshund Delights catalogue that is specifically geared for auto travel because the little dickens tried to climb on my lap once too often.

[This message has been edited by pluto'slanie (edited May 10, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by pluto'slanie (edited May 10, 2000).]

[Krista]

Lanie -I paid about $70 for an x-pen that has 8 panels about 2 feet wide and 2 or 2.5 feet high at petsmart. But JB wholesalers has them much cheaper like 47 or so. Maybe someone can post the site, or just do a search for it, or I can post it later from home.

oh you might also try http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com

[Owen's Mom]

Owen and Pluto may just be related. My neighbor told me the same thing about Owen crying when I'm gone off and on. Of course, It makes me feel extra special guilty!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/kfrown.gif But what can you really do? I mean, we have to work to bring home the dog food. Owen was originally in the crate until just a couple of weeks ago, when I bought an Ex-Pen. I was going to get it through J & B, but I just didn't have time. So, I paid the full $69 and bought it at Petco. I can actually make a big space for him, he doesn't feel so confined, he still has his crate in the area (he sits ontop of it, not in it) and his puffy bed and blankie and some toys and I leave some water. He's much better, but I know he still cries. Dachshunds just bond SO tightly, that they don't do well alone. The only thing that will probably stop the crying is another dog for him to bond to during the day.... Oh yeah, that means double the vet/food/toy bill. Not going to happen in my home anytime soon!!

Also, I bought a NEW car yesterday!! 2000 dark blue VW New Beetle http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif I'm off to Petco at lunch to pick up a riding harness for the O's.

~~Amy & Owen http://dachsie.org/ubb/facelick.gif~~

[2DogsLong]

Instead of getting the car, you could have bought Owen 1000 little friends to keep him company! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

Congrats. I love the VW Beetles. I hope Owen didn't take notes from Oscar's first trip in my new car.

[Krista]

Congrats on your new car Amy!!!! Can I come to San Diego and take a ride in it? http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Wienergal]

Coooooooool, Amy! LOVE those Beetles! You and Owen will look very spiffy, tooling around San Diego in your new car! http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek3.gif

[doxielover]

Isn't the new Beetle the CUTEST thing? If my situation were different I'd get one! I've yet to see one in dark blue!

As for the Ex-Pen, that's what I used to use instead of the crate, and it worked out well for Freddie. But I finally stored it away and now Freddie is free in the house (I do close off rooms & bathroom ), and he has proven to be just fine. In fact, I have found that he is calmer and doesn't feel "trapped". But of course every dog is different. He's now 2 yrs. old, so things are better! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smile.gif

Susan

[pluto'slanie]

Hi all, I'm on my way to petco to pick up an x pen. http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek3.gif Thanks to this knowledgable group for all its good advice.

[pluto'slanie]

A little update. I used the x pen this weekend when Pluto and I were in a B & B. He didn't seem to mind it at all. I put a pillow in and some toys and I understand from someone on my floor that he didn't cry at all when I went out. So Bravo for Pluto, my very brave boy and thanks for all your good advice.

[Tanya]

What exactly is an x-pen and how is it different from a crate. I read the thread but didn't understand.

[Krista]

Tanya,

An X-pen is an Excercise pen. It is usually made out of metal alloy caging, but it is much bigger than a crate and has no floor. They come in many sizes and are usually adjustable. Mine is made of 8 -2'x2' panels that are all linked together in a row. Two clips at one end join to the other to form an enclosure. With my model I can attach the clips to any other panel to make it smaller if I want to. Most of them also fold up for storage or travel.

you can see one at http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com http://www.jbpet.com

hope that helps!! I love mine. Rudy stays in it in my kitchen (my kitchen can't be babygated) when we aren't home, so he can't get into anything. But, he still has room to play with his toys and has his cuddle bed to nap in.