[glitzydebs]

Pushca is nearly 2 and I was so good with her training: crate at night, no sleeping on bed, sofa etc
But all this went wrong as I spoilt her ( just can't help it) but now she cries when I leave her in the house and even today stopping to put petrol in the car she started whimpering! I need to try to retrain her and to stop her sleeping on the bed too.
I feel so guilty as it is all my fault but bobby is worried she is getting stressed crying all the time
Do you think if I start to leave her in her basket in the living room at bedtime? And any tips on the separation please
Thanks so much

 

[tessybear]

Well its hard to stop her sleeping on the bed if you have already allowed her to. Why do you want to change this if you didnt mind before? Can you compromise by letting her sleep on her own bed in your bedroom? Maybe you should just ignore her whimpering while you put in petrol, its not for long.
She may well just be crying as you leave her and settles to sleep after you have gone?

 

[wellerfeller]

Hi Debi, I agree with Tess it would be a little tough on Puscha to suddenly put her downstairs if she has been allowed to sleep with you before. I would try a bed in your room but you may find she will take a long time to get the message that she is no longer allowed on the bed.
Please don't take this the wrong way as I am really not intending to sound rude or anything but you seem to be quite anxious where Puscha is concerned. Puscha will pick up on this instantly and will react accordingly, as in getting anxious too. I would suggest being brave and have Puscha fit in with you doing your thing. If she cries while left in the car while you fill up with petrol them so be it, you are only gone a few minuites. Try to stop worrying so much about her and do the things you have to do.
Does she get left at home at all? If not then start leaving her for very short periods ( a few miniutes) before returning and build up the time.
I know she is your baby but she is a dog and she is feeding off your anxiety about her, she probably doesn't even know why she is anxious but just that you were when you left her so ther must be something worth getting worried about.
It may take a while but I am sure you will see improvements with her if you can manage to relax a little.
I hope that has come across as I intended and not as telling you off!
Did you have any luck finding a behaviourist at all?

 

[JulesB]

To get Betty used to being in the car if would often stop and buy a bottle of water at a petrol station, put her in the car and then go back in to get my bag, little things that meant she got left little and often so got used to it.

It's funny because Karen's comments were true of me being anxious about leaving Betty when she was little. Now it's just routine and she doesn't bat an eyelid to me coming and going and just knows the routine that she gets her long on her blanket as I go out. I don't worry about her as I know she's fine. A friend has just got a cocker spaniel puppy and I was telling her all the things I did, which sound crazy now, when Betty was little to get her used to being left. I spent one day just going in and out the front door, if she was quiet she got a treat when I came in, then I'd stay outside for 30 seconds, then a minute. Sometimes I'd go and read my book in my car for 15 mins just to leave her for a bit.

If you are happy with her seeing in your room I would not change that but work on her being left in the car and at home. Cockapoos are clever and learn quickly, you'll get there with Pushca.

X

 

[glitzydebs]

I had no choice with the bed thing really as we moved house ( long story) and she does have her own bed it's just she sneaks up in the middle of the night. I know I worry and fuss too much and I really will try as she'll be as neurotic as me!
It really all started with the house move and me worrying all the upheaval would upset her....yes no worry about me...stupid I know. Anyway will try to be a bit stronger. To be honest I do love having her come everywhere with me so again it is my own fault.
Think I need to chant she is a dog!!!

 

[wellerfeller]

Great mantra! She is a dog, she is a dog, she is a dog........

 

[kendal]

the best thing to have done with the house mo e would have been to stick to her normal rutien S much as posible. that way the only thing thats different is the inviroment.

you just need to be firm. if you want her in the living room that is where she goes. your just going to have to go back to basics. im not saying.its going to be easy. but you can traing any dog. i mean you get resque dogs of 5 or older who get crate trained by their owners.


do.t fuss over her un nesaseraly. dont make a big deal about leaving her. start it in the house leaving.her in a room while you go to the toilet or to get changed etc. teach her that you will come back.


its you that needs to get over leaving her first. then she will start to relax.

but seariosly just stat the way you did when you got her home the first couple.of times will be hard as she knows you have backed down in.the past. so she will cry more than when she was a puppy but she can go back to the way she was.

if.yoir worried about your neighbours talk to them explain the situation, and that hou doing some retraining that might take a.couple of days.

just like.when she was a puppy be firm and consistant you will get there.

 

[glitzydebs]

Thanks guys
I was worried about the neighbours to be honest as she starts barking too when I leave. But I have sneaked back in on her and she's always quiet so you are all right.
I am such a big softie and she knows how to play me but I try so hard not to fuss her but she's so cute! But my mantra has started and I'll keep you all posted

 

[Soo]

Why not try running a tape recorder or a video camera with sound when you leave her so you can check and see just how distressed she gets when left. It may be that she has a complain then settles to sleep and only wakes and complains again when she hears you coming in.

It will maybe reassure you that she does spend much of her time sleeping when you are out and if not then let you know that you do need to make changes and do some work on it.

Crossposted with you, glad to hear she is quiet most of the time you are out

 

[tessybear]

Dogs? Are they really just dogs? Oh no they are so much more- loyal friend, companion, more intuitive than most husbands/partners, in fact almost human! (sorry to the men on this forum I wasn't referring to any of you of course, you are all perfect!)
Debs, cockapoos are so easy to spoil aren't they? Lots of us here spoil and indulge our poos!

 

[glitzydebs]

Thanks so much but she really is such a fab dog and everyone loves her it is just she's been Molly coddled....god help me if I did have children!!

 

[JoJo]

Deb I am sure you will get this sorted, it may take time but you are a fab dog owner and Pushca will adjust to any new training and rules you put in place

Having kids or cockapoos .. sort of similar regarding loving them and wanting the best for them, plus you have to train them all lol

 

[JulesB]

I had no choice with the bed thing really as we moved house ( long story) and she does have her own bed it's just she sneaks up in the middle of the night. I know I worry and fuss too much and I really will try as she'll be as neurotic as me!
It really all started with the house move and me worrying all the upheaval would upset her....yes no worry about me...stupid I know. Anyway will try to be a bit stronger. To be honest I do love having her come everywhere with me so again it is my own fault.
Think I need to chant she is a dog!!!

LOL the sneaking on the bed in the night is exactly what Betty does!!!!

 

[Pollypiglet]

I think it is the poodle in them that makes them whine, we had one when I was a child a very long time ago and she always whined when we went out of sight. Hattie will complain if she is in the car and sees me walking past or stopping to talk to someone. I know she has had a toilet break so I just ignore it and she lies down with a resigned sigh! I agree a bit mean to restrict to lounge if previously allowed on bed maybe try bed in your room but in the end you are in charge not the other way around. Your dog will be happier with consistant leadership and boundaries, if you let the dog make the decisions they can become anxious as they have no leader.