dog help required please

[jimbob]

as I know there are a few dog owners on here I need some help with our springer who celebrates his first birthday next week 

just had toe to toe bust up with my neighbours(live in a semi) as me & mrs both out last nite(mrs bday) and he was allegedly howling (not barking) for 4 hours they reckon. Neither of them work and he does it during the day(he is only alone in the day for max 5hours at a time as we come home lunchtime) as well for weeks/months they say(he has a dog flap so can occupy himself to a degree in the garden during the day)

They said he is unhappy  and they're giving us a chance to sort it out by organising someone to always be here when we're both out, rather than going to animal welfare. Not sure what to do for the best and just sounding out if anyone else has had a similar experience?

I think me options are this:-

get someone to look after him at a cost
sell up & move
get another dog to keep him company (I know this sounds nuts but apparently be good company for each other to relieve the boredom)
get rid of him (last resort)
tell them to get a job then they wouldn't hear him as they'd be out

[@MacPhlea]

We had similar problems and worked with our neighbour to get through it - we bought a remote controlled citraneller training device and gave the remote button to the neighbour.  When we go out we put the collar on the dog

http://www.equinecaninefeline.com/catalog/multivet-spray-commander-waterproof-remote-training-p-1554.html

The howling is indicative of boredom but they just don't know when to stop - the device acts like a wake up and breaks them out of the almost transical state - The neighbours knows the difference between the warning barks of someone delivering post and the boredom bark and only uses the device when the boredom bark kicks in - it works instantly and over a few months your dog will learn not to get into the boredom cycle.

Hopefully your neighbour will be prepared to work with you on this one and will feel that you are trusting them to help you through it

[suttonred]

You forgot shoot it.

[ronnie21]

If you are looking after your dog correctly animal welfare will not be in the slightest bit interested I would imagine.

[Rustle]

We used to breed boxer dogs and our friends still do and would't let them go to a home unless someone was at home all day to look after the dog or dogs,The first option is what i would advise and dont even think of getting another to keep him company that would just cause more problems. It sounds like the dog wants human company and to feel secure that someone is around.

If someone could get home dinner time just to keep a check on him or her that would help your cause,Have you tried leaving the radio on,this what we used to do if we had to go out for a while.

If you can afford it get someone to look after the dog in the day or even a few hours so it's not left alone to long.

[bassett boy]

I have a young dog if we leave him for a few hours then we leave the radio on, there are companies that will take the dog out for a walk whilst you are at work i think it is about £4-5 per day

[china red]

Springers are notorious for psychological problems from what I have heard.  I looked after my boss' one a few years ago and she had a phantom pregnancy (thought a ball was her puppy).

I wouldn't get another dog because it could just make the problem worse.  My Labrador was the same, I think here in China they remove the dogs from their parents at too young an age and so he had abandonment issues.  As he has got older he has got better.  In the mean time he destroyed several lots of furniture.

[Sussex]

Leaving the radio on is a good one. A chatty station, not radio fucking 1.

Also, the dog might be making the noise because it thinks you're not coming back again?

When you leave the house make as little fuss as possible. Get your shoes/jacket on, pick up your car keys etc. in a different room, don't even acknowledge the dog, just leave.

Also, try leaving it on it's own at the weekends (or when not at work) for 10-15 minutes at a time, then come home and give it loads of cuddles and fuss. Keep repeating this but for longer periods of time, gradually building up to 4/5 hours over a period of months.

Is the dog flap a good idea? Does it annoy the neighbours by being noisy when it goes outside?

Hope this helps

Barbara

[sonicyouth]

get a cat instead.

or fish.

[jimbob]

thanks all for your input, think I'll start with the radio idea (cheapest option)

the reason I was saying about another dog is we know someone who is giving away a springer bitch as they don't have enough time to give it the attention it needs(same age as our mutt) and was thinking of giving it a trial run over a weekend making sure they interact ok and aren't egging each other on to bark/howl...would either have to get his nuts done or get her spade first though!

triseros - will have a look at that link now although I will say after the spat I had with em this morning, I wouldn't really trust them!

[Rustle]

thanks all for your input, think I'll start with the radio idea (cheapest option)

the reason I was saying about another dog is we know someone who is giving away a springer bitch as they don't have enough time to give it the attention it needs(same age as our mutt) and was thinking of giving it a trial run over a weekend making sure they interact ok and aren't egging each other on to bark/howl...would either have to get his nuts done or get her spade first though!

triseros - will have a look at that link now although I will say after the spat I had with em this morning, I wouldn't really trust them!

If you go for the two dog option i would get the bitch spade rather than get the dog done,This way it would stop her bleeding everywhere when she came into season although you would have to watch her weight,bitches tend to put on weight when they have been spade,Good luck and i hope things work out for all.

[The Grim Reaper]

Man up and tell your neighbour to fuck off.

[Arriba]

your dog has seperation anxiety.
the neighbours are completely blameless.infact, after reading your post again you need to take note of what your neighbours have said.they will have a solid case for an enviromental health complaint.be thankfull they have approached you about it,so you can sort it out.

howling dogs are a pain in the fucking arse.you wouldnt appreciate that because you aint there when the dog is doing it.

[pauld]

Could you not train it to attack the neighbours? That'd give both the dog and the neighbours something to keep their minds off the boredom/noise issue

[jimbob]

your dog has seperation anxiety.
the neighbours are completely blameless.infact, after reading your post again you need to take note of what your neighbours have said.they will have a solid case for an enviromental health complaint.be thankfull they have approached you about it,so you can sort it out.

howling dogs are a pain in the fucking arse.you wouldnt appreciate that because you aint there when the dog is doing it.

yeah having done a bit of research today, it would appear you're right about the separation anxiety based on what has been happening.....we had the father-in-law staying with us during the last 6 weeks so he was around a lot in the daytime keeping the mutt occupied, now he aint here, the dog is understandably bored.....we're working on it so fingers crossed