hi everyone would really appreciate some advise,my neighbour spoke to me on tuesday that meg was howling when i was out for a cpl of hours,as you can imagine the look on my face was just total shock at this news,i couldnt think of anything that would have set her of,yesterday i thought i would go and speak to my neighbour on the other side to see if they had heard meg and to apoligise for the noise,well to say i was speachless is an understatment,for the past cpl weeks every time i go out meg is howling,i have no idea what has triggered this of or why she is doing this,
Re: howling That is certainly not what us doggie owners want to hear about our dogs, is it. I am sure you did get a shock. How old is Meg? Did you go through a process of gradually getting her used to being left alone? Unfortunately she is probably calling out for you (or for company) because she doesn't understand why she is alone. Did you manage to find out from the neighbours whether it starts as soon as you go out, or is it only if you have been gone for a while?
Re: howling Obviously I don't know how you get on with your neighbours, but I would recommend find out if it is happening, when we got a complaint from the council we got another neighbour to record our dogs and the complainer was proved to be a liar who just didn't like us having dogs.
Re: howling Hi there Dosh,I can't remember if we have met elsewhere on the Forum?if not welcome and I have Dexter a 2 year old yellow boy. This must have really upset you,you hate to think of them being upset / bored and of course there is the noise that disturbs neighbours. My first thoughts are is it possible for you to pretend to go out and see/ hear for yourself exactly when she starts to howl?Has she been ok previously to these last few weeks?
Re: howling I am so sorry, you must be so upset We were a bit anxious, and also curious to see what our pup did whilst we were out, so for peace of mind we set up a lap top with free software (jumicam) downloaded on both lap top and ipad and iphone. Naya also uses this software, actually pinched the idea from her! This also works remotely through 3g on my phone too. It might help to see what Meg gets up too? Hopefully your neighbours are understanding, most are, probably just as concerned as you are!
Re: howling I would be grateful if my neighbours told me my dog howled, as when we are out, we have no idea that they make a noise! Rather than a dog being distressed for years, the problem can be addressed. I do hope she settles soon. x
Re: howling Maybe film her? My neighbours were convinced Tatze was howling - it was another dog nearby! Sometimes I get home and hear it - it sounds so like Tatze I rush in, to find a snoozing dog!
Re: howling I hope you are able to investigate and find a solution. Best of luck with it. I think it's a good idea for anyone to video their dog while they are out - it seems only sensible to check how your dog deals with something that we know lots struggle with. On the secret lives of dogs page, it says that 32% of dogs that are left more than 2 hours show some signs of distress.
Re: howling hi thank you for your replies, yes im very upset about this,meg was very good being left on her own,i have been racking my brain what could have caused her to start howling when im out,and think i have the reason now,two weeks ago megs tummy was very upset,i had to nip out for an hour,and when i came back she had had diahrea in her crate,(it was awfull) from the day we brought meg home she has never messed her crate either pee or poo,but that day she had and she was very upset about this,could this be the reason, this morning i went out locked the door,opened,closed the gate,and stood outside to see if i could hear her(left radio on) ten minutes later still nothing,went round the front chapped door couple times,my 2 chiuahuas barked like mad,nothing from meg,sat on step for another 20 mins still nothing, i get on really well with both neighbours and both have said not to worry about it as it doesnt bother them,they both said you have to go out donna,so stop worrying,easier said than done,will try again this afternoon with putting radio on,hopefully that might do the trick,
Re: howling It sounds like you have lovely neighbours - what we all need at a time like this! I would definitely say that the bad experience in the crate could be a factor here. I would just kind of go back to basics and try to gradually get her used to periods alone, as if you are training this for the first time. vary the time - sometimes very short, then a bit longer, then quite short again. Make it unpredictable. Will she eat anything while you are out? A chew treat or a filled Kong perhaps?
