At the moment I am struggling with Theakston whilst trying to train Brew. It is fair to say that he has never been great on his own. When his older half-brother died back in June, it was just before we moved house, and he found it very hard to settle on his own over night. As our neighbours could hear him (they were very polite about it, but they did - uh - mention it), we moved him upstairs onto the landing. This worked for two nights until he realised that none of the doors in this house catch properly, and he could get through into our room with just one little push of his shoulder... To cut a long story short, he had his bed in our room until Brew arrived, and until they got to know each other, and now they both sleep perfectly happily in the kitchen, with her in her crate and him right next to it. However when I take her out into the garden for some training and leave him in the house on his own, he starts howling. I leave him in the kitchen, with Radio 4 on, with a kong, or a rawhide chew, something to try and make him feel less neglected, but he ignores it and barks until we come back in again - at which point he will pick the treat up and dance ecstatically! I don't want him barking until we reappear, as he'll think he's achieved that... Any bright ideas?? It's fairly distracting as well if we can hear him whilst trying to work outside. Clare
Re: Keeping the older dog happy Clare, I have exactly the same problem, although Hattie is only 6 years old, so I will be grateful for any advise also. x
Re: Keeping the older dog happy I have to confess to cheating sometimes, Helen - it's been less stressful to practise heelwork taking them both with me... Definitely not a Pippa-approved practice, but Theakston would never dream of doing anything other than plod along at heel and doesn't object to being switched over to my right. He looks a bit disgruntled if we have to keep changing direction too regularly, but it's not working out too badly! It's not a long-term solution though, because there is plenty I can't cover when I have a spaniel who just wants to keep me company! Clare
Re: Keeping the older dog happy We have to take Hattie and Charlie out separately for everything : Hattie is 6 years old and a great girl, Charlie is our rescue and has a little issue with recall, OK he is an absconder so we have been working really hard on that, so impossible to have Hattie off lead and Charlie on lead who goes balistic if she moves. We have now been in this situation for over 2 years
Re: Keeping the older dog happy Hi clare I haven't got any useful advice but if I could I'd come and play with Theakston while you trained Brew. After reading your post I just want to give him a big cuddle. : Is Theakston steady enough to lie down with a chew or kong outside with you while you train Brew? I know it could be distracting for Brew and no good if Theakston keeps wanting to join in but other than hoping he settles down when he realises you are coming back and he's not missing out (or having me come to play) I've no other suggestions sorry. Hope it works out soon Jen
Re: Keeping the older dog happy Reading through past threads on the forum, I'd realised you have put a HUGE amount of work into training Charlie, but I hadn't realised that you couldn't take them out together. Charlie is one very lucky rescue to have found his way into the heart of a family who have shown him that much time and patience... Jen, Theakston doesn't really do play, but if you want to come and sit in our garden about three times a day, he'll sit on your lap and let you tickle his chest whilst he closes his eyes in bliss! He wouldn't then care at all about potentially missing out whilst Brew is practising her skills... Clare
Re: Keeping the older dog happy I always took the older dog out first, the new pup then learnt how to stay on his own, the older dog has had some exercise and training and is happy to stay while the pup goes out, even it all this only happens in the garden.
Re: Keeping the older dog happy [quote author=ClareJ link=topic=3525.msg38886#msg38886 date=1385995148] Reading through past threads on the forum, I'd realised you have put a HUGE amount of work into training Charlie, but I hadn't realised that you couldn't take them out together. Charlie is one very lucky rescue to have found his way into the heart of a family who have shown him that much time and patience... Jen, Theakston doesn't really do play, but if you want to come and sit in our garden about three times a day, he'll sit on your lap and let you tickle his chest whilst he closes his eyes in bliss! He wouldn't then care at all about potentially missing out whilst Brew is practising her skills... Clare [/quote] Thank you Clare, it's a shame Charlie doesn't realise it ;D Our aim is to eventually take them out together, but progress is very slow with Charlie :
Re: Keeping the older dog happy Hmm interested in this thread too. I have same issue with Cuillin. She is only just over two but has never been good on her own either and howls the place down if I go out with wee bro brodick and leave her alone...I dont do it often but am working with brods on his own at the moment and she is not coping with it at all...she does the proper heartrending wolf howls...having to be very nice to my neighbours...ill be interested in any advice you get....love the name Theakston btw...
Re: Keeping the older dog happy *Phew* I am secretly pleased I am not the only one that has this issue! Stacia, I will try taking Theakston out first, although I suspect that his issue is more to do with his love of company. He is very used to following me round throughout the course of a day, and as long as he can follow, he's happy. If we do some little training bits indoors in the hallway, he sits in the lounge and watches through a glass panel... and doesn't care unless we move into the kitchen out of his line of sight! Debsie, I can only sympathise re the neighbours. My neighbours both sides have pre-schoolers and tend to be in a lot during the day... Mind you, on one side her children are so noisy, I reckon I have a bit of leeway... : As to Theakston's name, my husband always reckons he turned out to be a half-pint in the brains department!! Clare
