Anxious Sheltie

J

Jan Henshaw

Forums Regular
Our 2 year old sheltie Maddie is a Covid dog. My husband works from home, and I work part-time outside the home. When we leave Maddie for 3 to 4 hours we give her a frozen Kong and put the tv on. She is not crated as she despises the crate.

We discovered on Tuesday night that she barked the whole time when we left her in a motel room for 2 hours. We had given her a frozen Kong, and left the tv on. There were complaints from the other motel guests - NON-STOP barking. The following evening we had her on a leash stationed 10 feet away from us when we visited friends for an outdoor dinner. She barked until we sat her next to us.

What to do? She is so needy and anxious.
 
This has happened to a lot of dogs and cats that were gotten during COVID-19 and you also worked from home. By choice Shelties want to be with their human so it's important that you start out slow.
I would first try taking them for a long walk and then give your treat before you leave for maybe 15 mins. Then when you return heap on the praise for being so good.
Because they are not used to being by themselves,they need to be reassured that you are coming back and comfortable having a little me time. I would work on this and gradually increase your time away
You could also buy a treat dispensing camera ,so you could check-in, some allow you to talk to them and give a treat when they are good .
Just take it slowly and you should be successful :)
 
I highly recommend treat balls. I have used this one for years...

https://www.amazon.com/Omega-Paw-Tr...ords=treat+ball+for+dog&qid=1658009116&sr=8-6

it's how I would feed Gavin cause it takes a long time to get it all out; I would feed him breakfast as I was leaving in the morning. I can't leave home without feeding him now, and he wants me to leave cause he wants his food.

I also use a pet webcam so I can see what he's up to (sleeping, as he is an old boy now). But it can help you see what works and for how long

side note: I just got some CBD treats from theanxiouspet.com because Gavin can be hard to settle at night at his age. I give him 1/2 each night and they seem to work. it might help to get your pup over the initial anxiety?
 
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These are great suggestions from Ron and Cindy. As Ron said, there are lots of dogs who were Covid pups in the same boat as yours. Unfortunately, many of them are in shelters now for just that reason, so bless you for working through it. It CAN be done!

Patience and praise are the key. Leave the house for very short periods to start, maybe 5 minutes outside, leaving a treat ball or kong with Maddie while you're gone. Do this every day, extending the time as she improves. Use lots of happy praise and pats when you get back. It's a process, but it does work. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
 
Great suggestions so far! I completely understand your dilemma! My Liam was not a Covid pup but is extremely nervous and is a barker also.
I am going to give the CBD treats Cindy suggested to see if that helps reduce his anxiety. keep us posted on your progress. I am a bit luckier as I have two other Shelties that help him manage the stress. I also work from home so it makes it difficult when I do have to leave. Take care! Good luck! FYI, Liam is 3 now and it does get better over time!
 
Finnie is also a barker because of anxiety! I have a baby gate at my bedroom door that Finnie has gnawed on because of anxiety. He and Piper go in the bedroom when I’m at work, I’ve found a closed door makes him worse hence the gate. I’ve been off work since February due to a bad injury but will be returning in two weeks, I’m not looking forward to what his behaviour will be like! I’ve got some dog CBD oil and I think I’ll start him on it now! Fortunately I’ll be starting on a graduated return so hopefully they’ll get used to it over time. Frustrating for sure! Oh and Finnie and Liam are related and more alike than I’d have thought possible lol!
 
I also recommend this supplement: Purina Calming Care. I get it on Amazon or Chewy. It was suggested by one of my specialty vets. It's a probiotic targeted to calming anxiety that you add to their food daily. Recent research has shown that this particular probiotic works well for anxious dogs. I have one who, for a while, got so nervous after dinner at night -- we still have no idea why -- that she'd try to climb the walls. I tried it all....CBD oil, other supplements, even prescriptions. CBD oil did help some, but not enough. This stuff really made a difference and I still give it to her every day. I ran out a while ago and decided to see whether she really needed it. She does!
 
We use the TV when we leave as ours tend not to have huge separation issues now but try calm radio type music as well. Our girls were struggling to sleep at night and we started keeping it on at night and they are out cold and stay out at night. If they wake up it puts them back to sleep.
 
Ron Atkinson said:
This has happened to a lot of dogs and cats that were gotten during COVID-19 and you also worked from home. By choice Shelties want to be with their human so it's important that you start out slow.
I would first try taking them for a long walk and then give your treat before you leave for maybe 15 mins. Then when you return heap on the praise for being so good.
Because they are not used to being by themselves,they need to be reassured that you are coming back and comfortable having a little me time. I would work on this and gradually increase your time away
You could also buy a treat dispensing camera ,so you could check-in, some allow you to talk to them and give a treat when they are good .
Just take it slowly and you should be successful :)
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