Update: Behavioral consult scheduled

[Jess & Stewart]

I have a consult scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Stew will be neutered Thursday morning & we will be out of the apartment from Wednesday night until Sunday night, possibly Monday night.

My sister did agree to watch Stew for the rest of that next week. My vet is actually closer to her than it is to my apt, vet is in NJ, I'm across the river in Philly. One thing I'm wondering is if it'll stress Stew out to be away from me. I would think he'd be fine, since she'll give him a ton of attention.

Tonight, my Dad was over & watched Stew while I went to get us take out. He said they played & he distracted him, but at first he was whining at the door. He also jumped all over me (no barks) but I didn't make a big deal about greeting

I left Stew out today & made up a frozen kong. He seemed to do well and the kong still had some thawed food in it at lunch. I put the citronella collar on him & I hope it helped. I was hoping he'd remember the spray from when I used it Friday.

Update: I saw one of my neighbors (super nice guy, he loves Stew). He said he didn't think he heard him since Friday. That's the day I stayed home & tested the citronella collar! So maybe it has been working! I left Stew out for the past 2 days now. I've frozen a large KONG with some if his food and a yogurt, banana, honey mixture (I made my own frosty paws). I moved the crate in my living room, closest to the back deck door. I figured it might help muffle the sound. I left his toy box out, some water, the kong & the rest of his food in a treat ball. I also took him to the park & put him on a long line, played fetch. He didn't fetch the whole time, but I just kept trying to get him to run out the energy. The walk is 0.9 miles one way, including about 25 minutes of fetch/running.

He noticed me leaving but barely barked. He quieted right down. I bet he was hungry (I used to feed him 30 mins before I left) so he went back to the food. Came home for lunch & he walked right up to the door when he heard my keys, jumped on me a lot whimpering but no barks. Went right back to the kong, I definitely tried to make it hard & last! Same thing when I got home. He actually fell asleep after just a short walk to go to the bathroom! The photo attached is what my apt looked like when I got home. It seems like he had ALOT of fun to me!! I'm thinking the kong, treat ball & playing with room to roam helped a lot.

I'm still looking forward to the consult. I want to make sure I'm doing things right & also address the guarding, but I'm wondering if it was more confinement than separation.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Sounds like a good plan, Jess! Hoping you can get some answers.
And well wishes and quick healing vibes for Stew with his neuter! And not to worry...he'll do great.

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

Good luck! I hope Stew heals quickly! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You are doing the best you can, Jess.  One thing you could do is let your neighbors know you are now aware that there is a barking problem with Stew and that you are addressing it.  Ask their indulgence, but also ask them to let you know when they notice a barking problem so that you can evaluate what is and is not working - making them part of the solution, goes a long way to elicit their tolerance.

[Wendy and Myla]

Really good idea!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Old teaching trick!  :-}

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Keeping good thoughts that all this works out!  Great plan

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree that it seems like you have a good plan.....can't wait to hear what the Behaviorist has to say.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Jess,

I admire those who do their research, seek help, and give it their best try.

On a side note, have you watched him on camera?

I used a computer camera and a $4.99 smart phone app.  to watch dogs while I was not at home.  

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I wish you luck with your trainer.  It can be so frustrating because we love them so much and only want the best for our doodles.  I found and learned that my doodles totally feel my energy, when I am excited so are they, when I am worried or mad they feel that too, when I am calm and mellow so are they.  I never had any separation issues with my doodles, when I only had Sasha she was VERY good in the crate and then 7 months later I got Oliver.  I believe Sasha kept Oliver company when I was at work.  I too came home every day on lunch and spent my lunch hour with them playing and letting them run around in the back yard.  I never made a fuss when I was leaving, I would call them in from outside and say "ok everyone into there house!".... LOL both doodles would run into their crate and wait for their treat.  I would shut the door say I loved them and I would be back real soon.  They settled immediately, I was always calm and never made a big deal of leaving.  Of course that was when they were puppies and now that they are 4 and 3 1/2 years old they walk me to the door when I leave I give them each a cookie and of course tell them I love them and I will be home soon.  The crates have been put away for 2 1/2 years now.  I think if you over think things and get yourself all worried you will transfer that anxiety to Stewart.  They are soooooo smart and pick up on EVERYTHING !!!  I lived in a two family house for years and I had two Shih tzus they would charge the door every time someone came in or out and bark like crazy.  I was lucky that the people upstairs had dogs as well and we all were cool that dogs bark and did not complain (I was lucky).  I think you and Steward will work things out and once he is neutered he may calm down as well.  Keep up the good work and let him know you are the boss :)  Good luck Jess and keep us posted.

[Deborah Brown]

Great!  I hope you get some good advice and a plan for success.  :)

I think Stew will be stressed to be away from you but maybe this is a good time to break a bad pattern for him.  Let us know what the trainer says.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I agree, this sounds like a good plan, Jess. I agree with Nancy about trying to include your neighbor in the solution. Stew will be fine with your sister and sending you both wishes for a speedy recovery!  WIll be interested in what the behaviorist says. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Wishing you the very best in your search for a solution to the barking problem. I think Nancy's idea of incuding the neighbours is a great one. I look forward to some good updates on this.