Husband and I having trouble having "alone time"..............

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

Hello all! I have a personal question/problem... So my goldendoodle Midas is almost 2 years old, April 15th, we got him at 7 weeks old, I know that's young but we drove to the breeder in Maryland and couldn't drive back the next week..anyways.. lately my husband and I have been having trouble getting "alone time".. we used to be able to just go in our room, close the door and not hear a peep except a huff and a puff and as we call it "plop" when he plops on the floor outside the door lol.. so as of late when we sneak into our room he has been starting up with his high pitched puppy annoying bark.. not his "big boy someones at the door bark".. he almost yelps and cries and hits his nose against the door knob... we try and ignore it for a bit but its constant.. then we say "be quite!!" and he gets louder!!! we put on "dogTv" for him which is a channel for dogs, that doesn't help, I can leave him with a bone or treat, he doesn't care and wont eat it until we come out.. we have resorted to having to come back out and put the shock collar on him.. not using it, but just putting it on.. and lately that has been working..we hear him "plop" whimper a bit then he quiets down.. but I feel so bad doing that.. we don't shock him, but he knows it could happen when the collar is on...so he behaves.. it has gotten to the point that hubby and I don't even bother to have alone time that often because we know the hassle it has become.. I know that's not fair to us, we are a young married couple and we spend so much time with Midas that we deserve a little alone time. does anyone else have this problem? I know a co worker of mine does, she even has to put all tvs on PLUS the shower, and her dog thinks they are going to bathe her and so she stays quiet.. any others with this issue? any tips advice? anything? thanks in advance..

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Seriously, WTD?

Just do it

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing Joanne.  What is the issue with having the dog in the room?

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

LOL!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

BWAHAHAHAHA! Agreed! He won't tell!

[Jordan & Daisy]

I feel your pain!!!!! I don't have a good solution for you but just know that you are not alone!! LOL, they are just like having kids. :) 

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

I am with you too.  Plus Archie is very protective over my girlfriend (so when I am ya know...) HAHA he tends to jump up on the bed and protect.  Its impossible to do it with him in the room.  With him out we can ONLY sometimes pull it off, but rarely...

[Julie and Max]

I know you said you tried a bone or treat, but have you tried something really high value like a frozen kong? I put things like salmon, apples, lactose free yogurt and mix in a bit of kibble. 

[Leslie J]

Cocoa was doing this high pitched nonstop bark the last two times we were at the vet. The vet tech told me that this high pitched bark is a "panic bark". It sounds like Midas has separation anxiety and worries when he's separated from his "pack".

I'm not sure how to resolve it-maybe you can help him by separating in small amounts of time and gradually he'll realize that it's going to be okay- kind of like we do with kids.

[Sally S Miles]

Is he crate trained?  Put him in his crate - if it's in your bedroom get a nice dark sheet and drape over it,  yes the whining at such times would be stupidly annoying and distracting.    It is like having kids! Just remember to turn the stereo on to not disturb him with your activities/sounds.

Small increments, nibble away at the time frame - call it what you will - (use it for whatever) - but ten minutes here, build up to fifteen, then so on - -

You definitely need your alone time and he's only going to learn to get over it if you put the priority to work on a regular basis - they get used to things and it's like crate training, or any other form of separation anxiety - - they need practice to get over it.    Prior to your alone time, make sure he has been exercised - too tired to care where you are  :)     Breathe deep - turn on the stereo. If he has a favorite toy, let him have it only when he has to wait on you, he will figure it out.  

[Adina P]

He might just huff and puff and plop on the floor if you let him in the room.  Give it a try, you might be surprised at how disinterested in your 'alone time' ;-)  Does he ever get up on your bed or anything?  If not, you probably have nothing to worry about. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

" huff and puff". Sound effects? ;)

[Julie and Max]

I do what Adina said. He knows he's not allowed on that bed, it was kind of weird the first few times having a dog staring at you o.o. He soon grew bored and wandered off though.