Separation Anxiety - Goldendoodle 8 Months

[Chris]

Hi There,

I just joined DK today, as I was really thrilled to find a place where Doodle Parents can share wisdom, along with the joy, love and craziness of our beloved Doodles.   We have two lovely girls - Carley, who is 8 years old and Lucy who is 8 month old.   They have been best pals since Lucy came home at 3 months.

Lucy is the typical friendly, crazy ball of energy Puppy, but is a gentle little girl who is well behaved for the most part (we are working on some counter surfing, but other than that, she's pretty good).

One area that we have struggled with since she was young is separation anxiety.  When she was younger, she would howl when we would leave the room, and going out was an even more challenging.  However, over the next few months, we read more about SA, talked with our vet and learned some strategies that have helped.

Now that she is older, Lucy has free roam of the kitchen and living room when we are not home, and we don't worry that she will be destructive in any way.  We have found that she is very comfortable in the living room and kitchen, and it has helped her SA.  Additionally, we give her a good hard run before we go out to tire her out, a Kong filled with frozen bananas, kibble and peanut butter just before we leave, and always leave classical music playing.   All and all, this has worked well to combat the howling, and has kept her fairly calm during the day (outside of some barking when the UPS driver comes :).

While behaviour wise, she has calmed down, the one area we still struggle with when we leave the house, and even sometimes when we leave the room, is peeing in the house.    If we leave, even for 1 hour, she will pee, fortunately for us, only in the kitchen which is tiled - so cleanup fairly easy.

Prior to leaving, we always make sure she is completely empty and also take away her water so she's not filling her bladder while we are gone.   We have linked the peeing in the house to her SA, as she will never pee in the house when we are home or in the room with her.  

I have read some wonderful posts and value the experience the DK Mom and Dads have with SA.  I am wondering what strategies have worked for those who have experienced the same.    

Thank you in advance:)

[Christine & Shelby]

I don't have any experience with SA, but wanted to say I am sure you will get some great advice here from other members. Welcome to DoodleKisses!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When you leave is Carly in the same area of the house as Lucy?  I'm guessing that the peeing is anxiety related since it only happens when you're not at home.  I find that my two Doodles help each other to stay relaxed when we leave them.  I really think everything that you've done to control the SA is working well....I think the fact that the howling is under control says that Lucy is getting more comfortable.  This may just be one last step that she has to work through and hopefully she'll outgrow it.  It's a positive that it's a tiled floor from a clean up standpoint.  I'm sure you know it but it is always important to use something like Nature's Miracle to ensure that all traces of scent are removed.  Welcome to Doodle Kisses!

[Chris]

I wanted to provide a bit of an update.

Lucy has continued to struggle with peeing inside the house.   Oddly enough, there are some occasions when we will leave her alone for 2-3 hours and there is no pee whatsoever.   However, those times are few and far between.  

This has been quite a struggle - and to be honest, has been very difficult to deal with.  Coming home each and everyday from work to clean up pee, is quite frustrating.  Not being able to know how to her help her is even worse.  

We have scaled back on allowing her to do things in order to create some level of distance to help give her more independence  - such as allowing for more roaming while we are home and not allowing her to be up on our bed (she sleeps in her own next to ours).   However, it still hasn't helped.

Wondering if anyone has any other suggestions?

[Marianne Kay]

Welcome! You have found some great strategies, therefore congratulations. On the other hand, I can imagine how discouraging it is to have a dog peeing in the house.  Doodles observe everything, I have found. And sometimes they think they are a human family member and want to be included in everything, even a hug between people! Pierre has had a milder form of SA, and it has become better over the years. I talk to him and let him know if I will be back soon, emphasis on soon. Or I tell him I will be gone for a while, but I will be back, emphasis on back. Sometimes he is lucky, and I tell him he is going with me. Then the big tail wags. I always have made a point to talk directly to him to let him know, before I leave the house, what he should expect. You may want to try a special treat when you get home to a dry house, and praise her. You might start with short 15 minute times. Reward for a dry house. Lucy was a very, emphasis, very good girl! Then go to 20 minutes, and build it up. I was lucky with Pierre, on this front.