Night fright

My rescue Staffie, Harley, who featured in Dogs Today (as Domino) last year as needing a home, has started suffering separation anxiety. Strangely he seems to be fine when we go out in the day, it’s when my dad and I go upstairs at night. He's driving my mum nuts. Does anyone have any suggestions to help him with this?

Howling for mum or me?

Dear Dogs Today Think Tank,

I have two dogs; mum Staffie (Tally), seven years, and son (Marley), four years old.

When I take the mum out for a walk I found out that the son howls at the window, I found this out when my neighbour mentioned it. Apparently it had been going on for months and she said nothing.

The four-year-old Marley follows me about a lot like a lost puppy sometimes, but is it his mum he is howling for or me?

He does not howl when with his mum is with him, or when someone else is here.

How can I get him out of that howling when I take his mum for a walk?

They are far too strong to walk together.

I have heard the howls from across the road and they sound heartbreaking.

Hope someone can help.

Kind regards,

Simon John Wilson, by email

Bundle of nerves

Dear Dogs Today,

My 10-month-old Yorkie has terrible separation anxiety. I’ve had her since she was 7.5 weeks old and I understand now that she was too young to be taken from her mother. She follows me around the house, cries when I crate her at night and howls non-stop when I go out the house.

I’ve tried a DAP diffuser, medication from the vets and herbal medication from the pet shop as well as ignoring her when she cries but nothing helps. Last night she cried for six hours and I was so exhausted I let her into my bed so myself and everyone in the house could sleep.

The only time she relaxes without me there is when another dog is with her but I’m not currently in a good situation to buy a second dog. I really hope someone can help as it’s affecting my life. I’m not sure whether she’s doing it because she’s miserable or to control me?

Whichever it is, it needs to stop.

Maria, London, by email

Anxious of separation

We have recently given a home to a lovely little Tibetan Terrier. She is seven years old and an ex-breeding bitch, who has spent her entire life on a puppy farm. The poor girlie was so traumatised and timid when she arrived, but now after just five weeks she has settled really well and loves all members of the family. She has a particular affection for me as I spend the most time with her and, unfortunately, she cries when I leave the house even if she has another family member with her. This has started to improve slowly and I have faith that, in time, she will accept whoever is with her. However, the real problem arises when she is left alone in the house at anytime, she becomes totally stressed, pacing back and forth. She howls and cries, scratches at the door and rips at the carpet. The damage is not a huge issue, but the fact that she is so stressed is my real worry; her little heart races; she shakes and pants. I am trying to build up by popping out for short spells and making a huge fuss when I come back (if she has been quiet, which she will do for very short spells sometimes). The maximum that I would ever leave her is two to three hours and only occasionally. Incidentally, I can leave her strapped in my car and she is very happy.

Therefore I need some ideas please as to how best to deal with leaving her alone in the house.

She also has a habit of chewing and licking her paws; I read that the breed can be fussy about dirty feet, so I wipe them off when we come indoors. But the biting at her paws does worry me as this may have been a way of stimulating herself when she was stuck in a pen all day. She has no idea how to play and is not interested in dog toys; she does, however, love chews, but only if she has company and is happy.

I would really appreciate any tips on how to make life better for this darling girl, she has made such great progress with housetraining and walking on her lead, so we know she is a clever girl.

Many thanks.

Caroline Harris, by email

He now hates to be alone

We've recently had a lot of upheaval and I really do fear that it's really upset my poor dog.
My husband narrowly missed being made redundant by accepting an overseas post. We have sold our house and moved into rented accommodation as we are now contemplating moving overseas if this new post works out.
As my husband is now away for several weeks at a time, I'm alone with our dog Jack a lot of the time and he has been a great comfort to me.
However, I now find that when I do have to leave him to go shopping he gets really distressed. After years of good behaviour he's started scratching doors and chewing the furniture, he's even started forgetting his housetraining.
Now we are in rented housing this change in behaviour is really difficult to cope with.
What can I do to get Jack used to being alone again?
Is there anything I can give him to make everything a bit less stressful as I suspect he's picking up my angst, too as he and I are increasingly in tune!
I've shed a few tears and he's been a great hairy shoulder to cry on!
I've started doing online shopping for my supermarket food - but there are some times when I really do need to go out and he can't come. It just breaks my heart to see him so upset.
Name and address supplied

She'll never walk alone with me

My wife (Ann) and I got a puppy in September 2008. She is a Labrador-Springer Spaniel cross, very energetic and intelligent. The problem is that she will not walk with me on my own.
Ann does not work and so Daisy is with her all day. I am first up in the morning and feed and groom her and let her into the garden to relieve herself before going to work. I have trained her to do basic obedience in the house and the back garden. Daisy will retrieve and will drop a ball for me (most of the time) whereas she is more reluctant with my wife. She will play with both of us in the park with a ball or stick. She will come and lie on either or both of us in the evening whilst we watch the TV.
When I take her out of the door on a lead, she will go a few yards, then look round and look for Ann. If she is not coming, Daisy's head goes down, she stops, put her paws down at an angle and refuses to move forward. Even dragging her a bit or giving her treats will only get me a few yards.
If we go out together, I can have the lead and she will happily walk. If my wife walks at the front and I follow 20 yards behind, that is also fine. If we go to the supermarket, she will happily walk round quite a large carpark a couple of times until Ann comes out of the shop.
We have tried Ann walking behind us and then dropping off down a side road or doing the same in front. Each time Daisy notices that this has happened she refuses to move.
We would both love to find out what I have done or not done to cause this problem.
Bob Davies, by email