I’m sorry to hear this Fiona, it must have been a very hard decision to do make. It’s unfortunate that you just can’t pick your neighbours and given the circumstances you really did make a decision based on what was best for your dog. I’m glad to hear she is happy in her new home! Best, Doggy Dan

A lot of dogs do find this quite challenging Jo. From their perspective they are surrounded by lots of potential dangers that they are unable to get away from if they needed to, plus they also have to worry about your safety as well. The reality that something dangerous actually happening are slim, we know that, but our dogs really don’t! So when we leave them tethered in public spaces they can become quite unsettled and anxious about what may happen. Try tethering your dog closer to where you are playing at the park and practice going into the shops for short periods and then return to your dog without saying anything to them, just be as matter-of-fact about it as you can. Best, Doggy Dan

Hi Lindsay,
Chewing and destruction when owners are away from the home can be a sign of a dog who is suffering from Separation Anxiety or just a general level of anxiety. There doesn’t have to be any barking for a dog to suffer from this issue. The key is trying to identify if this is the cause of the chewing. Make sure you leave chews and toys out for your dog to access while you are gone and when you return from home delay greeting him until he is totally calm and has left you alone for around 5 minutes.
You may like to have a look at my website TheOnlineDogTrainer.com shows for some guidance here…its a $1 trial for 3 days…all the best Doggy Dan

Hi Jen, thanks for your kind feedback!
Remember if you are a member of my website that you can ask questions anytime on the Forum and we will answer them for you.
With dogs who are barking to alert you to something, and who are also deaf, I generally advise owners to go straight to Step 2 and go to where your dog is and have a look around. Be really careful not to startle your dog by approaching them from behind because if he can’t hear you coming it may give him a fright. Approach him from the side and stand beside or in front of him so that he can see you assessing the danger. The rest of the process can be followed as advised. All the best….Doggy Dan

My issue is my older pup. He has gone mostly deaf. He was perfectly responding to “Thank you” and would immediately stop barking. Now he can’t hear me. I have used some hand signals, but this obviously only works when he looks at me. Any ideas?

Thanks for your help and all you do for dogs!
Jen

Hi Cherie, no..not the most willful ever but more willful than some ! I would suggest that you are correct in both your guesses as to why he is behaving that way. The solution is two parts. 1. There will be a number of things that will help him understand he is not the pack leader and it is not his job. 2. Then some very cool tools and techniques to show him that barking is not necessary…(All inside my video website http://theonlinedogtrainer.com – still currently only a $1 trial !) Hopefully it will be a $1 trial forever but you never know. People may be still reading this is the year 2056 🙂 regards Dan

Hi Deanna, almost certainly your dear dog is suffering from what is called Separation Anxiety SA. (Stress when left, hence the whinge/cry) I have found that the most successful, and simplest solution is to implement my 5 Golden Rules, which can be found for a $1 trial inside my video website ! http://theonlinedogtrainer.com There is a whole section about SA but basically the solution comes down to some pretty simple stuff. Hope that points you in the direction of a great solution 🙂

I have a husky 8yr old female, fine when we leave, but when we come back will whinge/cry and howl. Use to have a huntaway as well, so both use to make noise, one barking and one howling!! Not good 10pm at night etc!

Hi Deborah,
ha ha! Your comment makes me smile as it reminds me of just how many issues can be sorted by becoming the pack leader. Pulling washing off the line and excessive digging (some digging is normal) but anything which becomes much worse or only happens when you are not there is almost certainly S.A separation anxiety. Put simply your dog stresses when you leave them. So..The solution…is become the pack leader and all will be well. Check out my video website http://theonlinedogtrainer.com and thank me later 🙂
My Free podcast on toilet training explains how to get your dog to toilet in one place. It is on this blog also. Enjoy – Doggy Dan