Safe to be left together?

ElizabethWebb · Rookie

Safe to be left together?

bluesmumanddad · Master

Hi Elizabeth.

When our Greyhound Blue came to live with us he used to howl during the night for the first 3 months. This eventually became better but he used to wake early.

Like you we kept him in the kitchen and were reluctant to leave him in the lounge as he had chewed boxes etc that he found in the kitchen.

We eventually plucked up the courage to leave him in the living room and we saw a vast improvement. Where before I could never be sure he hadn't been crying whilst we were out now we know he is much happier as he is normally sound asleep on his back infront of the large picture window when we return!

Maybe your Lurcher will feel happier if surrounded by the things it is used to when you are in.

As for leaving the 2 dogs together ... when we fostered a dog we found that they were happier together than separated as the foster dog would bark if it couldn't see Blue.

Maybe you could try them together during the night so you can listen for problems and them start leaving them together during the day in short bursts until you are confident they will be ok.

Hope this is of some use. Let us know how you get on!

FAJ · Enlightened One

Here's what happened with our two.

We had Pearly for approx a year and she got over separatiion anxiety/pee pee probs with the use of a crate and being confined to the kitchen with a dog gate. We left her regularly and for longish periods. We never shut the door on her - she went daft if we did that.

Two months ago we got big Harry - as he was new and a big lad we were not sure about leaving them together. When we let Pearly have the run of the hall and stairs, and Harry was confined to the kitchen, he didn't like it at all and started chewing.

We took the decision to keep them together confined to the kitchen with the dog gate and this works for us. They are left for longish periods each dayand so far no trouble or noise. They make up for this when we come back from work.

Basically - the new lad wanted to be with Pearly and that helped him with his anxiety.. He does not like being on his own at the moment - but we've only had him 2 months or so.. I'm sure he would be okay around the house when we are not there (he's never peed or pooed inside) but we are not giving him that option.

Both are kept in the kitchen overnight and thankfully both very quiet until 5.30 an onwards!

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Elizabeth, can yuo please contact GAL's follow up co-ordinator Carole on carole@gal.org.uk she'll be able to give you some very good advice on this one..

cheers

Dave

Calatria · Master

When Belle arrived, we never left her alone with our older dog. He's doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body, but better safe than sorry. After a few weeks we decided to try it, and we found it made all the difference for the pup. She settled so much quicker, it was as if she needed the reassurance of another dog when we were out.

ElizabethWebb · Rookie

Some success with the information provided through this forum! Thank you! We took the decision to leave the dogs together in the room where Archie, our older dog, sleeps. This so far has worked out really well, and Seamus, our Lurcher, has really become quite attached to Archie, not that Archie feels the same way just yet! We are not getting any howling at night any more, and I am pretty sure it has stopped through the day- I have started to tell them to go to their beds just as I am going out. I have left, locked up the doors, and hung around to hear any ‘activity’ of which there has been none, on my return they appear at the top of the stairs- i.e. just out of their beds. Seamus does tend to follow us about in the house but I don’t think this is really a problem and could just be because he is new to us. So far, I think he has settled in very well, and proving himself to be a lovely natured dog!

Nicki · Big Cheese

yep, even after nearly 3 years Janie still follows me everywhere.

nicki and janie.x

bluesmumanddad · Master

Hmm Blue follows us too! Must be because he loves us soooo much.. nothing to do with the fact he is tring to stuff his nose in our pockets to look for treats!

Lizzie · Rookie

Although things are going generally well, Seamus has developed one quite serious problem. He has started to pee in our 2 year old sons bedroom in the night when he gets the opportunity. And i KNOW he does not need to go. For example, last night 11pm, i made both Archie and Seamus go out for a widdle. Both of them just stood there, waiting to get back inside. I eventually gave in and asked them to go to their beds. As i am aware that Seamus will take the chance to pee in my sons room if he can, i shut the bedroom door at night. However at 3am this morning, as 2 year olds do- my son got up and opened his bedroom door- giving Seamus the change to relieve himself. Again this morning i am cleaning pee from the carpet.

I have two thoughts about this- firstly, that it might territory thing, or because he peed in the room (when he first came to us) that he thinks that is where it is okay to go. Two things which are going to happen- this weekend i am getting out the industrial carpet shampooer, and secondly, Seamus is going for a wee Op, he can keep the purse, but the pennies are going- if you know what i mean.

Has anyone else experienced this? is there anything that can deter him?

Christine Young · GAL Newsletter Editor

Hi Lizzie

Hopefully Seamus' op will work. I think you may be right that it's a territorial thing for him to pee in your little boy's bedroom and if so his op should sort him out.

Good luck and hope things work out quickly after Seamus has been neutered.

Christine

Dave · Enlightened One

Hi Lizzie, it does sound like some kind of teritorial / dominance thing surrounding your son and the dog, I'm sure the op will solve the problem, remember though it may take up to 3 months after the op for Seamus to lose all of his loose change (if you catch my drift) so don't expect an overnight solution..

Teresa · Enlightened One

dave(thedog) (- notice how long his name has got ?????) used to pee on the carpet whenever we had strangers in the house.........the plumber, electrician etc.

he was neutered back in March and, since then, he hasn't done it so it would seem that the op may well be the answer you are looking for.

he's also much less interested in small fluffy animals tho still most definitely not completely safe with small dogs in the park !!