Puppies and seperation anxiety??

[babydex]

Do puppies suffer from seperation anxiety??? My Dexter just seems like he is not happy here. He gets LOADS of attention and love, spends a very minimal time in his kennel. Lots of toys, games, and treats. However when we come home I don't get so much as a tail wiggle. When we have play time on the floor after potty and nap it's usually not for very long and then it's nap time again. It's as though he's depressed and all he wants to do is sleep and eat...well and of course go potty!
So of course the question goes through my head what are we doing wrong???
He seems to perk up at other people just not us. The time I've seen him the most rambucious was when he met his first future playmate. a one yr old shitzu. They played straight for 20 minutes....other than that it's like we're not fun enough.
Any helpful thoughts??? Or maybe just some listening ears!!!

Suffering from Dexter rejection:( - Jodi and Dean

 

[Thomas Liggin]

Our experience has been that our dogs always get more excited when someone different comes to our home. They fall all over each other to get the visitor's attention.

Ours rarely lick us, but will wear the skin off a stranger if given the chance. Some may show more excitement than others, but the excessive attention given to visitors seems to be the norm.

When I walk in the house, I'm lucky to get them to lift their heads to see who it is. But I'm around all day.

When my daughter and wife return home from work, they'll go ballistic, barking excitedly as they watch them approach the house, then it's a dash to the door where they will enter. Once they are in, the dogs give a few wiggles of greeting, then calm down.

The greetings for visitors last much longer.

It's amazing that we humans are even jealous when it comes to our dogs' displays of affection and interest.


Tom


Tom

 

[harley03]

All puppies sleep alot. Harley did when he was young but now he is awake most (if not all) of each day...
It's the puppy motto, eat, sleep, potty and play. :D

 

[LuvMyGirls]

This is the way our vet explained it to us. When you bring the pup home he is first missing his litter mates. So he replaces you and your family as his litter mates. So when you go away, it upsets him. It would be best to seperate yourself from him for 10 to 15 mins each day. Put him in his crate (if you are using one) so that he gets some good crate time. And he will also see that you are coming back! Then as he gets older make that time longer and do it 2 to 3 times a day. Make sure when you put him in his crate that he cant see you. He will yell and cry like he is being killed, but do not fear...he is fine!! It will be hard not to run in and save him...but this is best for everyone!
Good Luck!
LuvsMyGirls lovicon

 

[ariane]

i found tank also slept quite a bit when we first brought him home.... i am guessing that dexter just needs a little time to adjust to the new environment around him. (by the way that is a really cute name :p ) i wouldn't feel too badly, chances are you mean much more to him than you realize, as you are all the love and security in his little world! i'm betting that when he settles in a little more and grows a little more confidant in his surroundings he will shower you with tons of affection.

 

[Indegirl]

I know what you mean about Dexter. When Inde sees other people she gets so excited that you would think that I ignore her the other 22 hours out of the day.

It has helped me that when I get home and let her out of her kennel, we spend about 5 minutes just saying hello. I am also trying to teach her to hug - I kneel down and she puts her paws on my shoulders and then nuzzles my neck.

Don't worry, I am sure she loves you lots, but doesn't know how to show it yet.

 

[Tugga's Mom]

separation anxiety

I read that if you leave your dog alone for periods of time (i.e. work, errand, etc.) that you should not make a big deal about it. Just lock him/her up and say in normal voice I'll see you in a bit and when you come back don't go immediately to them. Take your shoes off put your coat up or whatever. Then let them out for a few minutes before you start showering them with you affection. I know this sounds very hard and it is but my baby has adjusted pretty fast to our work schedule. At first he would cry and howl (yes howl) like we were beating him or something, but now after only 3 weeks he'll just let out a few small wimpers and then lays down on his blanket. He knows its not a big deal because we don't make it a big deal.

Jane, Tim, and Tugga

 

[Shooter's Mom]

Our Shooter is like Boxer Insane's. People who are not in our house daily get more of the kidney beans,jumps in the air,licks.
This is my 7th and they have all been about the same whether male or female.
This Shooter dose growl if he's in and it's a complete stranger.
He is friendly once the person is welcomed by us he gets the
star treatment.

 

[babydex]

Thank you all for the support and feedback.....
Luckily for Dexter our work schedules allow him to be with someone about 21 hrs. a day, on a bad day he's in his kennel for a max of 4 hrs. we even turn the radio on for him while we're gone. Usually when I come home he's layin there and just gives me a sad look. I put my things down and open the kennel he takes his time getting out. Then it's potty time.....after that it has been maybe 2 occasions that I've gotten a kiss. I'm sure things will get better with time....however it really throws me off when our daughter gets home (she's 5) he goes nuts! I'm thinkin because she's fun and more his size...right now!
Thanks again everyone!

Jodi, Dean, Madi and Baby Dexter!

 

[ariane]

tank always gets more excited when the kiddies in the family come to visit.... boxers love children! i think if we had kids here all the time tank would forget who i am! ....