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echase76

central PA

Posts:5

06/06/2012 8:43 AM
I have a well trained 8 year old GSP (Stanley) that is strugging with a new environment. For the past 4 years he had a 1/2 acre fenced yard and was as happy as could be. We recently moved and no longer have a good yard for him. We have a small 20x20 fenced area and a nice coverd porch for him during the day (im full time and my wife is part time). Recently he has been acting nervous and almost refusing to go outside for the day. He has also escaped twice, but that problem is solved. The neighbors are reporting that he is causing quite a rucus all day long. We are looking for any help we can to get Stanley comfortable in his new environment!

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1217

06/06/2012 9:00 AM
Is he getting any outings besides backyard for exercise? Do you have woods where he can have some off lead run time in the evenings when you get home? It also sounds like he may be experiencing some separation anxiety (barking, not wanting to go outside...). This is probably due to the move and the newness of his new routine. More excercise may be a good option for both. If he can run off some steam in the evenings he may be more content during the day.

echase76

central PA

Posts:5

06/06/2012 9:07 AM
I think you are probably right about separation anxiety. He was a pretty aloof dog as a youngster when it came to people, but recently he has become more of a family dog. Any thoughts on how to help with that? We do have a place for him to run in the evening. I will admit that since our move I have probably not been putting in enough exercise time. We'll see if that helps.

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1217

06/06/2012 9:50 AM
I know there are some great websites and reading regarding separation anxiety. Bella also has it since I am mostly home with her. We kennel her when we are not home and I have found that she is much more at ease if I kennel her about 20 min before I go anywhere. Not sure when you put him out for the day and if this could carry Over for being outside too. That way she has time while I'm still home to come to terms with being kenneled and that I will be leaving. It is when I lose track of time and have to put her in shortly before I go that she terrorizes her kennel and whines. It is also the absolute only time she barks. So maybe try putting him out with time to spare, pop out a couple of times and dont make a fuss over him just let him see you are there. Don't make a huge deal wen you get home (I have read they then anticipate that exuberant greeting and it makes them more anxious for your return). I'm sure with time he will come to accept the changes. He's an older fellow so change is tough. Especially to lose his beloved space and playground. I think some more exercise to blow off steam may do wonders.

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3155

06/06/2012 2:16 PM
also maybe don't put him out when you leave maybe try a kennel/crate in the house... I am just glad you were able to keep him with your move so many don't or can't...

echase76

central PA

Posts:5

06/06/2012 3:01 PM
The crate brings up another problem we just ran into. We have a crate and he was crated from a pup up until about 4 yo. Since that time he has been rarely crated. We tried to crate him recently and it was a disaster. He acutally bent the door of the crate to get out. This being a plastic crate with a fairly heavy duty door! We may have to go back to step one with the crate unless there are any great ideas to re-crate train.

Max2

Oneonta NY

MH
Posts:1123

06/07/2012 4:33 AM
How about if the next time you have a couple days off in a row. Make those day's all about him. 1st up at 7:00 for hour walk threw new "hood" then back pop him into the 20 x 20 go in the house have coffee see how he does. When he starts looking antsy get him & go a different direction.( don't let him know it's his idea) these guy's are smart that will be the hard part. Maybe another walk in a different directions. The plus to if you are the new guy's you may get to meet some of your neighbors which will help change you from the people with the rucus dog to the new face on the block. People love to complain but also like to meet new people. People like shorthairs are social creatures .

Chris

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4476

06/07/2012 6:06 AM
The problem you are having is due to your dog not being able to self calm due to a slack in obedience training. I would go back to basics and reteach and train sit,down,heel and crate. For the crate I would do this when I have time to spare. Be in the room with him and send him in the crate - no coaxing or tricking with treats- it's a command. Leave the door open. Does he walk in and walk out? Teach/train him that crate actually means to stay in there until told to exit. This will require a lot of patience but dogs will put up less of a rucous if the door is open and we are in the room with them- it just requires you pay attention and ALWAYS catch every time they want to exit and reinforce the command. Start out with small time frames and extend as he improves.

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3155

06/07/2012 6:57 AM
I helped my friend with her dog that had SA and crate issues... the dog is a lot better but isn't perfect but is at a point that my friend can deal with it... we had to reinforce the cage with chains and clips so that she couldn't break it apart (metal cage)... I did the crate training work since at the time I wasn't working, kept the dog for a month at my house (my friend worked)... the crate was by my computer desk so I would do as Pixie said and have the dog go in and stay in with the door open... I would sit at the PC and just do whatever... then I would release the dog... then other times I would close the door... soon I would not just sit at the PC but I would move around the room (I would clean)... soon I would move in and out of the room... the dog did learn to relax more in the crate... She isn't perfect as she does still try to break out at times just depending but the crate is strong enough to keep her in now... For SA and crate training it is super important that when you do leave you just leave... no telling the dog to be good and watch the house... also when you come home let the dog out of the cage (release them) but no talking just let them outside to go potty...you can even come home and if you need to put groceries away first before releasing them... the key is to not let htem get excited about when you leave or when you come home...

echase76

central PA

Posts:5

06/07/2012 8:41 AM
Thanks for all the great tips! I got him out to some fields yesterday and he clearly needed to blow off some steam. One thing I did yesterday and this morning was play with him in his yard. Trying to make him feel more comfortable in his space and it seemed to help some. Since we moved we have been lax on the training. I think that is something we have to get going again. We have noticed in the past that when we slack on training reminders his behavior slides. Time to get out the lead and e-collar and do some work. I'm now kicking myself for letting the crate training go. He was great in the crate for years and then we had a place where he could be outside all day and now it sounds like back to square one with the crate. We will try and get to that when we have some time. Thanks for the tips on how to get started again with crate training! Based on all the comments and thinking about my dog's behavior I suspect a lot of the issues might be solved with renewed training, more exercise and more attention during down times. I think he might be telling us that we are not putting enough time in with him to make him comfortable in his new space.

Max2

Oneonta NY

MH
Posts:1123

06/08/2012 4:18 AM
My take on it is he just has to get used to his new surrounding. At this point I bet he is still wondering when he is going back to the old house. In a short time this will all be behind you .

Chris

echase76

central PA

Posts:5

06/26/2012 9:26 AM
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all the ideas. Stanley is doing better in his new environment. Unfortunately he hurt his back and we are unable to run him for a bit which is making him crazy. Hopefully he heals soon and we can get back on track. Eric

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1217

06/26/2012 10:51 AM
Hate to hear he is injured, but happy to hear he is adapting and doing better. Wishing him a speedy recovery so he can run out his GSP crazies

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