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Separation Anxiety

BrianLovesAkitas

BrianLovesAkitas

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Hiya! Despite my name, I am probably going to get a German Shepard. Im going to adopt an older one, I don't know the age of it but it will be over 1 year. Will a dog in an adoption centre have seperation anxiety because they were removed from their past owners? I go to school from 8 - 3 and would not like my dog to be sad or think I'm not coming back to it. I don't want the dog to suffer.
 
What exactly have you been researching for nearly a decade? There is no guarantee :confused:

I would be a lot more concerned about the health and behavioural problems associated with German shepherds. The rescue will be able to tell you about the individual dog. Most rescues actually pair you with a dog THEY think is best for you.
 
Kayak said:
What exactly have you been researching for nearly a decade? There is no guarantee :confused:

I would be a lot more concerned about the health and behavioural problems associated with German shepherds. The rescue will be able to tell you about the individual dog. Most rescues actually pair you with a dog THEY think is best for you.
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The website I chose says that you pick one you like online, then you go visit and play with them a bit. Next, they come check your house then you bring them home. After a few weeks, they check your house again. I've just been researching dogs. Dogs in general. What they eat what they shouldnt eat how to train puppies how to introduce them, best collars, best toys, best things for dogs in general.
 
BrianLovesAkitas said:
Hiya! Despite my name, I am probably going to get a German Shepard. Im going to adopt an older one, I don't know the age of it but it will be over 1 year. Will a dog in an adoption centre have seperation anxiety because they were removed from their past owners? I go to school from 8 - 3 and would not like my dog to be sad or think I'm not coming back to it. I don't want the dog to suffer.
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Most likely not but some might do. I'm glad you've settled on the breed @BrianLovesAkitas
 
Any dog can have separation anxiety - it will be down to the individual. 8-3 is a long time to leave a dog - it's often recommended you don't leave a dog for over four hours, so it would certainly be better if you can have a dog sitter/walker come round in the middle of the day.

If a dog has come from a rescue, particularly if it's been kennelled, it may not have shown signs of SA in its previous situation but it can develop it. And even if it's not in a rescue you will of course be removing it from its previous home.

The key to avoiding or curing SA is to work very gradually, at the dog's on pace, leaving him for increasingly long amounts of time. For that reason, it would make sense to plan to adopt at the start of the summer holidays (even if it means you have to miss out on a trip away). Then you can let the dog settle in and get a feeling for how anxious he is (like if he follows you to the bathroom) and build up over the course of the holiday. This does mean that by the end of the holiday you'll have to find somewhere to go for several hours most days even if you'd rather be at home!
 
JudyN said:
Any dog can have separation anxiety - it will be down to the individual. 8-3 is a long time to leave a dog - it's often recommended you don't leave a dog for over four hours, so it would certainly be better if you can have a dog sitter/walker come round in the middle of the day.

If a dog has come from a rescue, particularly if it's been kennelled, it may not have shown signs of SA in its previous situation but it can develop it. And even if it's not in a rescue you will of course be removing it from its previous home.

The key to avoiding or curing SA is to work very gradually, at the dog's on pace, leaving him for increasingly long amounts of time. For that reason, it would make sense to plan to adopt at the start of the summer holidays (even if it means you have to miss out on a trip away). Then you can let the dog settle in and get a feeling for how anxious he is (like if he follows you to the bathroom) and build up over the course of the holiday. This does mean that by the end of the holiday you'll have to find somewhere to go for several hours most days even if you'd rather be at home!
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when i leave olive i leave her for 6-8 hours during the day why would i need a walker or sitter for this period of time?
 
JudyN said:
Any dog can have separation anxiety - it will be down to the individual. 8-3 is a long time to leave a dog - it's often recommended you don't leave a dog for over four hours, so it would certainly be better if you can have a dog sitter/walker come round in the middle of the day.

If a dog has come from a rescue, particularly if it's been kennelled, it may not have shown signs of SA in its previous situation but it can develop it. And even if it's not in a rescue you will of course be removing it from its previous home.

The key to avoiding or curing SA is to work very gradually, at the dog's on pace, leaving him for increasingly long amounts of time. For that reason, it would make sense to plan to adopt at the start of the summer holidays (even if it means you have to miss out on a trip away). Then you can let the dog settle in and get a feeling for how anxious he is (like if he follows you to the bathroom) and build up over the course of the holiday. This does mean that by the end of the holiday you'll have to find somewhere to go for several hours most days even if you'd rather be at home!
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The thing is that my parents dont really want to hire a dog walker as they see it as a waste of money and they think it might distance the relationship between me and my dog.
 
Violet Turner said:
when i leave olive i leave her for 6-8 hours during the day why would i need a walker or sitter for this period of time?
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Why not try sitting in a room with no activity and no access to a toilet for 8 hours. That might answer your question.
 
BrianLovesAkitas said:
The thing is that my parents dont really want to hire a dog walker as they see it as a waste of money and they think it might distance the relationship between me and my dog.
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it could effect the relationship. but if you feel you need it get one. @JoanneF i think he is worried. he's 13 you could explain it better!
 
BrianLovesAkitas said:
The thing is that my parents dont really want to hire a dog walker as they see it as a waste of money and they think it might distance the relationship between me and my dog.
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What nonsense. If you think it's ok to leave a dog for that length of time with no stimulation and no toilet break, you should not be even considering a dog.
 
JoanneF said:
What nonsense. If you think it's ok to leave a dog for that length of time with no stimulation and no toilet break, you should not be even considering a dog.
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how long do you leave Timber? (i think that's your dogs name)
 
Yes, really. Regardless of the walking time could you hold your bladder for 8 hours? Some dogs do but it doesn't make it a good thing. At the very least get someone to come in and allow a toilet break.
 
Having a dog walker won't affect your relationship with the dog - and it's immensely helpful if you have a dog who will happily go for a walk with other people. The PDSA recommend not leaving a dog for more than 4 hours, though it's true some seem to cope well with longer: Home alone – preventing separation anxiety.

Having a dog who is stressed and miserable at being left for so long, who eats the furniture and scratches at doors, and who toilets indoors either through stress or because they can't hold on any more, will do a lot more damage to your relationship with the dog and with your parents than getting a dog walker would ;)
 
Average Rates. As a dog walker in the UK, you can expect to earn an average of £6 to £10 or more per dog for walks that last 30 minutes to an hour. But that said, these rates fluctuate greatly depending on your business overheads, the number of dogs you take per walk, and the number of hours you walk per day. - Google.com
 
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