Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all! I haven't been on in a while - but need some advice! Rosco recently celebrated his one year ampuversary - hooray! Life on 3 legs is going great. We just moved to a new apartment in Brooklyn which is closer to the park and will be great for Rosco - but we're having some trouble with separation anxiety.
We moved on Friday and it's Sunday- Rosco came to the new apt with us after we got most of the boxes unpacked (was at doggie daycare for a while while we were actually moving). Now if we try to leave him alone, he whines and howls. He's been alone for 5-10 minutes at a time, and then we've come back - worried new neighbors are going to complain.
The other thing is in our new apartment we now have an upstairs and downstairs with a spiral staircase - we have to carry Rosco up & down the stairs. We are trying to keep him downstairs while we are gone because the couch his here and living room is where he was used to being in our old apartment. I'm not sure if he's more anxious because he doesn't have access to the whole apartment ever on his own?
Our regular routine is to work outside the home, and we have a dog walker that comes in the afternoon. Any tips on how to work up to leaving him during the day again? I don't want him to get used to being with us all the time -but I don't want to traumatize him by leaving him alone!
Rosco is 11 years old and this is at least his 5th home during the course of his life- we adopted him when he was 7, so I know that he CAN adjust to a new home. That said - the last time he stayed with a dog sitter she said she couldn't leave him alone without him crying. This seems to be new since his surgery last year, and it could be that being a tripawd has made him a bit more attached to us.
Any advice/thoughts/tips? Thank you!
YAY Rosco! Hoppy Ampuversary my friend! WOOHOO!!!! Can't believe it's been a whole year. We want to see some pawty celebration pics and some of your fun videos when you get a chance OK?
So about leaving him alone. You're definitely wise to block off the stairs. I doubt that's why he's complaining. It sounds to me like it's just a matter of getting used to the new space. Have you done the usual separation anxiety training, like repeatedly leaving and returning, gradually increasing your times away? I imagine that today is the big test while you're at work. Please let us know how it goes.
Doggy day care is also something to consider. Are there any good ones in your neighborhood? It might be a better answer than a dog walker.
Also, separation anxiety music can help too.
A while back, one member, Chloe and her mom Nicole, dealt with some separation anxiety issues after their move. This thread might help with some ideas.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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I've moved many times with Jack and face separation anxiety each time. The thread Jerry linked to has good advice - especially the bit about making coming and going uneventful.
I also agree that blocking off the stairs can help. In my experience, many dogs prefer being confined to a small area they're comfortable in. Each place I've lived in, I create a spot for Jack where she goes when I'm not in the house, usually my bedroom, and that's helped her tremendously.
I would also suggest leaving notes for your neighbors explaining that you've just moved in and that Rosco might take a few days to settle in and to let you know if he is whining when you're gone. I like to leave a Starbucks gift card with the note...as shameless bribery. People complain to management when they feel like they can't do anything about a situation - if they know what's going on, that it's likely to stop within a few days and that they can directly contact you, they're less likely to get upset about whining.
Good luck!
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