[evieffizz]

Yesterday we bought a 6 month old greyhound/whippet cross. Hes a lovely dog but as soon as someone leaves the room he will follow. Last night we put him in the bathroom too sleep and he cried and whimpered and then opened the doors. We went down to settle him and he had pooped and peed on the floor. So i cleared it up and stayed with him until he fell asleep and everytime id leave hed start jumping on the door handle. It got to 2:30am and in the end I slept with him in the living room. What do I do? The household has work and education but we are worried about him destroying the house how do we train him?

[cigwyllt]

Do you have a crate for him? What is his background? Is he from a family home where he is used to company all day? Why has he been rehomed at 6 months?

Sorry for all the questions but the answers will help build up a better picture of what is going on and give folk a better idea of how to help.

As I see it there are two problems - overnight and leaving him through the day. It is quite reasonable to allow him to sleep in your room - not on the bed necessarily but certainly in the bedroom, maybe in a crate.

But no matter what you do at night it is rarely possible to stay with your dog all day every day - you can't leave him alone in a hot car while you shop for instance. How long will he be left for during the day? How often will you leave him?

If, for instance, you are planning to be out for 3 hours tomorrow morning I would suggest the following:

Get a crate straight away and start teaching him that it is a really good place to be. Hide treats in there in his bedding, feed him in there through the day. Put his toys in it - give him a really intensive crash course in crate training. While he is eating, shut the door so he is familiar with it closing but open it again before he gets distressed - just play with it all day.

Also I believe you can get DAP essence and diffusers from most big pet stores - don't know whereabouts in the world you are but if I can get it in my little corner of the UK then surely it is available in most places! DAP (or Dog Appeasing Pheromone) is a scent that dogs find very calming. You can get plug in diffusers or you can spray it on a blanket or on a bandanna around the dog's neck (Very useful for dogs that are stressed when travelling.)

He may also enjoy a kong - they are available in most pet shops and can be stuffed with treats or even smeared with peanut butter and many dogs find them entertaining as they have to struggle to get the treat out.

If you have to leave him tomorrow and you are going to crate him then make sure he is well exercised beforehand. Hopefully he will then be more relaxed and willing to settle.

Don't make a big fuss when you leave him and don't make a big fuss when you get back. He needs to learn that being left is normal and that you go and come back - no big deal. It can be so hard with a dog with separation anxiety but it can be managed and can be overcome.

[evieffizz]

Do you have a crate for him? What is his background? Is he from a family home where he is used to company all day? Why has he been rehomed at 6 months?

We dont have a crate yet. Hes from a small home with other dogs and children. He was rehomed because there wasnt enough room for him.

Hes not aloud upstairs :/

Thanks for the advice

[cigwyllt]

Ah bless him - if he is from a busy household with lots of people and dogs it's not surprising that he's stressed when he is totally alone. Separation anxiety can be managed but it takes a lot of patience on the part of the owners and can take months or more. All the best with helping him to settle in.

every book talks about crate training.

We didnt do it, but we provided a safe place in the house with lots of bedding that our puppy could sleep on.

Separation anxiety is normal for dogs, and I think greyhounds and whippets might be particularly susceptible to this. There is no quick answer except for trialling going away from home and hearing from a distance how well they are coping. Eventually if you give them good food, a lot of exercise, then discipline and love they will learn. Its just a learning curve for both of you, good luck!