Howling

[curiouskat]

Hi all, I'm new here and found the site while trying to look up solutions for an issue I am experiencing with my beloved 9 year old blind poodle. Her blindness is caused from PRA and she's presumably had it for years, certainly long before I adopted her a year and a half ago. She copes incredibly well with her lack of vision and apart from fear aggression toward other dogs (which we are managing largely through avoidance), we have no blindness-specific issues.

The situation we do have is that I work during the day on weekdays and my little girl is at home by herself. She is a natural lounge lizard so this hasn't been a problem until recently where I have found out she is howling periodically when I'm away - for a period of seconds up to a period of minutes and seemingly not every day. Once or twice it was because I was late home or one of the lights I have set on a timer for her had blown, but more often than not there is no obvious reason. I can only put it down to either newly-developed separation anxiety or that sound stimuli is attracting her attention and setting her off (i.e. she hears things/people close by but can't find them). The latter might be made worse by the fact our house is next door to our old house (moved 6 months ago) and she recognises the sound of the gate next door and may hear people walking around inside.

I have run out of ideas - I have the radio on all day, there are 'treasure hunt' treats and chews scattered all around the house, she receives chicken necks when I leave, has a number of interactive toys (treat ball, treat-filled paper bag 'bon-bon', kong, chicken stock-soaked fabric rope, chew toys and bones) and plush toys. She has several beds to choose from including a crate and dry food available also. She isn't really a playing dog at least not by herself and won't tend to chew on anything other than fresh bones, so the toys and chew material generally go untouched apart from the treat ball. I have a pet loo stored at my mum's which I plan to pick up this weekend in case comfort is an issue (I don't think that's it though).

It's really hard to know where to go from here since the cause of the howling is difficult to determine and I'm doing everything I can think of. A second dog isn't an option, primarily because my girl doesn't get along with other dogs and also I'm not sure my landlord would approve a second dog. I would be so grateful if anyone can make any suggestions as I'm distressed to think of her upset when I'm not there and don't want the problem to escalaate to the point where it annoys the neighbours.

Many thanks...

[Blinddogs.net]

Hi there.. and welcome to the forum

Sorry to hear that you are facing a new challenge with the howling. I would have first suggested trying a radio (or TV) playing while you are gone.. but you are already doing that... plus lots of other great things to keep your girl busy. If you haven't already done this, you might try using a natural calming remedy like Bach's Rescue Remedy or D.A.P.™ (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) Links to more information on both of these products are on my "tips" page at: http://blinddogs.net/tips_help.html There is a also new calming product out called Eaze made by Petzlife, more info here: http://www.petzlife.com/catalog/eaze.html

I hope that a natural calming remedy be the answer. The only other suggestions I can think of is (if you can't come home for lunch etc.) would be to try having a dog walker stop in during the day to either walk (or just visit with your pup instead of the walk) to see if having some human contact part way through her day being alone might help. As a last resort you could even try one of the electronic bark collars (that uses to microphone to detect barking) and puts out a squirt of citronella under the nose.. but just guessing this might possibly work for howling. Please keep us posted on how things are going!

[curiouskat]

Thanks Karen for the advice... and the welcome

I do have some Rescue Remedy that I used to use when I took Ebony to the groomers (before I discovered a great mobile groomer, much better!) to ease her stress about being around other dogs. It didn't seem to help but as this situation is either anxiety, loneliness, sookiness or a combination of all three, rather than acutely stressful, it might be beneficial. I'll certainly give it a try.

The pet walker isn't a bad idea, providing I can find someone I can trust with my girl's special needs. I would love to come home at lunch but it's not really possible unfortunately. I am skipping lunch however so I can come home sooner to be with her! I will also keep the citronella collar in mind, I hadn't thought of that before and it could be good even in the short term as a training aid.

Many thanks and any extra advice welcome too!