How to deal with dog attachment issues?

April 15, 2012 2:14 PM

My dog is about 7 years old, she is a Australian mini. Whenever I go away after work for more then a few hours she cries, mopes and whines. She has this annoying habit of whistling through her nose. I live with my family and commute to work with my Dad & to school, so most days we're leaving at 8am and back 6pm--she does fine then but then if I'm gone & my Dad is home is when she is really fussy. I typically spend the weekend with my Fiancé, which really bugs her (I can't take her with us as my Fiancé lives in a Resident Hall). If I go out of town, or away for the night she is still really needy and fussy. How can I get her to be less annoying for my family, to be less fussy about me being gone? I take her for walks and love on her when I am home but that's not enough. Any suggestions or ideas would be most helpful.
posted by snow_mac to Pets & Animals (6 answers total)

Previously.
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 2:23 PM on April 15, 2012

Aussies are really energetic dogs; are you sure she's getting as much exercise as she needs? Does she have an activity to keep her engaged when you're not around? My dogs enjoy the cube puzzles that dispense treats. She might be fussy because she's bored, and anxious about you leaving because you're the only one who plays with her.
posted by lilac girl at 2:25 PM on April 15, 2012

I'm sorry but she needs more attention. I had Aussie's before my current dog and my female did the same thing. She sounds lonely to me. And it also sounds like you don't have the time for her. How about doggie daycare? She could play, or at least be around other beings. I know doggie daycare is not for every dog but it might wear her out so she comes home and passes out.
posted by cairnoflore at 2:51 PM on April 15, 2012

I have a few questions that would help me to bettwer answer your question. You should also check out the AskMe question that These Birds of a Feather is linking to.

1) Between the hours of 8am - 6pm what does she do? Is she inside the entire time? Crated? Is she home all alone? Do you leave her with toys? What toys do you leave her with?
2) When you are visting your boyfriend who waters, feeds, walks, and plays with her?
3) What is her level of training? Nothing? Basic obedience? Something more?
4) What are the specific actions that you describe to be "needy", "fussy", and "annoying"?
5) What is the level of interaction between your dog and your family?
posted by OsoMeaty at 2:52 PM on April 15, 2012 [3 favorites]

If she is a working dog, I would estimate one hour of full exercise in the morning, to where she is WORN OUT, for starters. That's minimum. I would figure how to give her two full hours of exercise a day, plus problem solving toys that get rotated every day to every few days. Working dogs are a huge responsibility, as they were not bred for laying around getting love, but need to work and be stimulated. You definitely have to treat them differently than many other breeds.

I had a Catahoula once, and winded up putting a tennis ball at the end of a fishing pole, turning in circles so it would make a giant circle and my dog loved chasing it. It was the only way I could last as long as he could. (go both ways to work their body in balance)
posted by Vaike at 4:17 PM on April 15, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sorry, I don't know where I got "boyfried" from. I meant your fiance.
posted by OsoMeaty at 4:22 PM on April 15, 2012