Hello all! I am new to this program and am really excited! Sorry for the impending long story, but I don't think I can get adequate help unless you all know this background story:
My dog's name is Hank. He is a 5 and a half(ish) Redbone Coonhound. I got him from an animal shelter when he was around 1 year old, so I'm not entirely sure what else he has mixed in him, but he looks to be about 98% redbone coonhound. :)
Hank is a sweetheart and is obsessed with me. Lol. I love the bond that we have, although sometimes I feel like he is too dependent on my presence. Wherever I am, he's right next to me. I have hidden from him before, just to see what he will do, and he will pace from room to room until he finds me.
When I leave for work, and my husband is at home, he tells me that he lays down on his bed and refuses to get up to go to the bathroom or even to eat (no barking, but it almost looks like depression).
Other times, when I take him for car rides with me, and I leave him in the car to run in somewhere to get something (mind you, the car is on, with the A/C running and soothing music playing just for him, and I am inside whatever building I'm in for no less than 5 minutes), he barks and barks and barks until I come back.
Unfortunately, the barking when he is left somewhere has become debilitating for both me and Hank. We go for runs about 5 days a week, but I would love for him to be able to socialize and be more active on the days where he would otherwise be sleeping all day. I have tried taking him to daycare, but it ended up being a nightmare for him and an embarrassment for me. During a trial daycare day, he barked at the gate the entire 2-3 hours I was gone. I haven't taken him back since.
I used to work at a daycare/boarding/training facility when I first adopted him, and I think that's where his anxiety stems from. I left him at the training facility for about 4 weeks (when I had only had him for about 6 weeks) because he was in serious need of training. They made sure that he did not see me during his stay, but I'm sure he could smell me. I think that really messed with him and he is constantly in fear of the unknown of when I will come back to him.
Turns out, one of the trainers was actually very mean to the dogs he trained, and I think he got a hold of Hank while he was left there. He was deprived of food (you could see Hank's ribs when he came back), as the trainer would usually not feed the dogs enough so they would be more food motivated, and that trainer also used to hit dogs when they would whine or bark excessively, so I wouldn't be surprised if Hank was a victim of that.
As soon as I learned of this, obviously, I made sure that myself and Hank would never go back there, but I don't think Hank has ever gotten over it. I think he would be so much happier if he could let himself enjoy playtime away from home and without me there, but I don't know how to help him (or if he can even be helped). I just want him to know that I will always come back, that he doesn't need to worry himself sick when I'm not around, and that he is safe.
This is my last resort at getting some help and advice, because I feel like I have tried everything!! I just want my pup to be happier, that's all.
P.S. Attached a picture of me and my boy!
Hello all! I am new to this program and am really excited! Sorry for the impending long story, but I don't think I can get adequate help unless you all know this background story: My dog's name is Hank. He is a 5 and a half(ish) Redbone Coonhound. I got him from an animal shelter when he was around 1 year old, so I'm not entirely sure what else he has mixed in him, but he looks to be about 98% redbone coonhound. :) Hank is a sweetheart and is obsessed with me. Lol. I love the bond that we have, although sometimes I feel like he is too dependent on my presence. Wherever I am, he's right next to me. I have hidden from him before, just to see what he will do, and he will pace from room to room until he finds me. When I leave for work, and my husband is at home, he tells me that he lays down on his bed and refuses to get up to go to the bathroom or even to eat (no barking, but it almost looks like depression). Other times, when I take him for car rides with me, and I leave him in the car to run in somewhere to get something (mind you, the car is on, with the A/C running and soothing music playing just for him, and I am inside whatever building I'm in for no less than 5 minutes), he barks and barks and barks until I come back. Unfortunately, the barking when he is left somewhere has become debilitating for both me and Hank. We go for runs about 5 days a week, but I would love for him to be able to socialize and be more active on the days where he would otherwise be sleeping all day. I have tried taking him to daycare, but it ended up being a nightmare for him and an embarrassment for me. During a trial daycare day, he barked at the gate the entire 2-3 hours I was gone. I haven't taken him back since. I used to work at a daycare/boarding/training facility when I first adopted him, and I think that's where his anxiety stems from. I left him at the training facility for about 4 weeks (when I had only had him for about 6 weeks) because he was in serious need of training. They made sure that he did not see me during his stay, but I'm sure he could smell me. I think that really messed with him and he is constantly in fear of the unknown of when I will come back to him. Turns out, one of the trainers was actually very mean to the dogs he trained, and I think he got a hold of Hank while he was left there. He was deprived of food (you could see Hank's ribs when he came back), as the trainer would usually not feed the dogs enough so they would be more food motivated, and that trainer also used to hit dogs when they would whine or bark excessively, so I wouldn't be surprised if Hank was a victim of that. As soon as I learned of this, obviously, I made sure that myself and Hank would never go back there, but I don't think Hank has ever gotten over it. I think he would be so much happier if he could let himself enjoy playtime away from home and without me there, but I don't know how to help him (or if he can even be helped). I just want him to know that I will always come back, that he doesn't need to worry himself sick when I'm not around, and that he is safe. This is my last resort at getting some help and advice, because I feel like I have tried everything!! I just want my pup to be happier, that's all. P.S. Attached a picture of me and my boy!
