Pets

BoPeepAddick said:

After the lose of my last dog ‘Solly’ who I had for 12 years, I never thought I would or wanted another dog, losing him was unbearable. But my wife and sons have worked on me, and 8 weeks ago Pepper joined our family, she is 4, a Frenchie, a rescue and we have no idea of her previous history, other than our Vet thinks she has had 2 litters before she was 2 - she of lovely other than when we leave her alone at home, massive damage to carpet, doors, bed linen etc. We have and are continually doing things to calm her down but so far without any success, when we are home she is fine, and is only left a home for 3 hours a couple of times a week. Any suggestions!!!

Mitigating separation anxiety can be a long old process but as with most things dog-training, repetition, repetition and repetition are essential.
Is she only upset when she's left totally alone or does she show signs when one of the household goes out?
Does she follow any/one of you around indoors?
To get Pepper used to the fact that you always come back after 'leaving her', try the "flitting game".
As often as is possible leave the room Pepper is in, ideally shut the door behind you so she is separated, even just for a short while.  When you return to the space Pepper is in, don't greet her or make a fuss.
Come and go from her space as much as you can.  The aim is to normalise that the separation is temporary and you always come back and it's just no big deal.
With our pooch, I spent time sitting on my doorstep or in my car working on my laptop to familiarise doggo with being alone and getting used to my return.
Don't expect swift results.  It is vanishingly unlikely that the SA will just switch off.
Gradually build up the time you're apart
A comfy safe space, like a crate can be helpful if it's smthn she's used to.
Good luck

KBslittlesis said:

We had to say goodbye to one of our barn cats Ripley. She started snoring in May & after various meds & thoughts of what it might be it turned out to be a mass growing in her head behind her eye. She spent all spring/summer with me in my She Shed being hand fed & her every whim catered for. But ultimately we had to let her go. It never ever gets any easier 😞 

No more pain for a beautiful little cat.

Sorry to hear that @KBslittlesis it's never easy losing a pet.

So sorry to read this @KBslittlesis

KBslittlesis said:

Weirdly Elf's I don't think she was in pain. But the mass started to push against her eye in the last couple of days so that was the decision made. I will miss my little cricket mate, not sure the other cats will have the patience for TMS xx

I hope that is the case

Oh Willow……my heart 🥰♥️

Billy_Mix said:

BoPeepAddick said:

After the lose of my last dog ‘Solly’ who I had for 12 years, I never thought I would or wanted another dog, losing him was unbearable. But my wife and sons have worked on me, and 8 weeks ago Pepper joined our family, she is 4, a Frenchie, a rescue and we have no idea of her previous history, other than our Vet thinks she has had 2 litters before she was 2 - she of lovely other than when we leave her alone at home, massive damage to carpet, doors, bed linen etc. We have and are continually doing things to calm her down but so far without any success, when we are home she is fine, and is only left a home for 3 hours a couple of times a week. Any suggestions!!!

Mitigating separation anxiety can be a long old process but as with most things dog-training, repetition, repetition and repetition are essential.
Is she only upset when she's left totally alone or does she show signs when one of the household goes out?
Does she follow any/one of you around indoors?
To get Pepper used to the fact that you always come back after 'leaving her', try the "flitting game".
As often as is possible leave the room Pepper is in, ideally shut the door behind you so she is separated, even just for a short while.  When you return to the space Pepper is in, don't greet her or make a fuss.
Come and go from her space as much as you can.  The aim is to normalise that the separation is temporary and you always come back and it's just no big deal.
With our pooch, I spent time sitting on my doorstep or in my car working on my laptop to familiarise doggo with being alone and getting used to my return.
Don't expect swift results.  It is vanishingly unlikely that the SA will just switch off.
Gradually build up the time you're apart
A comfy safe space, like a crate can be helpful if it's smthn she's used to.
Good luck

Quick update on Pepper, for the part 5 weeks, she has been fine, a mixture of Dog Calming Music, hidden treats around the house, and the fact that I think she know's we are coming back has sorted the problem out!! 

jose said:

Local cat somehow dozing on my fencepost.

A beautiful moggy.

Gribbo said:

Gribbo said:

Working Cocker incoming. Willow joins the pack -

Picked Willow up on Saturday. Settled in lovely and doing short retrieves already. -

Willow coming on a treat. She had her 2nd jab on Monday, so getting out for some proper training middle of next week. -

The Brazilians love dogs, Lola goes everywhere with us although I have to think about what supermarket allows dogs.

Completely forgot to post this at Halloween, but Chip says Happy Howloween!

ElfsborgAddick said:

The Brazilians love dogs, Lola goes everywhere with us although I have to think about what supermarket allows dogs.

It is like that in Italy. Not all supermarkets allow them but some do and some even have dedicated dog trolleys. We have even been able to take JJ in Pompeii, although he had to be carried in the villas and museums inside so there is a size limit. We took him in the hard rock Cafe in Florence and he was allowed to sit on the bench in the restaurant, What they stipulate though is well behaved dogs are allowed which seems sensible. If your dog is well behaved they can go most places.