Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: bustedoldman on February 17, 2021, 11:27:49 AM

Title: Dog Howling
Post by: bustedoldman on February 17, 2021, 11:27:49 AM: We have a Silver Lab, anxiety and boredom during the day while we are at work causes her to howl continually (plus any sirens!).....We have tried everything, lots of toys, noise and shock collars, CBD treats....We need to get it stopped as neighbors are complaining. Really would hate to get rid of her but we are almost to that point. Any suggestions???
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: Special T on February 17, 2021, 11:31:08 AM: Excercise him more would likely be a great help....

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Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 17, 2021, 11:43:25 AM: How old is she?
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: vandeman17 on February 17, 2021, 11:45:25 AM: get up earlier and try to get her some exercises and also exercise at night when you get home. Boredom/confinement for some dogs, especially younger is tough
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: Smokepole on February 17, 2021, 11:48:45 AM: Try playing the radio for her. Country stations work best. But that is too long for a lab to go alone, especially 5 days a week. Another lab for a companion would probably work. Even a cat can help. They are social creatures, and loneliness is like prison for them.
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: highside74 on February 17, 2021, 11:49:33 AM: Maybe a pain in the arse but man is she pretty.
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: trophyhunt on February 17, 2021, 12:13:55 PM: Quote from: vandeman17 on February 17, 2021, 11:45:25 AM
get up earlier and try to get her some exercises and also exercise at night when you get home. Boredom/confinement for some dogs, especially younger is tough
:yeah:
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: trophyhunt on February 17, 2021, 12:14:51 PM: Quote from: Smokepole on February 17, 2021, 11:48:45 AM
Try playing the radio for her. Country stations work best. But that is too long for a lab to go alone, especially 5 days a week. Another lab for a companion would probably work. Even a cat can help. They are social creatures, and loneliness is like prison for them.
:yeah: I think as well she would love a companion. What a beautiful dog!!
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: bustedoldman on February 17, 2021, 12:54:52 PM: 2 1/2 yrs old. I'm up every morning at 5 am playing fetch /chase/tug of war with her, she runs the fence with the neighbor dogs all day, I get home around 4pm and do the same thing, wife does the same around 5pm when she gets home, weekends are full of activity. Another animal is out of the question.....Anybody use dog walking/sitting services
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: bustedoldman on February 17, 2021, 12:56:20 PM: And yes she is beautiful....
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: vandeman17 on February 17, 2021, 12:58:46 PM: Quote from: bustedoldman on February 17, 2021, 12:54:52 PM
2 1/2 yrs old. I'm up every morning at 5 am playing fetch /chase/tug of war with her, she runs the fence with the neighbor dogs all day, I get home around 4pm and do the same thing, wife does the same around 5pm when she gets home, weekends are full of activity. Another animal is out of the question.....Anybody use dog walking/sitting services

I know people that do use those services with zero complaints. It sounds like she gets enough exercise and is just lonely. Is she kept outside during the day? If she is, maybe somewhere inside would be better so that she doesn't see/hear the activity around her making her want to get out and join. Radio is a good idea as well
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: baker5150 on February 17, 2021, 01:05:00 PM: We use a dog daycare service our boarding kennel offers.

It's Night and Day. It's the only thing we've tried that has actually helped with the separation anxiety.

He goes twice a week, and he now knows which days he goes, and is up and waiting to leave.
He loves it, and we don't have a psychotic dog anymore.
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: Special T on February 17, 2021, 01:13:05 PM: Dogs do love routine. My old Chessie is getting long in the tooth. He gets left at home instead of going to work with me some times and it makes him extra cranky... he has been pretty spoiled going tonwork with me at least 4 days a week for the past 11 years.

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Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: teanawayslayer on February 17, 2021, 01:28:50 PM: Anthony, I don’t have much advice other than get her a bud. Well a muzzle would do the trick. Never liked that route though. She is a Beautiful lab. Where did you get her?
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: callturner on February 17, 2021, 01:59:35 PM: A good bark collar.
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: metlhead on February 17, 2021, 02:28:21 PM: We have used a muzzle, and they do work. Most dogs will figure out how to destroy them quickly though. My wife's dog is a howler. I built a daytime run in the garage for work hours. Howl away pup, nobody will complain.
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: WildW00d on February 17, 2021, 04:52:44 PM: Lots of good advice here! Exercise is key, but also radio, having a buddy so she isn't alone, and then trying a boarding service a few times a week may help or a dog walking service/neighborhood kid you trust. She's a pretty girl!
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: Smokepole on February 17, 2021, 08:02:37 PM: She sure is a pretty girl. We had two labs, and you could leave them together for days and they wouldn't complain. I often thought having two dogs was easier than having just one, because they babysit each other.

It would be a shame if you had to part with her. She's a gorgeous dog, and apparently has a big soft heart!
Title: Re: Dog Howling
Post by: M_ray on February 17, 2021, 10:39:46 PM: She’s beautiful

Sounds like separation anxiety ... I have one now that has it. We have invested plenty of $ in trainings and helping behavior.

- Your already doing the right stuff playing and giving her plenty of exercise before you leave. And when you are home.
-Don’t make a big deal about leaving.
-When you leave, leave her with toys And plenty of them that you can stuff treats and peanut butter in. The type that will take time to extract so she has something to keep her occupied and have to work at it. I think they are called puzzle toys
- Dont say hi to her until she settles upon your return ... seems harsh but give her a bit to settle and don’t make the big deal about seeing them When you return.
- leave some of your clothes you have worn with your scent on them ... they snuggle with them in your absence
- if they see you putting on shoes or grabbing keys you may have to practice doing it and then don’t leave. Grab your keys and then sit down and watch TV. Put on your shoes or whatever your routine is when you leave and then sit at the table and drink your coffee. If they are food motivated reward with treats when they are sitting around calm and assured you are not leaving.

It’s a tough one for sure but as someone has said they are creatures of routine and they thrive on it. They see you getting ready to leave and they want to go with you, you may have to keep her from seeing your exit routine.

If all else fails there are supplements that are supposed to help. We never had to do them ours responded to these tricks plus when we were Both gone we used a kennel. Our trainer believes in kennel training some don’t. I wouldn’t kennel for more than 8 hours personally but I don’t know what the limit is.

Hope something here may help you she’s a pretty dog and sure would be a heartbreaker to have to part with.