Coton de Tulear Separation Anxiety - Help!

by Jennette
(Colorado Springs, CO)

I adopted my Coton de Tulear "Lola" 4 1/2 months ago from a mill dog rescue group. She is 6 years old and so sweet and good natured. I just love her! BUUUUT...She barks constantly when I leave her alone. That is the ONLY time she ever barks.


I leave her in an entryway space about 4x5 feet gated off from the rest of the house. She paces, whines and barks the entire time I'm gone. (I'm only leaving her for an hour or so at a time.) I have tried everything...

-Giving her Kong filled with frozen peanut butter or cheese...she won't touch it till I walk back in the door.

-Giving her a favorite chew toy when I leave....same thing, won't touch it till I come home.

-I've tried making her stay in another room of the house away from me for periods of time to help her get used to being by herself.

-Tried to decondition her by putting on my coat and shoes and not leaving, just wearing them around the house, so she doesn't associate that to me leaving.

-Tried leaving the house for a minute, and coming back in, giving her a treat, continuously extending the time.

-Bought a beeping/vibrating collar to stop the barking- didn't bother her a bit.

Nothing seems to be helping her relax and not get completely stressed out. She even barks constantly when I leave her in the car for a few minutes to run into the grocery store. I have been doing all of the above things for the past 3 months with no change in behavior. I want her to be a calm, independent and comfortable little girl when by herself. Please help!

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Feb 24, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Window NEW
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

Our couch is up against the front window where Jonah can lay on the top back. He also loves to lay on the window sill which sits a little above the couch back. The front window is 72X64.

It is funny how he has his whole body on a 4" deep sill. Jonah weighs in as a 16# Coton. I am so glad all is well w/ur rescue.
Feb 24, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coton de tulear Separation Anxiety NEW
by: suzan

I rescued my second coton named Roxy she was 3yrs old was never leash trained or socialized. I spent the first week with her 24/7 getting aquainted and building a trust.I didn't have anyone come over my house until she was comfortable and used to her new surroundings. When I did take her outside to do her business and people walked by she would bark and growled if they came near her. She had a few accidents in the house but after a week she was walking on a leash she wasn't happy about it but she got used to it. I would leave her to go get the mail and she would bark & when I came back inside she'd stop. It was a step by step process leaving her alone each a little longer but she still barked and leaving in an apartment I didn't want neighbors complaining. MY sofa in the living room is by the living room window and she would jump up on top of it to look outside the window and watch me leave and when I came back maybe after 30minutes there she was in the same spot she didnt move until I came into the house. This stopped her from barking when I would leave. She been with me for a year and a half now and still jumps up to look out the window and waits till I come home but she doesn't bark anymore when I leave. Now she barks when she hears someone outside or at the door shes a great little watch dog. Maybe you should put something by the window so your dog can look outside when you leave. Maybe this may help Good Luck
Suzan
Mesquite NV
Feb 24, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coton de tulear Separation Anxiety NEW
by: suzan

I rescued my second coton named Roxy she was 3yrs old was never leash trained or socialized. I spent the first week with her 24/7 getting aquainted and building a trust.I didn't have anyone come over my house until she was comfortable and used to her new surroundings. When I did take her outside to do her business and people walked by she would bark and growled if they came near her. She had a few accidents in the house but after a week she was walking on a leash she wasn't happy about it but she got used to it. I would leave her to go get the mail and she would bark & when I came back inside she'd stop. It was a step by step process leaving her alone each a little longer but she still barked and leaving in an apartment I didn't want neighbors complaining. MY sofa in the living room is by the living room window and she would jump up on top of it to look outside the window and watch me leave and when I came back maybe after 30minutes there she was in the same spot she didnt move until I came into the house. This stopped her from barking when I would leave. She been with me for a year and a half now and still jumps up to look out the window and waits till I come home but she doesn't bark anymore when I leave. Now she barks when she hears someone outside or at the door shes a great little watch dog. Maybe you should put something by the window so your dog can look outside when you leave. Maybe this may help Good Luck
Suzan
Mesquite NV
Feb 15, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Have you tried Doggy Dan?
by: Gale

I think Doggy Dan (online dog trainer) has an excellent training method for treating separation anxiety. You can sign up to get his videos for just $1.oo. He has an entire section on separation anxiety as well as his 5 steps (golden rules) that are the basis for a happy, well-behaved dog. He has videos on just about every behavior problem you can think of - including barking.

It sounds like you're doing a lot of the right things, but the videos can help you understand the cause of the anxiety so you can work to eliminate it.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Feb 15, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Separation
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

U are doing all things right. I know it has got to be hard on u. Hopefully u live where no one will complain. In a way 4 months is not a long time. Keep up what u are doing & when it seems to be getting worse it means the behavior is going away. They are testing the last of the waters before they drop the behavior.

Make sure thou when u leave do not make a big deal just leave (no good byes u can leave kongs or treats.) Even when u do the keys & coat thing & go in & out do not greet just make it look like no big deal (in, out, no treats.) When u come home ignore ur pup till all is calm & settled then greet. I say a time of 15 min-30 min. is not a long waiting period.

Once ur pup has settled into u being home & no stress pet, play, kiss, treat or whatever ur thing is & u are now treating for stress free behavior.

I know it can be stressful on u but u have got to ignore the wrong behavior & then make it worth the act of good behavior. Again 4 months is not a long time for ur pup to learn they have a home, u will not leave them, they will eat every day, they have someone to play with, love & take care off.

Again u are on the right track & even thou it is frustrating u will do fine. U are doing a good job.

Feb 15, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		separation anxiety
by: Iris Miller

I have written about Tuffy many times, and about his separation anxiety.and fearful behavior.He worries about me, is very protective. I can only tell you it will get better, but no promise it will ever end, Here is what I do: I take him everywhere I possibly can and he is very well behaved, and has flown on a plane many ties, but for Dr. appt, and such, he has to wait at home.Tuffy does not like being caged in. I let him have the run of the house, he only sits and waits by the door at first, but then curls up on his blanky on my bed watching and waiting. I leave a pee pad out, just in case. He will wait until I take him out, but he knows he is not doing something wrong if I put the pad down for him.
I give him plenty of attention before I have to go out.just a little food and water(because he will go into hibernation when I leave, he wont eat or drink until I come back) and take him out for a little walk/ let him pee/poop/ and diffuse some pent up energy. teach him sit/wait with treats daily, then when you go out, even for a minute tell him, "wait, I'll be back". when you come in say in a happy voice, I came back, wait until he calms down from the excitement of seeing you.it will be a while , then give him lots of loving. Tuffy runs right for his water bowl and drinks a bunch.Right now, he is already curled up on his blaket and as soon as I head out for my appointment he will stand at the door wanting to go with me, but I tell him "sit, wait. Ill be back" It takes persistence,and a regular routine. The Coton is very intelligent, and sensitive to our feelings. Good luck and lots of love,
Iris and Tuffy Coton
Feb 15, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		LOLA
by: SHERRY - COTTON

WOW, THAT HAS TO BE ROUGH ON YOU AND HER. PERHAPS WITH TIME SHE WILL BEGIN TO FEEL MORE SECURE IN HER HOME AND WITH BEING LEFT. NOT KNOWING WHAT HER PAST HAS BEEN SHE PROBABLY IS AFRAID OF LOSING HER HUMAN MOMMY. SOUNDS AS THOUGH YOU HAVE TRIED ABOUT EVERYTHING. I WISH I KNEW HOW TO HELP, COTTON HATES BEING LEFT ALSO. I DO NOT KNOW IF SHE BARKS WHILE WE ARE GONE, WE HAVE NEVER HEARD HER BUT SHE GETS THAT SAD FACE WHEN WE ARE GETTING READY. DOGGIE RADAR SETS IN AND PUTS A GUILT TRIP ON US. I HOPE IT WILL GET EASIER FOR YOU BOTH. -- GOOD LUCK!

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