Recently, I have installed a video camera using Skype to monitor Mikey while I'm at work. It's so strange because in the first 30 minutes to an hour after I left the house, I can see him howling like a wolf. It's very scary sound to me. I am originally from the Philippines and my folks believe that if a dog howls, it means he or she sees a bad spirit or ghosts . Sounds spooky, huh? Having lived abroad, I forgot about this and I recently told my Filipino friends about this and they just reminded me of this belief (superstitious, I hope). They ended up lending me their crucifix. I have it in my house now. What do you guys think about dogs howling? Does your chi do the same?


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Hi! Mikey and I here...

Separation anxiety is what I think. Your dog is unhappy that you are gone,
bored, anxious, etc. Try taking your pup for a good, stimulating, fast pace
walk every single time before you leave him. A tired dog is a good dog, if
he's well walked hopefully he'll just settle down and sleep while mom's out.
There are other practices that help reduce separation anxiety, if you are
interested let me know. Often times though, a good walk does the trick.

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No. Odie is as quiet as can be when we leave the house, but we started working with her to avoid separation anxiety when she was a puppy. I agree with LS. Try really tiring him out before you leave the house for a long time. I was just at a Cesar Millan seminar and he covered separation anxiety and how you leaving your home really can be the most stressful situation your dog encounters in day-to-day life. His biggest tips were exercising your dog before you leave, making them give you space when you're getting ready to leave so they don't follow you around and start getting anxious (this includes not allowing them to follow you to the door) and also not making a big deal about leaving. When we leave the house now, we give Odie a small treat and we don't talk to her or even look at her as we leave the house and she knows that it's time to find a comfy spot and protect the house while we're gone.

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I do that most of the times. Mikey gets to walk everyday especially before I go to work. I also give him kong toy with treats inside before I leave. He plays with it before I walk out the door and when he sees that I'm not there, he will leave it alone and starts to howl. But there are also days when he doesn't howl. I think he is just sad that I'm leaving him alone.


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Hi! Mikey and I here...

I think it is also because I take Mikey out almost everywhere I go. He goes with me to the bank, shopping groceries and clothes, restaurant (dog friendly ones), etc. and by the way, I don't have a car so he just sits in my lap in the subway or on the bus. So, I think he is used to being with me all the time. Mmmmm.... Thanks for your feedback.


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Hi! Mikey and I here...

Butterbean howled like that when her foster mom dropped her off at my place after I adopted her. It was just about the saddest, most pitiful sound I've ever heard.

Aww, I'm with LS, sounds like he just misses you!! To help enforce that you will always come back, repeat the leaving action frequently; even if it's just to walk out your front door and come right back in. Just get him used to you leaving and returning. As dogs live "in the moment" it's important to make sure you do your best to leave when he is calm and relaxed; and the easiest way to do that is to get him pooped from exercise! A good long walk or some hardcore playtime will do the trick. Also, have a special chewy or kong filled with frozen peanut butter to keep him busy once you've left, that he ONLY gets when he has his "alone time." Dogs and wolves howl when calling out to their pack; and since you're not there, he's just calling out for you in the way that's natural for him. =) Once he's more comfortable and confident by himself, he'll be able to handle it like a champ. Good luck!

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dexter howls like a wolf! here's an old vid of him

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