work shifts changed, what to do with dog?

hi all, im looking for some advice, i got Alfie last august from a rescue here in dublin, circumstances have changed a great deal since then.

firstly, Alfie spent a number of years in the rescue, he was taken then brought back 5 months later, that was over a year before i took him, so he did have a few issues. at this stage he has settled quite well but still has few little things. he has a bit of ocd behaviour as regards licking walls (sounds like he is mental i know!!) also, and the worst thing is he really doesnt like other dogs.

he loves people, loves his walks, loves swimming but just about puts up with other dogs for very short time. occassionally he just turns on them totally. he growls, bares his teeth and barks. so much so that a dog walker refused to take him after 2 walks because she was worried for the other dogs.
i have never actually seen him go for another dog, he just wants them to get away from him as far as i can see.
i have had to leave him at my friends house in the country on a few occassions when i had to go away. she has 2 dogs and while i wouldnt say they are best friends, he gets on fine with them now.

there was someone at home all the time when i got him first, then the person living with me got a job, so occassionally he was left alone for few hours. on these days i get up at 6.30/7 am and bring him for a walk, we go out again when i get home, this could be anytime between 1pm and 6pm.

he stays inside when alone because he hates being left outside alone. he seems happy enough inside.

my shifts have now changed, i have to work longer hours. its not everyday, i have taken days off so far when things dont suit but cant do this forever, approx once or twice every 2 weeks i am working from 7am till 5pm. i cant leave him this long, i cant get out before work .
i tried him at daycare but he doesnt like dogs, he was refused at the time because they felt he hadnt settled with me enough.

what can i do? someone at work suggested getting another dog to keep him company but i dunno if he would care to have another dog in the house. any suggestions welcome, i have no one around to pop in during day, everyone is working.

im in south dublin by the way, alfie is a small springer, very lively and very lovely

tk123

Have you eg seen a behaviourist to try and help with his issues? IMO try and help the dog you have before adding another one to the mix?

ISDW

Poor dog, sounds like he really went through the mill before he found you.

If you can afford it, I would suggest a dog walker. if you ask at Positive Dog Training, they should be able to recommend someone, or hopefully someone on here could, then he could have the security of his own home, but going out for a walk or two to break up the day when you have to work long hours.

tk123- i dont think another dog is a good idea, purely because he has such a hard time getting on with other dogs, i dont think he would like another coming in on his space, as such, i was just wondering if anyone else had done this and if it did help?

isdw- the last dog walker that took him only brought him out twice, she was worried for the other dogs because Alfie just growled and bared his teeth at them, its only because he loves his walks sooo much and doesnt really love other dogs!!

i cant think about rehoming, i really dont want to, id be heartbroken and id be afraid it would set him ack so much, he really has only settled in the last few months.

christmas2012

get the dog walker to muzzle him when out and about socialising with other dogs thats all i could think of ,its hard to think of doing that with your own dog but think safety first last thing you want is your dog being put down in a pound

Whispered

bubblypop wrote: »

i cant think about rehoming, i really dont want to, id be heartbroken and id be afraid it would set him ack so much, he really has only settled in the last few months.

Lucky dog! I don't think you'll have to rehome him, if he gets stressed around other dogs then a dog walker who goes in groups probably doesn't suit him anyway. If it's only a day here or there then maybe a friend or family member could pop in to spend an hour with him, let him out for the toilet etc.

You could also call positive dog training and ask them what they would suggest. Maybe with a bit of work he could go to day care.

ISDW

bubblypop wrote: »

tk123- i dont think another dog is a good idea, purely because he has such a hard time getting on with other dogs, i dont think he would like another coming in on his space, as such, i was just wondering if anyone else had done this and if it did help?

isdw- the last dog walker that took him only brought him out twice, she was worried for the other dogs because Alfie just growled and bared his teeth at them, its only because he loves his walks sooo much and doesnt really love other dogs!!

i cant think about rehoming, i really dont want to, id be heartbroken and id be afraid it would set him ack so much, he really has only settled in the last few months.

Find a dog walker that will walk just him, I'm sure there must be someone out there who offers that service, he's not the only dog in the world that doesn't like other dogs. We have one here, and I feel so sorry for him, he just gets himself really stressed around other dogs. So now he lives in the cat end of the house, sleeps in my son's room, and comes into 'my' end of the house when the rest of the pack are in the kennels for feeding twice a day. Its not an ideal life, but he really does just get himself so worked up around other dogs.

Alternatively, could you fit a doggy flap into your back door so that at least when you are out for the long hours, he can get out to go to the toilet?

dan hibiki

some people do house visits for dogs. just so hes not alone in the house all day. does he get on with cats? that could be an option.

Tranceypoo

Agree with ISDW, you just need to find the right dog walker, someone who will walk just him, not a group, see if you can get any recommendations on here, in your local vets etc.

tk123

Sorry OP I posted my reply in a hurry! I would contact positive dog training or dspca since you're on the southside they both do classes and see of they can help at all with training - if you want to go down this route. You and your dog are missing out on the hijinks that playing dogs get up to so it'd be great for you both if you could help him at al l:)

Also loads of walkers do private walks!! You just need to find the right walker for him - PDT or possibly DTI (loads of dog walkers do their trainer and first aid courses) would be able to suggest somebody.