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oy vey
Lv 6
oy vey asked in PetsDogs · 1 decade ago

Separation Anxiety? Help. Five year old Golden Retriever messing in the house, separation anxiety?

My five year old neutered male golden/border collie mix has started messing in the house when I am gone longer during the day (8 hours). We moved over the summer and are in a new house. I have a home office (and have for the last two years) and most days I am home for a good portion of the day, but on the days that I am on the road for more than five hours it seems like those are the days that I come home and find a mess. In our old house he was not messing even when I was gone during the day. He is only going in my sons room. Could this be a form of separation anxiety? I have not found a vet in our area as of yet and I'm just baffled as to why he would start this behavior now. We don't have a crate (after he was potty trained we gave it away) and I do not want to have to start crating him at the age of five when my ten year old Golden is home and is fine and free to roam the house. I'm just very frustrated right now and any ideas would be appreciated.

Update:

I have also come home during the day to let him out and then I will come home only a couple hours later and still find a mess. I don't think it is a bladder issue.

Update 2:

Some additional clarification. We try to keep the bedroom doors closed, because if they are closed he won't mess. Both dogs are neutered males and after ten & five years of picking up after them we can definitely tell a difference in their poop. Last Friday, I was gone during the day for a short time and no mess, let the dogs out and played with them then went out to dinner. We were gone two hours and came home to a mess.

3 Answers

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  • marilyndvd
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    You could try restricting him to a smaller area of the house, not free to roam, but with boundaries. Leave an article of your clothing for him to lie on, and praise him when he has not made a mess.

  • B P
    1 decade ago

    My son has just bought a 2 year old golden retriever who turns out to be very timid. It would appear that he has never ridden in a vehicle and does not like it. He seems to be quite good in the house and so far has not had any accidents in the house, but has in the my son's truck.. He has had him for 3 days and we have not heard him bark and he does not seem to know his (existing) name very well. I guess my question is how do you work with a dog that is so timid and is it possible to train a 2 year old retriever who does not seem to know any commands. Do you use a firm voice or what do you suggest..

  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    8 hours is an awfully long time to hold it. Your golden may have a cast iron bladder but this one seemingly can't make it that long.

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