[heather831]

I have a newly rescued 1 1/2 year old irish wolfhound. I've had him for about 3 weeks now and he has already caused me to want to pull my hair out. He has EXTREME separation anxiety issues. I can't leave the house for even a second (not even to step out and grab the mail) without him jumping at the door, through windows (he opens them) etc. He'll bark and whine and has scratched the back door irreparably, he pees and poops inside because he will not leave my side to go out. Even when I do finally get him to go outside, he has to be touching me or he won't use the bathroom! I take him for daily LONG (2-3 mile) walks and tried the whole getting ready, picking up and moving my keys, opening and closing doors etc. to no avail. I can't crate him because he doesn't fit into anything-and I can't leave him outside because it's freezing and my fence is only 4.5 feet high! He just steps over it. Currently he's "exiled" to the kitchet because it has linoleum and is a lot easier to clean up than the carpet.
I rent and cannot afford to have a dog of this magnitude causing such extensive damage and I hate the stress of going home to the disaster I know is waiting for me. I love him to death, and he is a really great dog as long as he can be as close to me as possible at all times.
I also have a 6 month old mastiff puppy who is perfectly content to lay around and has never once cared whether I come or go. They get along great so I thought it might be great company for him and he'd be better off, but not so much. I just want help my wolfhound fit into my life... but I just don't know what to do. ANY advice would be great!!

[its2am]

First; you need much longer than three weeks for the dog to settle in, give it time. Part of adopting a dog is knowing that you will never know what the dog went through before you came into their life; assume the worst and be patient. This has worked for ME and MY DOGS: Completely ignore your dog for 20 minutes after you come home and 20 minutes before you leave. Do not pet, talk to, feed, water, give a snack, nothing in these 20 minutes. If the dog is persistent for attention cross your arms and turn your back to the dog.When it is time for the dog to receive attention it must be as a reward. For a new dog, do not invite your friends and neighbors to "meet" the dog; forced integration is very uncomfortable for your dog. Let your family and friends come visit as normal and instruct them to ignore your new roommate. If a new dog in a new place thinks the door can open at any moment and people are going to force themselves on him he will never settle in. Let him sniff them and greet them when he's ready. When he starts doing this have your visitors give him a treat. It's his house too and he needs to feel comfortable. KNOW YOUR BREED. Study the nature of the Wolf Hound and you may be able to separate real life issues from natural responses. And for anybody reading this it is very important NOT to take your newly adopted dog straight home. It is imperative that you take the dog for a very long walk or hang out at a dog park for a couple hours. Then take your dog home, it makes all the difference.

[bla333]

Hmmm I would say that when you leave you sneak out, but nor before surrounding him with stuff that smells like you. Start with this then look further into it. He sounds like a young pup so let him adjust in his own time.

[heather831]

Just to update because it's been a while--He's doing MUCH better. It took A LOT of time and patience but he's kind of gotten the routine. Now we're just trying to deal with the fact that he still pees on the floor. Almost 3yrs old and still peeing in the house. BUT, he has stopped tearing down my doors and eating the furniture so, baby steps right?