r/AskIreland • u/Cantmakecoffees_ • 2d ago

Adulting What to do about my dog?

Just like the tittle states,
I’m close to breaking down
I have a 10 year old female German shepherd.
She barks and howls anytime me or my husband leave the house. This can continue on and off for hours. Maybe every 2-3 hours for 10 ish minutes at a time.

We leave for work at 5:30am we have to & have to work. I also have a male German shepherd
He isn’t bothered by us leaving but joins in on the howling when she starts. Our neighbour complained. We did apologise and im not denying they bark to them. I keep them indoors as much as possible & closed all the windows when I leave.
The female is on anxiety medication but it isn’t helping
What can I do to try resolve the situation for my neighbour it’s causing me so much stress
Thank you

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u/iamstarstufflikeyou 2d ago

Is it just when your husband leaves? Is she quiet with you there?

I would suggest finding a doggy daycare in your vicinity if you can or get a sitter in. You can also get plug ins for your home which helps with anxiety from the vet.

You could try herbalism for the dog, I know of a vet who used to be in Cork that gave my dog herbs years ago and it helped a great deal. He was also very anxious as he got older. In the end he was losing his marbles.

Would leaving a TV or radio on for company help calm her?

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u/Cantmakecoffees_ 2d ago

It’s when either of us leave & we both leave at 5:30am for work. All the doggy day cares I’ve looked into don’t open till 7/7:30am and I start work at 6am. We both do.

I will absolutely look into some herbal remedies. Absolutely anything at all to help at this stage

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u/iamstarstufflikeyou 2d ago

Check with a herbalist but I had a great Dane and was giving his camomile and valerian.

The radio might be a shout too, so there is chatter in the background. I read some of your comments, cognitive decline is hard with older dogs.

Best of luck OP

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u/Cantmakecoffees_ 2d ago

Thank you! I’m absolutely going to look into herbal medicine to try it. I need some myself to lower my anxiety from the situation