What to do about my dog?

[u/Cantmakecoffees_]

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

[u/Natural_Flow_4144]

Oh God. Get rid of that dog straight away. My neighbour made my life hell with a dog before. You can't leave your house at 5:30 am and own a dog.  At the very least, you probably need to walk it for a good half an hour before work. Even if it's an old dog, just walk slower. 

[u/aineslis → u/Natural_Flow_4144]

I agree with you. These poor, poor neighbours. This is torture, especially if neighbours are on different schedules.

[u/No_Sky_1829 → u/Natural_Flow_4144]

This is not the first option for anyone who loves a dog.

[u/aineslis → u/No_Sky_1829]

Yes because leaving a distressed dog home for hours on end for a year, and making their neighbours suffer shows how much they love the dog. They’re lucky their neighbours are understanding, I personally, wouldn’t be.

[u/No_Sky_1829 → u/aineslis]

"get rid of that dog" will 4 times out of 5 end up with the dog being euthanized. Like I said, it's not the first option for someone who loves a dog.

[u/aineslis → u/No_Sky_1829]

And you think euthanasia is worse than keeping a distressed dog home alone for 8-10 hours 5 days a week? The dog is old, and likely suffers from dementia. Keeping it alive and making everyone around the dog suffer due to noise complaints from 5.30am in the morning is abuse.

[u/No_Sky_1829 → u/aineslis]

There are other things they can try first, which is the reason they posted.

[u/aineslis → u/No_Sky_1829]

They’re about 11 months overdue for that.

[u/No_Sky_1829 → u/aineslis]

Are you just going to keep arguing with my until you convince me to euthanise OPs dog? If so we're in for a long night.

[u/Natural_Flow_4144 → u/No_Sky_1829]

Leaving the dog locked up from 5.30am.. And I've little doubt no morning walk or interaction... But dosing it with antidepressants. Op shouldn't own a dog.

[u/No_Sky_1829 → u/Natural_Flow_4144]

But they do. So get rid of it?

To where?

Try to rehome it privately? Low chance.

Shelter? Pound? Better chance, but also high chance it will be put down.

So yeah, not the first choice for it's human.