Being left alone - difficult departures

C
Cigogneepique9247 Icon representing the flag French

Hi everyone

My parents have a Belgian Tervuren.

He’s perfect except for one thing: he barks aggressively to stop us from leaving whenever we want to head out.

As soon as he senses we’re about to leave, he gets really wound up; he barks like mad and jumps up at us, almost nipping to prevent the departure.

We’ve tried food or enrichment toys (like a Kong), but it doesn’t work at all.

We’ve tried showing him that we can leave for a minute and come straight back.

We got him from a breeder and he’s never really been on his own because my mum works from home every day, so he never experienced being left for long periods as a puppy.

Paradoxically, he doesn’t destroy anything at all while we’re away and is always happy to see us return.

He just loses it when we’re getting ready to leave.

We don’t know what to do.

This has been going on for 6 years now. I’ve just discovered this forum, so perhaps you might have some ideas?

Thanks

Translated from French
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5 answers
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    • Docline
    Docline Icon representing the flag French
    Where’s his bed in relation to the door? I reckon there’s a way to designate a bed in an enclosed space (with a radio and a toy) that means ‘stay there’, so he picks up on the fact that this particular bed = staying on my own and settling down.
    Translated from French
    S
    Snaraellora17 Icon representing the flag French
    Hi there, I’m all for looking for the causes, but are we really meeting the needs of a dog like that by keeping it shut away in a house? I don’t know if the training side of things is enough on its own, but I certainly believe in it strongly. No matter the dog.
    Translated from French
    Y
    Yellowedbadger6612 Icon representing the flag English

    Hi Cigogneepique9247, Since he’s fine once you’ve actually gone, it sounds more like he’s reacting to the leaving routine than being alone. Tervs are herding dogs and some try to “stop” people from moving off.

    Try picking up your keys or putting your shoes on at random times without going anywhere, so those cues lose their meaning. Keep the exit low key with no goodbyes, and teach a solid “go to your bed” away from the door that you can use before you head out.

    It’ll take time after 6 years, but he’s already calm when alone, which is a good start.

    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
    Expert verified

    Hi there,

    Your best bet is to consult a behaviourist who can help you identify what triggers these fears, adapt your pet's environment, and provide solutions to resolve the issue.
    What I can suggest leading up to your appointment is to film one or more of the leaving situations like those you’ve described and, if possible, record your dog’s behaviour once they're home alone until you return. This will provide essential extra information for the vet.

    Best wishes,
    Laura

    Translated from French
    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
    It would be best to see a pet behaviourist who can give you the tools to get things back on track. After 6 years, this fear of you leaving will be quite deeply ingrained. Whereabouts are you based?
    Translated from French

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