New Dog - Advice

[MaxMX5]

Hello

Since Saturday we are now the owners of a lovely 10 month old Jack Russell. We have bought him from his previous owners as her health has declined as she feels that she is no longer able to give him the attention he needs.

He seems to have settled in ok, but does tend to whine a lot and hates to be apart from us, (just going to the toilet has him scratching at the door). What can I do to try and relieve him of his confusion/anxiety or will it just go in time?

When we put him to bed we leave him one of our jumpers so he smells us and we put another piece of clothing at the bottom of the door so if he goes to it he can smell us.

Even when we are sat with him he tends to whine still, it makes me sad to hear him as I just want him to know that he doesn’t have to worry and we will always come home to him and be his owners.
Any advice would be much appreciated, I just want to help him settle in and feel happy as quickly as I can.
Many Thanks

I will post pictures of him later :-)

[bexVN]

It may be worth purchasing a DAP diffuser to plug in near where he sleeps. (I think they are now called ADAPTIL) they are for helping a dog settle down. Worth googling to read up about. they do work but not for every dog.

[AdiT]

Keep in mind every time you give ANY attention to him when he whines... he learns that whining gets him attention.

It's hard to do, but you have to ignore him until he's quiet.

[Jasandjules]

AdiT said:

Keep in mind every time you give ANY attention to him when he whines... he learns that whining gets him attention.

It's hard to do, but you have to ignore him until he's quiet.

This.

Then leave him alone for a short period of time, gently increasing the amount of time he is left alone.

[Piglet]

Get him used to you going out and coming back, that way he'll learn that you will come back.

Few minutes at a time to start with, then building up to longer. Also no big hello's and goodbyes, it's not something to make a fuss about, it's just you coming and going.

Good luck, he sounds like a lucky lad

[MaxMX5]

Thanks for the pointers, I have been ignoring the whines, but I have been making a fuss of him when I come home so I will wind that in a bit. He seems happier today, I reckon time will help him too. He seems more happy to go wandering away from me in the garden too and doesnt feel like he has to be stuck to me like glue.

Heres some photos of Harvey

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...