My Pet World: An adopted dog needs help adjusting to his new home
When the dog is content with your son being gone for 30 minutes, he should be fine to leave in the kennel for an hour or two. (If gone any longer, please have him hire a pet sitter to break up the dog's day with play sessions.) Once the dog associates the kennel with fun things, he will become more comfortable in it.
Please note: Except for eating or playing with a toy, the kennel should remain open as much as possible. Never use the kennel as punishment or as a cage where he spends most of his time.
As for the cat, introductions should always be done slowly (over days) with the dog on a leash. If the dog chased or scared the cat during the first introduction, this dynamic has now been set up. Before re-introducing them, have your son train the dog with the “leave it” command. This can be taught whenever the dog goes after something, like food or the cat, that your son wants him to leave alone.
To make the cat feel safe again, make sure there are places where the cat can jump or hide to get out of the dog’s reach.
I'm unsure if this is actual separation anxiety or just anxiety and pent-up energy colliding in an unfamiliar environment. However, if your son trains him every day, teaches him that his leaving doesn't mean forever, plays with him, and walks him, his dog should learn to be calmer and less anxious.
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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
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