peppersb

Hi UGA -- I'm not sure I would say that spoos are more prone to separation anxiety, but I do think that they become very attached to their humans, and do not do well if left alone all day. If I needed to be away from the home for 8-10 hours a day, I think I'd get a very mellow breed like a golden retriever (and I'd get two of them). Don't know if that is an issue for you or not.

lily cd re

Poodles do really like to be close to their people. Lily tends to follow me from room to room as I go about my business in the house. I also get a very happy greeting from her when I get home even from relatively short outings. However she does fine during the day when we are at work. We do have another dog, but honestly I don't think they interact much when we aren't here even though they play together lots when we are out in the yard with them.

I think that foster dogs are under unusual and stressful circumstances (even though I am sure you are doing everything you can to make their stay with you wonderful), so I wouldn't read too much into their behavior in deciding how your own dog would be when you left.

We make sure our exits from the house are low key. If the dogs are in other rooms when we walk out, we just leave. If they are near the door, we just say a quiet "be good" or I'll be home before you know it." For special treats I hide cookies around the house while they are out in the yard right before I leave for them to have fun finding in those first few minutes when they may be concerned about our having just walked out the door.

Since you seem to have had lots of dog experience (your own and fosters) I think you can do a fine job with a spoo being happy in your home.

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Catherine
Lily AKC: CGC CD HIT CDX RN RA RE RAE NAJ; APDT: RL-1; CPE: CL1-R, CL1-H
Peeves AKC: CGC BN

MaryLynn

In my experience fostering a dog generally very stressful for them at first. I fostered a Boston Terrier, and she would wet herself and shake whenever I would leave. It was awful. But as mentioned before, no drama at the door. Don't make a big deal out of leaving, or coming back, and desensitize the triggers by picking up the keys and the coat etc but not leaving. Once she realized I was always coming back, this stopped.

That was my only experience, all my puppies I have raised have been crate trained (Ian Dunbar) method, and I think that they feel very secure that they're safe/comfortable and that I will be returning. I however am never gone for longer than 6 hours, and usually just 2-4 hours at a time. They tend to get to take turns going with me places. I take them to stores, and even simple things like down to get the post.

Carley's Mom

I have adopted 2 adult standards. I can leave both with no issues. They are lose in the house and it appears to me that they just sleep until I return. P.S. I rarely leave them alone more than 4 hours.

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