I just got a sweet, calm dog 6 days ago from the shelter. He's 8 years old and he looks like a Gordon Setter-Spaniel mix, or maybe an Australian Working Dog-Spaniel mix. His papers indicate he was loved, but his former owner was working two jobs and had to give him up. He isn't a loud dog, which is one of the reasons I chose him. He's never barked at a person as long as I've known him and has been totally friendly or complacent with most dogs. I thought I could wait at least a week to start training him, but I was wrong. This week:

Monday: I came home for lunch, he was whimpering badly. I immediately took him out, as he really had to pee. I took him out immediately after work as he was whimpering again. Had to pee badly again. I felt bad, like I was neglecting him.

Tuesday: Same story as Monday, but this time *he bit his nylon leash in half* while I was gone! This does not seem like an aggressive dog.

Wednesday: Was whimpering just as much, but didn't have to pee as badly. (maybe he is starting to drink on a schedule). Starting to think that he is bored and sees the outside as fun time and inside as loafing time. He does have a lot of energy.

Today: the building manager emailed me and said that my dog has been barking all day! So embarrassed. So I went home and set up a little Skype cam. Back at work I noticed that, yes, he was barking. He looks restless and keeps walking to the front door and back to the couch. Also, there is a neighbor dog that is barking back. It sounds like my dog is barking the most though.

So does anyone have suggestions? He is the perfect dog when I'm around him, but when I go away he is anxious and barks. And when I come back, he acts like he's had to pee for 2 hours even when it's not true.

PS: I am going to the vet tomorrow for his first checkup. If you can suggest any questions to ask related to this that would be awesome.
user
my dog is barking and acting anxious when I'm away and I need him to chill out
assistant
I just got a sweet, calm dog 6 days ago from the shelter. He's 8 years old and he looks like a Gordon Setter-Spaniel mix, or maybe an Australian Working Dog-Spaniel mix. His papers indicate he was loved, but his former owner was working two jobs and had to give him up. He isn't a loud dog, which is one of the reasons I chose him. He's never barked at a person as long as I've known him and has been totally friendly or complacent with most dogs. I thought I could wait at least a week to start training him, but I was wrong. This week:

Monday: I came home for lunch, he was whimpering badly. I immediately took him out, as he really had to pee. I took him out immediately after work as he was whimpering again. Had to pee badly again. I felt bad, like I was neglecting him.

Tuesday: Same story as Monday, but this time *he bit his nylon leash in half* while I was gone! This does not seem like an aggressive dog.

Wednesday: Was whimpering just as much, but didn't have to pee as badly. (maybe he is starting to drink on a schedule). Starting to think that he is bored and sees the outside as fun time and inside as loafing time. He does have a lot of energy.

Today: the building manager emailed me and said that my dog has been barking all day! So embarrassed. So I went home and set up a little Skype cam. Back at work I noticed that, yes, he was barking. He looks restless and keeps walking to the front door and back to the couch. Also, there is a neighbor dog that is barking back. It sounds like my dog is barking the most though.

So does anyone have suggestions? He is the perfect dog when I'm around him, but when I go away he is anxious and barks. And when I come back, he acts like he's had to pee for 2 hours even when it's not true.

PS: I am going to the vet tomorrow for his first checkup. If you can suggest any questions to ask related to this that would be awesome.
user
My dog barked all day and now he barks a lot even when I'm away. What can I do about it?
assistant