When I had dogs, I told them whats going on and how long that I would be gone.
Work = 9 hrs
golf = 5 hrs
store = 1 hr max
My bulldog was so stupid. (redundant, i know). She would be excited to see me, of course, but she never connect the garage door opening, and a car noise with me being home. She always slept in her kennel (with the door open) or outside on the deck. she never met me at the door, she came running as soon as the door was open. excited to see me. But she only connected the door (from house to garage) opening with me home, not the big garage door.
I talk to my critters all the time, knowing full well they don’t understand it all.
If I’m just running to the grocery or something comparable, I say, ‘see you guys in a few, be good’. If I am going to work or elsewhere where I’ll be gone several hours, I say ‘bye guys, see you tomight, love y’all’. Usually tos in a ‘be good!’ TOO.
Yup. I tell everyone in the house “Bye, Mom’s off to work,” and the barn “kids” the same thing. My 2 outdoor/barn cats even walk me to the car every morning, which usually makes an uber shitty day better.
My mom and I came home from a multiday folk fest. We were on the porch. Mom had left the window open, so the cats could go in and out. Suddenly we heard MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW MEOW!!! Scout was at the door crying like she hadn’t seen us for years and years. Cats are smart and they know when they are left alone. A few years ago we were leaving on a trip and had suitcases in the dining room…All the cats lined up b/c they KNEW we were leaving.
The cats would also get super psyched when I would come home from college.
I try to say the same thing to them every time I’m leaving because I read (Barbara Woodhouse I think) that it helps calm them if you use the same routine every time. I say, “I’ll be right back. Be good!”
Yes, but I think I’m going to try not letting them know.
This isn’t easy, because to leave the house I have to shut all the doors except the kitchen door, and my dog/s (we have one dog and petsit one other dog a lot) will know I’m about to leave. But perhaps I can try doing kitchen chores or sitting down in there for a while before I leave.
Apparently my dog barks when I’m gone. This is on one report - heh - but I don’t want to risk it being more.
I also check that the cat is in the same area as the dogs because otherwise he will spend the entire time mewing pitifully and I will come home to a lonely ball of fluff flopped against the living room door asking why, if I had to leave him alone, why at least didn’t I let him be with his doggy friends? Why must I torture him so? Food!
I used to tell Angus the Scotti that we were going out and he was in charge of the house. When we came back all the wastebaskets would be tipped over and paper strewn about. He took liberties with his power.
My dogs pretty much seem to understand when I’m leaving for work. They hang out with me in the bathroom or the bedroom while I’m getting ready.
When I leave, I give them both some scratches behind the ears, a little kiss on the head, and tell them I"ll see them tonight. It’s all done calmly and quietly. The don’t freak out, and in fact, know they need to go into the kennel and will walk to the back door and wait for me to open it so they can climb in the kennel.
They know when the garage door opens someone is home and they start running to the inner garage door to greet whomever is going to enter.
When we’re about to leave, we give a shout to the house in general “we’re leaving now, ___ is in charge!” Depending on who was in charge, we would sometimes add an extra bit.
That was great when we had five animals in the house. When the cold hand of attrition brought us down to two in a short span of time, it was a bit unnerving.
I usually tell them “Be good kitties. I’ll see you tonight,” as I head out the door for work. If I don’t tell them to be good, who knows what they might do while I’m gone?
I only say something to one of the dogs if I am only taking the other two for some reason, and then it is just to say No, you don’t get to go. Dogs can learn a few words that will indicate to them that they can expect you sooner or later, but since their sense of time is so poor and grasp of English also not good, they don’t really know the difference between going to work or just going to the store. They have figured out what suitcases mean tho.
I do tell the cat goodbye tho, and to guard the house. Which is kinda dumb since she is the biggest scaredy cat ever! OTOH, no one has broken into the house since I started telling her to guard!!
Dad??? Is that you? Except for the names (Bart and Duncan), my dad says the exact same thing to his dogs whenever he leaves.
My dog goes to daycare 4 days a week. On his off day, I’ll say, “Sorry, dude, it’s Wednesday - no daycare.” and he goes and hides under the table.
He also sufferers from separation anxiety and the trainer said to say the same thing everytime you leave. Supposedly, they associate that phrase with leaving and coming back and become less nervous.
I do this with Cuervo, my cat. We have two other cats, one a lazy, fat evil female, and the other a very immature and mischievous Maine Coon male. So I make sure Cuervo knows he’s in charge til I get back, and remind the others to be good.
When we leave to go to Bears games during football season, we leave the tv on the channel the game will be on so they can watch too.
The cats definitely know what suitcases mean, and whose are whose. Seeing both bags out freaks them a little, because they know it’s no skritches for 48 hours or more.
