I tried googling this, but all that turned up was dogs with separation anxiety who get depressed if their owner leaves for work or something.

So my brother's dog gets upset if there's a wooden door separating him from either me or my brother. This is extremely annoying, because whenever my brother goes to the bathroom, doge cries. When my brother leaves for work, he sits outside my door and cries, sometimes howls. He'll keep this up until I let him in or yell "shut up", but it's like 5 AM and please let me sleep.

Doge is a border collie, so very smart and at this point knows exactly what "shut up" means, but I don't really say that unless I'm trying to sleep (I'm exceptionally cranky when tired). Also it's not very nice. :3 so maybe Subeta has tips.

I'm not much of a pro, but yelling to your dog "shut up" is not going to fix anything at all.

Is it a dog pre-owned by someone? How old is tbe little critter?

- of course it isn't, that's why I'm asking.

My brother got him when he was 6 months old from a family that wasn't able to exercise him very much. Apparently they kept him in their basement, sadly. We've had him for about 3 years now.

100% separation anxiety and total lack of exercise. It's a little late, but you could try crate training him, giving him that safe little space. But the best thing to do is to play with him, take him on walks. Spend time with him until he's exhausted. Border Collies especially are super hyperactive dogs that NEED exercise, they are not and never will be lazy dogs.

There are different exercises you can do with dogs that have separation anxiety. I don't really know how they work but I'm sure you can look up guides and tips.

- um that means we've had him for more than 2 years now. He gets plenty of exercise now, just not before.

- I don't think it is separation anxiety, because I already looked it up and most of it doesnt match. He's only upset if there's a door in the way. I can leave the door open, he won't even come in, but he'll be fine in the next room. Problem is some doors need to be closed... like bathroom doors.

What's your point? Dogs can still be crate trained when they're older. From what you've described on here, it sounds like separation anxiety. An open door means he can still see you.

Do some actual research on separation anxiety tips before you get snarky. Or find a dog trainer.

- I did do actual research on separation anxiety. Don't blame me about snarkiness if you can't even be bothered to read my posts. Why even reply?

I did read your posts, the whole two of them that came before my own. It sounds like separation anxiety from the very small amount of information you've given. Instead of just saying 'no it doesn't fit', maybe you should actually list what he does so the people you're seeking advice from can actually give you advice. Everything you've stated that he does so far matches up with separation anxiety. 'No he doesn't have that' and not telling us more on what he does except he doesn't like a door between you isn't near enough information. You're going to keep getting 'separation anxiety' until then.

And your 'um that means we've had him for more than 2 years now.' made absolutely no sense given what I said in my first post at all.

- I didn't give more information because there is no more information. That's why I don't think it's separation anxiety. He doesn't like when there is a door seperating himself from either myself or my brother, and in any other situation he doesn't cry or mind. If my brother disappears behind some trees or over a hill, or leaves the park to get something at a convenience store, he looks and is curious as usual but doesn't panic.

It doesn't match separation anxiety because he has a grand total of 1 quirky symptom. That isn't a great amount. "Everything I've said" implying there is a lot when there isn't. There is a reason I didn't include any other information.

It makes sense if you realize I'm coming from a position where I am assuming-- and I hope I'm right-- that you are not assuming my brother and I are also keeping this dog locked in a basement with no exercise, or otherwise not giving a shepherd breed enough exercise. I didn't mention anything about his health or how often we walk him, which is why I didn't think you would assume that. But now I think you WERE assuming that.

What part of my comment at all implied I thought you kept him in the basement? All I said was he needed exercise to tire him out, because that may help. A lot of problems with dogs can be solved just with some good hard play, and in many cases people don't know that, which is why I suggested it in the first place. Plenty of people think a 20 minute walk around the neighborhood is enough exercise for some dogs that need more. They could have a destructive dog for years and never understand this.

Again, you're getting really pissy for no reason at all. I was trying to help, and you turned nasty just because you didn't like my suggestions. If you'd simply said 'he only does this so I don't think it's separation anxiety, and we know a herding dog needs a lot of exercise' from your first reply, instead of 'um we've had him for more than two years, he gets more exercise than before' you could have saved us both a whole lot of pointless arguing.

I swear, half the people that come in to this board don't want any real advice at all.

- I don't know why you think I'm pissy, or nasty. I'm mostly confused because I'm trying to understand how you're interpreting my replies. I guess it'd help if it weren't a text conversation without any tone of voice.

Anyway, I figure you're just making assumptions based on common mistakes people make, so I guess that's why I'm confused. The dog is fine in every respect except this wierd door problem, but now that I think of it, he also used to be afraid of stairs leading into basements. :/ I think it's probably related.

I am talking to a dog trainer but she's taking ages to reply so I thought I'd go on Subeta and see what people have to say here.

Lack of exercise definitely can be huge part of it- collies are working dogs and need a LOT- but something like this might help too.

I've had to deal with dogs like this before. I worked at a dog daycare and we had one who was perfectly content when we were in the room but would bark whenever we had to leave him alone. He wasn't going nuts, or stressing, he just was always used to being with people (his owner is one of those 'I take my dog everywhere' people, which is great, but y'know) and didn't like it when we left him alone to go and do other things. I would definitely look into doing alone training. Make it a positive experience when he's by himself (ie; if you do have to leave the room, give him something to keep him occupied while you're gone -- kongs work really well, I've found).

Border Collies are also immensely loyal dogs, and prone to more... anxious behaviors (which is likely why he starts protesting when you leave him by himself... even if you are just a door away). I don't think crate training would really help in this situation because he'll likely still bark in the crate, and I believe with the restricted space the anxiety will just elevate, but you can certainly try if the dog is willing.