Separation Issues!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Last year, I thought he was just a puppy so the destruction was chalked up to that. Last school year he destroyed a couch, a loveseat and a lazy boy chair. Not to mention the video tapes, books, garbage and anything else left out. We learned to pick everything up. We leave out marrow bones stuffed with dog food or cheese. We tried finger wagging and ignoring him. He seemed to get better as June approached.

I'm home with them all summer and there were no problems for the short trips out. I go back to work three weeks ago and the first week there was no problems. Yesterday, I come home and 2 of my son's textbooks are chewed up and the moulding on the walls is pulled off.

He has his brother and sister for company. He has a dog door to get outside to the yard whenever he wants. I am at a loss as to what to do. I cannot stay with him all day, I have to work to support his wonderful lifestyle (and my families). I teach "crazy" juveniles all day, while a "crazy" juvenile doodle tears apart my house.

I have read the books, watched the Dog Whisperer. Anyone been through this and found a solution? Any ideas?

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

Oh my gosh!!! I can relate...although mine has not been that bad. My 14 month old doodle was great in the house...we had her out of the crate all the time. Well I took the kids to Georgia for 10 days...and my husband even stayed home...THEN it started. She was fine while we were gone, but when we got back... oh boy. She chewed my daughter's bag (that she had taken to GA)..she chewed a throw pillow from my couch..... some shoes...and also chewed my moulding!!! I thought my husband was gonna get rid of her. Since the moulding we have to put her back in the crate during the day when we leave. Not sure when I'll change that..we are just taking it slow for now. We have since gotten a 2nd doodle so they both actually like their crates...so for the time being we have a doodle motel (with 2 xl crates) in my office.

I wish you luck.... but I'll be watching the discussions on here to see what others have to say.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Thanks Lori. But I can't crate Jack because he has issues being in small tight places. He was rescued from a small enclosure dehydrated and malnourished by some stupid person who left him there to die. He is a wonderful boy when we are all home. I sure hope someone can help us both.

[Adina P]

What does he do when he's in the crate Lynne?
You also mentioned having read "the books" and watched Dog Whisperer...what did both of those things lead you to try SO FAR?
I'm not an expert on this but our Thule was AWFUL in the crate when we got her at 11 months: Screamed, cried, barked, wailed, pooped.
I worked with her once we decided she didn't NEED to be in the crate and little by little she got to the point where she'll nap in there on her own (the door is removed). I'm sure with time we could get her to relax if left in a crate, but have not had the need.
Not saying that Jack is the same...but have you tried re-training him to like the crate with no pressure to actually be there with the door closed?
I second Natalie's suggestion to hire a trainer or behaviorist who specializes in such things. I bet IDOG's director Beth might also be of assistance.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I have never put him in a crate because the way I got him was that the ASPCA in PA couldn't cage him. He was freaking out to the point that he was hurting himself and they were looking for a foster. We were only originally taking him until someone could take him. Guess what, we kept him. He's such a sweet guy, we all fell in love with him. One year later, he still has some issues.

The books have suggested giving filled bones (which we do), not making a big deal of leaving (which we do), teaching boundries (which he knows when we are home). He never touches anything when we are home. I leave the TV on for company. I have sprayed a phermone spray, a bitter apple spray, I even bought Zen Puppy, which was supposed to calm during storms.

[Adina P]

Since he hasn't been crated...then it MIGHT work...over a period of time (don't set ANY time limits on this) to have a crate out that you put his food in...so he goes in there to eat or get a treat or find his kong or bone. Door WIDE open--maybe a comfy bed in there...until he starts to feel okay going in and out. If you go SUPER slow, it might be a good thing for him to learn to be okay with. Obviously this won't solve the problem NOW...but might be useful to work through this fear for him.
I wish I knew more about what would help in the meantime.

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

Are you able to just block off a certain area of the house?

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

We tried that last year and he tore the gate off the wall.

[2hl9mp3c2fuam]

He is a difficult little lover isn't he...poor baby. To get into their heads huh?? Well I think Adina has some good ideas about crating...maybe give that a shot. Once again - good luck.

[Adina P]

Would he jump an expen? Maybe one of the super tall ones?

[1knme66wzgv4k]

Is doggie day care an option? Is he getting a lot of exercise? Those are the only things I can think of. I know that we just learned that our doodle needed more boudries because we were giving him too much free reign and it was causing issues in his behavior. Other than that, I'm sorry, I'm not much help! GOOD LUCK I hope you find something that works! You may want to contact a trainer that specializes in this behavior.

[38kijwn0b88tn]

I would def try to re-train him to like the crate. Adina's suggestions are good. Leave the door open and put nice treats inside, he should hopefully just go in there on his own. Over time he'll learn that that is his safe-zone. Another thing is maybe find a neighbor who could come over once during the day to check on him, to take him outside to play fetch for a bit and tire him out. A tired dog is a good dog! As also suggested you may have to resort to a doggy day care. Do some extensive research, as some aren't so "nice" and use lots of negative reinforcements to control the dogs. If money would be the problem for that, just think about the money you wouldn't be spending on the walls, couches, and other things!
I wish you the best! GOOD LUCK! and hang in there!

[Ann W]

Have you talked to your vet? Separation issue is not cut and dry. I had a golden that had separation issues. We were luck that he was not destruction. We had him as a puppy and tried everything . My vet ended up being my best sort for Eli.