SEPARATION ANXIETY!!!

[Andie Hinman]

Zoe is 17 months old, totally housebroken and has pretty good manners.  We CANNOT leave her home alone (out of her crate) or she will find something to chew on due to a terrible case of separation anxiety while we are gone.  I do not know how to break her of this because I would love to get rid of the crate alltogether!!! 

 

Any suggestions??

[Andie Hinman]

Well, we only wanted to use the crate to housetrain her when she was a puppy and then do away with it.  She is totally housetrained.  The crate itself is rather large (and so is she) and she really does not like being in it so we just prefer her resting while we are gone. 

 

Forgive me asking, but what is a stuffed kong?  =)

[Adina P]

A Kong is a rubber toy that looks like a cross between a cone and the Michelin Man :-)  It has an opening on one end you can put food or treats or other 'stuffing' =)

[Andie Hinman]

Thanks I am def going to look into getting one!!  ;)

[Kyoko]

I'm the same way. Charlie is 2, and still crated at night and when we are out. It has been this way ever since she was a little puppy.... She likes her crate, and does not mind it at all.

 

[Adina P]

I second Megan's questions: WHY do you want to get rid of the crate?  Many well trained, happy, loved dogs stay in crates while their owners are away and do perfectly fine.  That's the thing...most dogs don't DO things when you're gone.  Most adult dogs will spend the day napping here or there. So if a well behaved dog will spend the day napping when he's alone...why not in the crate?

[Andie Hinman]

She does not like the crate at all and I feel terrible everytime we leave and keep her in there.  You should see her demeanor when we put her in.  The crate is rather large and we would prefer her resting on the floor while we are gone opposed to in the crate.  We only wanted it to housebreak her when she was a puppy.  She sleeps nightly in our room so there is really no need for it anymore.  I just think she is nervous when we leave and that's the reason she gets into stuff.  Other than that, she is perfectly behaved.  =(

[Kyoko]

How about an ex-pen? I have an expandable baby gate that can turn into octagon shape, and/or used to section out the room. I don't use it any more, but it has been helpful as well. ( Only thing is that you have to train her to stay in it and be happy about it, otherwise, she may jump over it...)

[Bug]

they make puppy playpens that are pretty tall. over 40 inches tall there is also a company that makes one that is covered on top so it can't be jumped out of.

[Andie Hinman]

She would find a way to get out, she is sooo tall!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adina P]

Boca climbed out of her expen twice by 18 weeks.  She's very agile!

[Kyoko]

:-0 !!!!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Do you know whether or not Zoe also exhibits separation anxiety when you're gone while he's in the crate?  Does he bark, whine, try to get out?  If not, and he's calm and resting then that sounds perfect.  Both of my dogs are actually calmer outside the crate when we're gone.  They sleep in the foyer and wait.  They don't bark or act anxious.