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]

I know she lays down when I leave, but not sure if she gets upset after we close the door.  I just know she dreads going in there!!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

My dogs get a treat when they go in their crates and don't seem to mind it at all. I have peeped at them through a window and they are usually sleeping or resting when I do. They don't like being in their crates if they know I'm home, though.

[Bug]

I just got a book from dogwise.com called Don't Leave Me! by Nicole Wilde. I have not had time to read much of it yet but the first part of the book she explains what separation anxiety is and what it isn't and she suggests using a video camera or tape recorder to find out exactly what happens when you are not home so you understand what you are dealing with and then figure out what to do about it. they have it as an Ebook you can download and start reading right away which is what i did but then i realized that my dog is doing fine so i started focusing on other books that fit more with my current life. it looks like a good book though and maybe it could help you? does Zoe get upset when one person leaves her? is she fine as long as she is with someone? that is one of the things the book talks about also some people think their dog has separation anxiety but their dog is actually more into partying and happy to do everything not normally allowed when their person is gone. she says separation anxiety is when the dog is bonded to a specific person and gets anxiety when separated from that person and if the dog gets upset to be left alone then that is separation distress.

[Andie Hinman]

Sounds like a great idea!!  Thanks so much for the info!!!  =)

 

Zoe gets upset when she is alone and we are all gone.  If someone is home, she is fine, no matter who it is.

[Carol Brand]

Crating is a lifelong skill.  Even if Zoe didn't have issues, I would encourage you to keep crating her.  Keeping her acclimated to her crate means that she will be more comfortable if she ever has to travel (airplane or strange hotel) or if she ever has to have an extended stay at the vets.

[Andie Hinman]

Thanks for the reply!!!  =)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

If, for whatever reason, you want to get rid of the crate, you need to help Zoe create a new comfort zone.  Perhaps the bathroom or the laundry room.  Move her crate to this place and let her get used to her crate in this new place.  Put her in the crate with the door closed both while you are in the room and out of the room.  Feed her in the crate with the door open in its new home.  When she is not in her crate leave the door open so she can go in if she pleases.  Then leave her locked in the new place with the crate open for short periods, then longer periods.  Lock her in the room with a frozen kong, antlerz or whatever long term treat is her favorite - crate is closed.  Then remove crate.  Some dogs have a lot of trouble with this and have a hard time giving up their crate, just like some children have a blanky for what seems like forever.

If all else fails buy an expensive dog crate that looks like a table, teach her that it is her safe place(above) and leave her in the house but with the table/crate open so she can retreat their when she needs to.

 

Good luck

 

[Andie Hinman]

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!  =)  Great advice.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Rosey wouldn't crate for anything.  And I was actually really more nervous with her in it than out of it.  She pooped, banged herself, barked...etc, she really is either independent or chlosterphobic.   So part of our decision in getting another dood while  away certainly helped.  But you definitely can pin her in a room which is what works for us and kongs, marrow bones everytime we leave. Plus a radio or tv noise can help drown out noise that may spook her... If it is really bad then hire a trainer specializing in behavioral issues...  Best of luck...I know how hard this issue is..

[Andie Hinman]

I definitely would LOVE to get another doodle, but our lease allows one.  We will be house shopping soon and will be Doodle shopping too!!  ;)

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

My dog Rylee hated the crate.  She actually escaped from it as a puppy and would pee on the floor everytime we tried to put her in it as she got older.  We got rid of the crate.  She is much happier to sit and look out the window and wait for us.  The chewing is a problem.  Can you keep her in a room in which there is not much to destroy.  I have used bitter apple spray for my other dog. I spray it on all kinds of things so he won't chew.  It helps. Or the expen someone recommended?  Good luck!

[Andie Hinman]

Yes, I think if she just got used to it but I would hate for her to chew the computer cord or tv cord, etc.  I am afraid if I put her in another room, she will scratch the door all up!!!  I might just give it some time until we get another doodle to keep her company.  lol