[MyKale]

ok good news first... /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
Diesel is now completely potty trained. and if he isnt then he is pretty darn close... we have not had an accident in 3 days. not even a little one when he gets excited and meets someone new.. cause he did meet a lot of people yesterday with our superbowl party... and not one accident!! YAY!!!

now for the bad news... /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif
i think diesel is starting to get speration anxiety pretty bad... and i dont know what to do to help him.. i know getting another dog can help. but that will not happen for a while. so any advice on how to help him. i keep his kennel dark so its like a den for him. i give him a treat every time i put him in his kennel to show him its a good place. but i dont know what else i can do to help him... i feel so bad because he whines so loud and it sounds horrible.

any advice??

 

[DaisysMom]

That's great on the potty training! I'm hoping Daisy is well on her way.

I'm not sure what to do about the separation anxiety. Daisy has a bit of it too, and nothing that I have tried has helped so far.

 

[Spencer's Mum]

Oh boy do I know about SA.

Can you go through your leaving and coming back routine for us? I would just be interested to see and hopefully be able to give you tips on what you can change.

In case you forgot, Spencer is the one who has SA so bad that he was barking for 3 hours and 20 minutes straight when we were leaving. We have gotten it to improve but we are not completely there yet.

 

[MyKale]

well in the morning the first thing is diesel goes out... then comes upstairs with me while i get ready and he eats and plays with toys... after i get ready i go down stairs give him his medicine and play for a bit (in the summer ill take him for a walk but right now its just to cold) then i take him out side again to go potty. let him back in and put him in the kennel, give him a treat and shut the door half way so he is not so loud.

i then grab my purse my keys and put my shoes on and leave. i have to park outside. he barks so loud i can hear him. out side... it is not so good cause my neighbor works night shifts and her husband works day shifts. so someone is always asleep over at their house.

 

[Marley's Mommy]

how old again? Some dogs improve with this over time. Ignore him, don't baby him or go to his crate or wherever he is. Marley got used to it and now at 9 months he rarely cries unless he just really wants out of that crate.

Congrats on the potty training.

 

[GloverCharlie]

well done with the potty training!! go disel!!

dont know about the sa, u seem to do a good thing there..

xx
K

 

[MyKale]

he is 4 months on the tenth... he was doing really well with being in his crate when i first went to work... i started him in the crate when he was very young about a week after i brought him home i had to start going back to work. so he was in there all day... after about 3 weeks he hardly cried but now it has reversed... he cries for ever.

 

[jassy]

How long does he stay in his crate? Maybe if someone could let him out and play with him after a few hours he would sleep in between. When Maggie was that little we were lucky to have my dad come by twice a day and let Maggie out to play. Then she was ready to go back in for a nap.

 

[beaglesmom]

Got this from my beagle group - hope it's helpful.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dogs with separation anxiety exhibit extreme behavior problems when they are left alone. The most common behaviors are destruction of property (sometimes injuring themselves in the process), especially around doors or windows, howling and barking, and urination and defecation from distress. The destruction and house soiling is not an attempt to seek revenge on the owner for leaving, but is actually a panic response.

Separation anxiety sometimes happens when

A dog has never or rarely been left alone.
Following a long interval, such as a vacation, when dog and owner are constantly together.
After a traumatic event (in the dog's mind) such as time at a boarding kennel or shelter.
After a change in the family's routine, like a move to a new home, or a new person in the home.
Dogs that exhibit separation anxiety follow their owners around from room to room and become anxious even if a closed door separates them from the owner. They dislike spending time alone outdoors. They act depressed or anxious to your getting ready to leave the house.

For minor separation anxiety problems the following may be helpful:

Keep comings and goings low key. Ignore the dog the first few minutes when you come home, then calmly pet him.
Leave your dog with an article of clothing that has your scent on it-- one that you don't mind if it gets chewed on.
Provide enriched environment to keep the dog busy while alone. A Kong toy (even several) that is stuffed with soft food is good-- unstuffing it will occupy the dog. Hide favorite chewies in the house for the dog to find.
Sometimes leaving the radio or TV on is helpful, if the dog associates it with your presence. Or make a tape of family kitchen noise and play it while you are gone.
Provide aerobic exercise before leaving, but let the dog calm down before you leave. A tired dog will rest better.
Teach a sit or down stay (or use a tether) and gradually increase the distance you move away from your dog. Your goal is to move briefly out of sight while he remains in position. You want your dog to be comfortable about spending time apart from you.
Some dogs may be more comfortable in a crate - if the dog has first been trained to regard the crate as a safe haven. However, in many SA cases, confinement only worsens the dog's panic and hysteria.
Some dogs do better if they have a companion animal to keep them company. But this is not always successful, so be sure you actually want another pet.
Punishing a dog for destructiveness is not effective and may actually make things worse, since it could increase his anxiety.

Severe cases require systematic desensitization to being alone. This can take a long time. Sometimes veterinary prescribed drugs are used as a temporary measure along with the behavior modification program. Because a dog with severe separation anxiety can do damage to himself and/or your home, you may have to figure out some interim measures, such as leaving the dog at a daycare facility, or with a neighbor or family member.

Copyright © Pat Scott

 

[MyKale]

ok thanks for all your help... ill try that... he is a really hyper dog and really social... he loves to be around people. so he hardly ever goes in his crate unless i have him go in there when i go to work.

he goes in his crate at 8 i get home at 1230 from school. he goes out then unless my mom comes home for lunch then she gets here at 1130 and he then goes back in his crate at about 115 when i leave. and my dad gets home at about 5 and lets him out and watches him till i get home