I have a 6 mo old puppy who is well behaved when we are home but when we leave her she destroys things?

Question

even tho we put things high she reaches them (has long legs) and destroys things-someone said she is suffering from 'separation syndrome'-ever hear of this and what can i do?

Answer 1

She probably gets bored and lonely. Some people will leave their dogs in crates during the day when they are gone. Another thing to consider would be to get her a companion. It doesn't have to be another dog. It could be a cat, maybe an older one who already gets along with dogs. A final thing you could do is talk to the vet about antianxiety drugs, which may help her deal with the separation issue. Dogs are pack animals, and it worries them to be abandoned by the pack. She will probably calm down some as she get older. Good luck!

Answer 2

Crate her when you are away. This doesn't sound like true separation anxiety; she is likely bored when you are gone and occupies herself with all the wrong things. Either way, the solution is roughly the same.

For your young dog, a crate is like a playpen for a toddler. You would never leave a toddler to have free run of the house when you weren't paying attention, and likewise you should not let your puppy have free run either. When your pup is more grown up, she can have more and more privileges, but in the meantime she doesn't know what else to do with herself and truly doesn't know any better.

Also, for dogs, possession defines property ownership. If the alpha dog abandons a piece of meat, that piece of meat is fair game again. When you leave, she is in charge of the house for all she knows, and has the right to help herself. When you confine her while you're gone, you prevent her from getting away with that until she is old enough and settled down enough to stop doing it.

Answer 3

My Akita's are the same way and even pulled the closet doors off twice. There was no cure for this problem for me so I ended up having to lock them up outside when I am not home. They have settled somewhat (18 months old now) but I am not willing to risk them ripping up the house again. Perhaps, if you can't leave her outside, you could try a crate in the house where she can be safe and then let her out when you are home. Obedience classes would be another option which a lot of pet stores offer these days. Good luck!! DOGS RULE!!

Answer 4

i had a Lhasa that would tear down the shades off off the window and even scratch the paint off of door.i found if i shut all the bed room doors and used a baby gate only allowing him to be in the kitchen that he couldn't destroy things,i also gave him a busy ball,one filled with dog food,that kept him busy.some dogs do have a very hard time separating from their people,they no longer have that pack leaded that they need so they will behave,they are like a child left in a candy store.it is something that you will have to work on but,your baby will learn in time how to behave while you are away.-

Answer 5

Separation anxcity is a problem for some dogs. In addition to destroying things look forr signs fo digging in the carpet or scratch marks on a hardwood floor.Also you might want to try crating your dog while you are away at work for the day.If your dog has never been in a crate before though you do not want to just get the thing,put the dog in it and leave.You will need to introduce the dog to the crate. Petsmart sells a DVD on crate training.Check it out! Also please talk to your vet about this problem first before you decide.

Answer 6

Yes, I have heard of separation anxiety. The dog is lonesome and out of something to do. What I did with one of my dogs was to leave the television on and also to be sure and leave her plenty of toys to play with. I was also careful to leave at the same time and not make a big deal out of leaving. In the afternoon, I always tried to get home at the same time each day. If I couldn't get home at the exact time each day, I got home as close to the usual time for coming as I could. When I came in the house, I didn't make a big deal over the fact that I was back.

Answer 7

Try this site, there is a ot more info to read. See the site listed below.

Separation anxiety in dogs is the fear or dislike of isolation which often results in undesirable behaviour. Separation anxiety is one of the most common causes of canine behavioural problems (Polin 1992; Voith and Borchelt 1985).

As social animals, it is normal for puppies to form attachments to their mother and littermates. Once a puppy is separated from its family group, it becomes attached to its owner. Attachment implies a trusting relationship and is the foundation of a good, healthy bond between owner and pet (Polin 1992). However, when a dog becomes overly dependent on its owner, problem behaviours may result.

There are many problem behaviours associated with separation anxiety including: defecation and urination in inappropriate locations, destructive behaviour, excessive barking and whining, depression, and hyperactivity. These behaviours may also be the symptoms of other problems. However, if undesired behaviours are clearly related to the absence of the owner, occur shortly after departure and a prolonged greeting response occurs upon the owner's return, separation anxiety is the probable cause (McElroy 1989). If a problem behaviour has persisted for an extended period, a visit to the vet will ensure that there are no underlying medical problems.


Contributing Factors

Separation anxiety may occur in dogs with an abnormal predisposition to dependency (Machum 1991). Traumatic events in a young dog's life may also increase the likelihood of the development of very strong attachments. These events include; early separation from the *****, deprivation of attachment early in life (puppies kept in pet shops or animal shelters), a sudden change of environment (new home, stay at a kennel), a change in owner's lifestyle which results in a sudden end to constant contact with the animal, a long-term or permanent absence of a family member (divorce, death, child leaving home) or the addition of a new family member (baby, pet) (Voith and Borchelt 1985; McElroy 1989).


Separation-induced behaviours

Every dog afflicted with separation anxiety reacts somewhat differently (Borchelt 1983). Some dogs only engage in one problem behaviour while others may engage in several. Many dogs can sense when their owner is leaving and become anxious even before the owner leaves the house. The dog may follow the owner from room to room, whimper, shake or even become aggressive as the owner tries to depart (Voith and Borchelt 1985). The dog's anxiety level peaks within 30 minutes of departure and this is usually when most damage is done. Dogs displaying separation anxiety will often scratch and dig at doors and windows in an attempt to follow their owner. Chewing on household objects is also very common. Some dogs urinate and defecate in unacceptable locations such as by the door or on their owner's bed. Whining and barking for an extended period are also common concerns. Other dogs become depressed and will not eat or drink while their owner is gone. This is especially detrimental if the owner is gone for an extended period. In rare cases, dogs will have diarrhea, vomit or engage in self-mutilation such as chewing on themselves or excessive licking after being left alone. Most affected dogs will become overly excited when the owner arrives home and will engage in an unusually prolonged greeting (Voith and Borchelt 1985).

Answer 8

SEperation syndrom is were they get destructive and mad bbecause your not there (im working with a dog at the SPCA that has that problem). She/He could also just be very bored try buying it some more toys. what i think works really good is those Kongo toys they are red. and when you throw them they bounce all over so when your gone fill it with peanut butter and it will keep it stimulated. We do that at the shelter because the dogs get stressed and bored so you give them a a job and that will keep it busy for a while. My dog gets destructive at night so i thought i would try one of those and it worked really good so ya i recomend one of those. If your dog doesnt like peanut butter fil it with its dog food but try peanut butter first cause it doesnt go bad. so i hope it works

Answer 9

she misses you when you leave if you baby her when your home she will keep being destructive when you leave. I have a 4 month old puppy and when i first got him he was like that so i started outing him in a puppy kennel outside while i was gone it took about one week for him to figure out that if he tore stuff up he was going out now as long as the bathroom door is closed(lol) he will stay in and behave.

Answer 10

yep she is lonely and bored

when I use to leave my dogs lone I would put them in the garage (make sure its clear of any chemicals or anything else dangerous!!!!!! then i had a dog door out to the back yard, it was fenced in so they had all the back yard to run and play, then food and water and shelter in the garage, it was like a huge doghouse lol

you also might want to look into getting a second dog, that way they always have someone to play with.