Help me! I have a doggy problem!?

Question

I have a 9-month-old beagle/chihuahua mix who I love very much. The problem is, she absolutely can't go outside by herself! She will go potty outside, but only if you make her go to the yard and stand there while she does it. She is so freaked about being left alone that she will literally hold it for hours until someone goes outside with her. If we do make her go outside, she barks and scratches on the door, and I mean she barks LOUD. She has someone at home with her almost all the time, but when we leave or go to bed. she is put in a crate. She hates the crate and barks for an hour or two after going in it and will poop and pee all over it and then ROLL in it. She also wakes up at 3 a.m. and starts barking non-stop. I think it might help her to sleep with me at night, but my husband thinks that will just add to the problem. He wants to take her to a shelter, but I can't do that! I am willibg to try ANYTHING to help her! Please give me some advice!

Answer 1

Wow, now that is one spoilt pooch!!!! Put her outside, and leave her there, get a kennel for her, somewhere nice and warm. Ignore the noise and hopefully she will stop, When she stops and starts behaving, then perhaps you can let her back inside for the a couple of hours each evening. When inside, treat her like a dog, leave her on the floor, don't pick her up, and reprimand her for any barking immediately.
Good luck!
I love dogs, have one, and she sleeps in my bedroom, but she sure wouldn't if she carried on like yours!

Answer 2

Sounds like separation anxiety. Some dogs can't stand to be alone, and when they are they become destructive and bark non-stop. It's anxiety that can be overcome with lots of patience and understanding. As for the yard thing, spend time playing with her in the yard. Make any time in the yard a positive experience and perhaps whatever is causing her fear of being outside will diminish. Talk a long walk with her in the evening. This will give her the opportunity to potty outside and expend some energy too.
The crate thing could be part of the separation anxiety too. Visit some website on the anxiety to learn more.

That's a cute combo, beagle/chihuahua. I hope it works out for you and she doesn't become a shelter dog because that would only add to her problem and no one would want to adopt her then.

Answer 3

I've lived with dogs of various breeds all my life, and my first dog was a chihuahua. My grandfather used to raise champion beagles. Both breeds are high strung and do not handle being alone well; I can just imagine what the combination is like.

To going in the yard: Have to been trying to train her to be independent in stages? With some dogs you have to go from walking them out there on their leashes and showing them where you want them to go, to taking them without the leash, to standing outside at the door while they go, to standing inside the door, but still visible, while they go, to finally having them go on their own. I have a Lab and it was still more than a matter of simply opening the door and letting her "do her thing". Dogs aren't born trained to go in this manner.

As to the crate at night: what about a compromise, since most people I know think of crating as temporary anyway? Try a dog bed in your bedroom so she can be with you without being in your bed, nor as confined as the crate. Hopefully, someone who has had a problem with their dog closer to your experience will respond.

Answer 4

Watch the DOG WHISPERER and buy the book too. Take it to obedience class. Just sounds like separation anxiety. Get together a group of friends that have dogs, meet at a park or a big back yard and turn the dogs loose to play together. They will form a pack and investigate the "outside" together and conquer their own fears. Good Luck. Don't call a shelter. That dog needs you. Isn't that obvious!!!! Just work with him. You wouldn't give up if it were an unruly child!!

Answer 5

NEVER EVER EVER let her out of the crate or into the house when she whines/barks/scratches or whatever. She will learn that that behaviour gets her what she wants. Even if she is only silent for 10 seconds, let her out/in then and praise her profusely. It may take some time, and patience (send your husband on vaca for a while, lol), but it should eventually work. It's worked on every dog that I've ever seen anyone try it on.

Answer 6

I don't know if any of these ideas will work but you can only try.

Try putting her on the bed with you at night on her own blanket. Animals like to be near humans because they feel loved. And don't forget lots of hugs to reassure her.

Buy some small bones from the butchers and throw them outside every now and then so she gets used to being outside without anyone else around. We have scmackos for dogs (like beef jerky) and I don't know a dog that doesn't like them. You will have a similar products, try throwing them outside too!

Arrange some pet obedience classes.

If you don't already, take her for a walk on a lead. Dogs love to go for walkies.

I hope this will help you and others might have more ideas too. Good Luck !!
Dog Lover From Oz

Answer 7

Maybe she doesn't know she is a dog! Have you thought of getting another dog her size to play with? Dogs pick up habits from other dogs -- they imitate each other. You need a"real dog" that knows they are a dog. She is probably very lonely also. Would you like being shut up in a crate every night away from people you love? Wouldn't you wonder why you were being punished? Why not let her stay in the room with you -- she is obviously traumatized and experiencing emotional distress.

Answer 8

It sounds like seperation anxiety to me. She is also comparing being in the crate as a time that she is away from you for long periods of time. Try putting her in the crate more often and for shorter periods of time. For instance, put her in there when you take a shower, then let her out and give her a treat. Put her in there while you go out to check the mail, then let her out and give her a treat! See, the pattern. She needs to be shown that you will return shortly and that for her patience she will get a treat! Good Luck!

Answer 9

Maybe you should take her to the vet and then ask him to check her out. This may be gross, but make sure that she doesn't have a urinary tract infection. It's happened many times to my dog. Also, as k the veteranarian if he/she has any sleeping pills for the puppy. Whatever you do, though, do NOT give the puppy any of YOUR medicine! Good luck!


P.S : Since she's half chihuahua, she IS bound to bark :)

Answer 10

Your dog is a classic example of Separation anxiety. This is something that is easily cured if you are willing to put the time in and stick with proper training methods to solve this problem. There are very simple training methods you must take to establish your leadership to your dog.
Email me at: [e-mail] and I will be happy to forward a training process called Paws-itive Bonding (TM) that will eliminate this problem.