My puppy goes crazy when left alone...I need some major 'real' advice on this...he may be crazy?

Question

I will give one example...this morning I left for work putting the pup in his crate with his bed and toys. I was gone for one hour and when I arrived home I could still hear him crying or even screaming...I get to my room and look at the crate...its empty...he escaped and he had somehow jumped onto my bed (he can NEVER usually jump that high) and he was stuck in the blinds barking out the window with his paw tangle up in them as well....my room had been trashed and he even had been up on top of my dresser...how can he jump so high?? After I untangled him from his prison he was frantic...panting...bouncing...crazy. I was only gone for an hour...I left work because I wasnt feeling well....and what if I would have not come back so soon...he might be dead. How can I control him...? Should I just get a babysitter...It seems after many tries something just like this always happens...what should I do???

Answer 1

Separation anxiety - our puppy had it. She would literally bang herself against the crate sides and scream!

At the time, we had a plastic crate for her. We ended up getting her a LARGE wire crate so that she can see out and move around (even during her housetraining period). She has gotten out of the wire crate several times, but we put on a D-ring that she can't undo.

You need to break him into the new crate slowly. Offer treats at first to get him in there by putting the treats first at the door and then slowly moving it back towards the back. NEVER use his crate to punish him when he does something bad.

When you get home, don't run straight to the crate. Unwind a bit. He's thinking if it's a huge deal that you're home, then it's a huge deal that you leave.

Exercise him before you leave - talk him out for a brisk walk so that he sleeps while you're gone.

Finally, use the pheromone spray or wall plug in. It's the scent that mom dogs emit to calm their pups. You won't be able to smell it at all. You can find them at a pet store.

Most importantly - take him to puppy training. Your puppy trainer will be able to help you through problems like these and other problems that you will come across.

Answer 2

Sorry, I know that sucks. As a breeder, I would keep the pups away from her at this time. You already lost a few and don't want to loose the last three. Call your vet. Maybe he can prescribe you some sedative for the momma dog. That should help her sleep, but she KNOWS she has pups and wants to find them. I had the same problem 7 months ago, but I put the pups back with the mom after feeding. I have also seen momma dogs kill thier own pups because of a different smell on them. If sedation doesn't work, buy her a muzzle so you can sleep. The pups need you at your best and momma dog isn't making your life any better. I usually only have to muzzle a dog for one night, then they get the hint.

Answer 3

He has major separation anxiety. I don't know how many hours you work, but crating him for more than 4 hours is far too long. If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, you'll need to find a viable alternative. Do you have a bathroom or laundry room he can be placed in? Since it's obvious from your post that he's able to jump quite high, you'll have to double stack baby gates. Make sure he has his toys, bed, piddle pad, and leave on a radio or t.v. If that's not an option, perhaps you can look into some sort of doggie day-care..provided he's been completely vaccinated.

Answer 4

Puppies need attention. Being locked in a crate 9 - 10 hours a day while you're at work is not life for any animal - especially a young one.

Do both of you a favor and give this dog to a family that can give him the attention he needs. If you must have a pet, go to a shelter and get an older dog that doesn't have so much energy to burn. Get a cat. They require very little attention. Or, better yet, get a small animal that belongs in a cage like a hamster, Guinea pig, mouse, or rat. Maybe an aquarium full of fish is something that you can handle.

Answer 5

Oh poor Puppy! He is having feelings of anxiety because you left him alone. He will grow out of it when he matures ( at about a year old). In the meantime, try placing him in a bathroom with classical music playing in the background. A baby gate works wonderfully if he can't jump across it, that way he doesn't have that "closed in feeling". Do you have a fenced backyard that you can leave him in while you are gone?

Answer 6

How old is this puppy? I am sure it will eventually grow out of it. There is a product on the maket called DAP- dog appeasing pheromone- that is well regarded- it is the same scent the mother realeases to calm puppies while nursing. You should be able to locate it at a good pet supply store.When you are home for a full day work on leaving the dog in its crate. Put it in the crate for five minutes and then come back. Then do 10 minutes and come back- the pup needs to learn that you always do return. Gradually increase the time the dog is left alone. You might also want to check in to another crate- if the pup can get out something is wrong. Good luck- if you spend the training time up front you will get a great companion.

Answer 7

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Since it is obvious that you do not have a clue about obedience training, your services should be for free. You cannot train even an adult dog for 8 hours a day. About the most that can be done at any one time is 10 - 20 minutes and that is with an adult dog and not a puppy. The attention span on this baby is extremely short and training session should be no more than 10 minutes and twice a day. Additionally, there isn t going to be much learned if you will only be training for 5 days. Obedience training is cumulative and is done over a much longer period of at least several weeks to several months.
What you can charge is determined by your experience, reputation, and accomplishments and in a case like this, should also include guaranteed expectations. Just working with dogs over several years, is not the experience that is necessary to be a dog trainer. There are too many people who are putting that title to their name and fleecing the public. Don t be one of them.

Answer 8

hes not going crazy he probably has separation anxiety. lots of dogs have that especially puppy's. just try to give them something to forget your gone.

Answer 9

Your dog has some issues, the good news, the dog can be fixed. It will take time, rule setting, dedication, and consistancy. You must develop a calm state of mind for the dog. The dog does not go in the crate until he is in a calm submissive state. You are the pack leader... I don't have a lot of time, I'll post two links...Best of luck.

Answer 10

Well......most dogs need more and more attention than other dogs. What kind of dog is yours? If it's small it needs lots of attention. If it's huge, it can be independent.