I've started to leave my dog, for a short while at a time, to get her used to being alone but...?

Question

the last couple of times i've left her she's chewed the door frame. Literally eaten the wood and chewed it to bits! I always leave her fresh water, toys, her bed, and a ball filled with treats to keep her occupied. How do i stop her eating her way through the woodwork? And please don't suggest crate training, it's not an option.she's 10 months old.

I didn't say i was against crate training, i said it wasn't an option.

Answer 1

How do you act around the dog when you are home? If you spend every minute with the dog when you are at home, it could explain the separation anxiety. The dog is going from super-loved to being completely alone. Try to be a little more detached from the dog when you are at home, so it won't be such a shock when you are away. You don't have to constantly pet the dog and show it affection every minute while you are at home. Get the dog adjusted to being quiet and calm while you are at home. Give it a little affection and then go read a book or something, and make the dog sit down and relax.

Also, when you do return home, don't go crazy over the dog. Show it affection but don't go overboard. If you are too affectionate when you return home, and then the dog is left alone when you leave the house, this will cause anxiety.

Answer 2

All our dogs are crate trained, and do well with it. If it is a room issue and you don't have the space for a crate they do have crates that are in these like end table like boxes. When not in use the front door is shut and it looks just like a end table. When in use you leave the front door open and the crate can be seen (also so you dog can get air). Other wise you may just have to deal with things getting chewed up. I'v tried sprays, they didn't help here. Taking your dog on a long walk may help if you can do that. Just so you know, there is nothing wrong or hurtfull about crate training as long as it is done correctly and the dog isn't left in it all the time. :) Good Luck!

Answer 3

You really need to see a behaviorist. From the few details you've given, it sounds like separation anxiety. If it is there are medications that you can get that will help her not be so afraid, while you work on behavior modification.

It could also be regular puppy chewing, that can last for a while, and it can become a habit also. There is a Kong dispenser out now, where you can stuff a few Kongs to dispense over the course of a day, so you can give fresh filled kongs to occupy her longer.

Filling one with a mix of foods and then topping it with broth and freezing it will also extend its interest. You have to make it rewarding enough for her to keep at it though, if it's too hard off the bat, a lot of dogs won't even try.

Of course if it's not separation anxiety, crating her would be best, but if you can't, well you can't.

good luck

Answer 4

Please read this all the way through. Don't stop reading because I am going to try to convince you that crate training is the BEST and ONLY option.

I thought it was cruel too at first. I adopted a dog who was two years old. She would destroy everything every time I left. I am talking about dumping a trash can or eating a chair leg when I went out to check the mail! I figure if you leave your books on the floor and the dog eats them, that is YOUR fault, but when the dog goes to the shelf pulls books off and then eats them the dog has BAD separation anxiety. I called experts, (real ones, not Yahoo answers people) and animal behaviorists, vets and shelter staff. EVERYONE said crate train her.

In three days all I had to do was tap the top of the crate and tell he it was time, she would go right in. After two months I could let her be out for a whole day and not have her destroy anything, after six months she could go two or three days without reverting. Now she doesn't need the crate at all to feel secure.

But what made me feel totally in favor of crate training is this:
One day she jumped onto my lap at exactly the same moment I extended the foot rest on the recliner. Her toe got pinched and it hurt terribly. She screamed and wet herself until I could free her. As soon as I had her free she ran immedaitely to her crate and quaked until she could calm down. She ran TO THE CRATE, not to me who she worshipped. After that I knew that she actually felt comfortable and protected in the crate.

Crate training is really the way to go for separation anxiety.

Is it less cruel to leave your poor dog nervous and worried into a state all day than it is to allow her the comfort of a secure and safe place to sleep while you are gone?

And lastly if you think a crate is cruel and won't use it, think about this: If you can't stop her from destroying your house and belongings, what will you do? If you are honest with yourself you will know that you will take her to the pound or the shelter "for her own good, so she can find a home where she doesn't have to be stressed." Once there, who will adopt your destructive dog? I'll tell you. No one. Is it better for the dog to take her someplace where she might be killed or live life in the cage YOU DON"T WANT TO TRY because you think it's cruel? And what makes you so sure it's cruel when all the experts sayit is a PROVEN method for controlling this unwanted and dangerous behavior? Don't believe me? Ask any vet.

I know you don't want to hear it, but crate training is the way to go. If you LOVE your dog, you'll heed the advice. Please buy a crate.

If you are still not convinced, try a scientific experiment. Borrow a crate from a friend and try it for a week. Make it as stress free as possible for your dog. Give it treats to go in for a few minutes at a time. When locked in the crate give her her VERY FAVORITE toy, and only let her play with it in the crate. Make crate time the time when she gets extra special treats. Feed her in her crate. If you try this, I guarantee you'll see improvement in your dog's appreciation of the crate and over time you'll see improvement in her separation anxiety. If you see tiny bits of improvement, then try it for a whole month. If after a month you still can't stand the crate idea, then give the crate back and try other options. Your dog will not hold a grudge over it.

But I'm telling you: you won't regret trying it.

Answer 5

Actually, it sounds like your dog has seperation anxiety, so it is a VERY BAD IDEA to crate train her because she can hurt herself in the crate.
That being said, you need to do the things you do when you leave, but not leave. Like get your keys, or go outside, but don't leave. Sit down on the couch. Walk around the yard and come back in, anything that will disrupt her assumption that you are leaving

Also, don't give her attention before you leave, this can make the seperation seem worse. If you pet her and tell her you love all sweet and then leave, you are re-enforcing her behavior. When you leave, if she can see you, say in a stern voice something that will let her know you will be back. It can be anything, but if you use a firm voice she will know who needs to worry about who. She is worried about you when you leave. So let her know you are in charge. If you use the same phrase everyday, she will know that you always come back when you do, and soon she will not get so upset. You can also sleep with one of her stuffed toys so that it smells like you, then give it to her, so that she can "baby" it while you are gone.

As for the wood, put some water on it to get it slightly damp, then some cayenne powder (just a little) she will only bite it once and then be done. Encourage her to use her toys also. Good luck. We have a dog with similar problems, but she is getting better all the time.

Answer 6

And why is crating not an option? Seems like the only reason it wouldn't be an option is if you're against it.

Also, have her evaluated for Seperation Anxiety. SA often is expressed by the dog focusing a lot of destruction on the doors and windows, in an attempt to follow you. SA is a psychological disorder affecting about 3% of dogs. There are several ways to manage it which a veterinarian and/or a behaviorist can talk to you about. Most of the mangement techniques focus on your entering/leaving behavior and making the dog feel more confident and independent. A crate can sometimes be a part of this process (some will recommend an SA dog not be crated lest she injure herself in an attempt to get out of the crate and follow you, but I say give it a try and see). Our SA dog basically was weaned off of a dependence on us by weaning him on to his crate as a source of safety and security.

Answer 7

If you won't crate train her, then my suggestion would be to take her for a really long walk to tire her out before you leave. Then what you'll need to do is just pretend to leave, then come in and see what she's doing. If she's been good, give her lots and lots of praise. If you catch her chewing, you need to very firmly tell her no. If you do this several times, it may help. You might also try spraying bitter apple where she chews or else put tabasco or something similar on the door frame.

Answer 8

you won't crate train her, then my suggestion would be to take her for a really long walk to tire her out before you leave. Then what you'll need to do is just pretend to leave, then come in and see what she's doing. If she's been good, give her lots and lots of praise. If you catch her chewing, you need to very firmly tell her no. If you do this several times, it may help. You might also try spraying bitter apple where she chews or else put tabasco or something similar on the door frame

Answer 9

You can crate train a dog at any age and 10 months is still very young.
It would be the safest option for her and your household.
If not pick one room and remove all the things you can that she can chew and put her there when you are gone.
If she is eating the wood work she will most likely trash the room but at lest it would only be one room.
I really would recommend a crate as she would not be getting into and eating things that could harm her.

Answer 10

If crate training in not an option (which it does work...we've crate trained our dogs for years) then you might just want to get her a friend...another dog. We have raised boxers and they are very social dogs who do not like being left alone. We had a young male who would go crazy if left alone for only 15 minutes. The Vet recommended tranquilizers (yeah, right) which only made him sleep alot when we got back. The solution ended up being getting another dog as a campanion.