Rescued Lhasa Apsa DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!?

Question

He's a sweet dog, was obviously abused because of his actions. Hides when voices are raised, scared to death of men specifically, shakes like a leaf and hides when new people are introduced, etc... He's a great dog other than these problems: When I leave, it's like he gets angry and poos and pees on everything he can although he's been walked and done all his business - I mean I can be gone 5 minutes and he's already hit 2 rugs - and then he likes to scratch and tear the rugs up and trim when I leave. It's like he has this anxiety of being left alone. I'm always coming back - but how do I keep him from doing these things?? I've tried to kenel him, but I live in an apartment and the neighbors complain because he barks and cries the whole time I'm gone. He's six years old - is he set in his ways? He's a sweatheart, I'd hate to see him go, but I can't deal with washing rugs and replacing them and trim and anything he can get to everytime I have to go out! Please help!

Answer 1

adios mop dog

LMAO

Answer 2

A crate is the best way to go. Try putting him in it while you're home and in the same room, and give him treats to eat inside the crate. Start with small periods of time, 5 or 10 minutes, and see if you can work him up to 1 hour. If that works, put him in the crate, give him his treat, and go out the front door. Stand by the door so you can hear if he cries or not.
Also, be sure the crate is appropriate: Preferably hard-sided, not the open wire kind. Make sure he can stand up, sit down, and turn around comfortably, but make it no larger than that. Put a soft bed inside, and maybe a hard marrow bone or something else he can gnaw without being able to eat it- no toys, no rawhide, no ropes, etc. If you'll be home in a few hours, he doesn't need water; if you'll be gone for quite a while use a dog water bottle- he'll just knock over a bowl and get himself wet. Don't put any food in the crate, that will just cause him to poop.

If you just can't win the crate battle, try getting baby gates and gating him in the kitchen or any other tile-floor area with a small bowl of water (no food while you're gone, that'll make pooping worse), a safe toy or bone, a blanket, and a puppy training pads. Adult dogs have been known to use these too, as they are treated with a scent to make them appealing to poop on. See if you can get him to stay there without crying or barking.

If worse comes to worse, you may have to invest in doggie day care. There are small local daycares everywhere, and places like Petsmart have in-store daycares that offer all day care for reasonable rates.

Also, if you're not already doing so, try to get him into a steady routine of meals and bathroom breaks. Give him a measured amount of food in the morning, wait 20 minutes or so, and give him a potty break. Take away any food he doesn't eat in 1 hour. Give him 2-3 more breaks during the afternoon, and then give him dinner the same way. Always do a potty break first thing in the morning and last thing at night. This will help him know when he's supposed to poop and pee and he won't be as likely to do it at other times.

Answer 3

He's not doing it because he is angry when you leave, it sounds like he has seperation anxiety. My rescue dog used to do this too. I found gating her in a small area (like the kitchen) and leaving a radio or t.v. on for her when I left really helped as well. I also noticed that if I didn't make a big deal when I left but just casually said by and handed her a chew toy (a stuffed Kong, or a treat ball) and then just left that she would behave better as well.

I also did what is stated in the following article and it really helped my dog, I left my video camera on so that I could see exactly what she did when she was alone:


Separation anxiety:

A dog is a social animal. It wants to be with the family and being alone is not an entirely natural situation. Some dogs can not adjust to this situation without help. As a puppy, a dog learns that making sounds brings its mother to it. So barking, whining and crying are natural reactions when the dog wants to be reunited with its family. It may also consider digging, scratching at the door or window and other behavior designed to allow it to escape the house and rejoin its family to be "normal". Dogs may become so anxious that they tear up objects indiscriminately, defecate or urinate without control. If a dog is punished for these actions, the resulting increase in anxiety can make the whole situation worse. It is best just to ignore the destruction if at all possible. In order to treat the disorder, it is necessary to set aside some time to figure out exactly what is happening and to help your dog adjust to separation.

1) The first thing you need to do is spy on your dog to figure out how long he or she waits before tearing up stuff in your absence. Some dogs literally start in one minute or less. Others wait a half hour or an hour or whatever. Once you have an idea of this you can work on the problem. It is also necessary to teach your dog at least to "sit" and hopefully to "stay" prior to working on the actual behavioral problem.

2) Leave for short periods and come right back -- sometimes all you can do is stand outside the door for a few seconds. Don't stay away long enough for your dog to get upset. The idea is to lengthen the time gradually. It may help to vary the time some so your dog can't keep track of a "routine". Keep this up until your dog is comfortable with you gone for a reasonable length of time. Don't make a big deal over coming back in -- it is best to greet the dog quietly or ignore it.

3) Once your dog can tolerate you being gone for an hour or two, it will probably be possible to make the jump to longer durations without much problem.

A good booklet on this problem, "The Dog That Cannot Be Left Alone" by Victoria Voith, DVM, is distributed by Cycle. Your vet can get this booklet and others, by writing the Cycle Pet Care Center, P.O. Box 9001, Chicago, Il 60604-9001. It is not necessary that your vet sell Cycle foods-we do not. I am not sure the address is still valid -- hopefully it is.

Mike Richards, DVM

Answer 4

A rescue dog needs a lot of patience. They have been through things we do not know about. He could have been abandoned and that is why he acts this way. It does sound like a bad case of separation anxiety. I also have a rescue and she is wonderful now. I told the vet about all the things we were going through and I very reluctantly put her on meds. It was the best thing I ever did. She did a lot of the things you mention but to a much greater extent. I would also try to crate him when I was home. Start with small amounts of time, 5 minutes and work up a few minutes at a time. Eventually he will learn that this is a safe place and not a punishment. They do take a lot of time and patience but it is well worth it. You will have a friend for life that asks nothing of you but to be fed and loved. Please hang in there and best of luck.

Answer 5

There is a great book, "The Rescued Dog" (can't remember the author, sorry), amoung others that will be of assistance to you. This is a large issue that needs more information than can be typed here.
Consider obedience training. Petsmart has a great program and they will work on your specific problems. Its a great way to learn to train your dog without going even more crazy.
Consider penning him up when you leave. If not in a crate, maybe a bathroom. Easy cleanup, and not too much he can destroy.
This is a matter of socialization and training. It can probably be fixed with time. You need to meet more people, not less. Have folks over and give treats. Go on walks and have strangers talk to him. Praise bravery and ignore everything else.
Be patient and consistent. He will come around.

Answer 6

This dog is extremely traumatized and when you leave the dog is so scared that is does not know what to do - until you have bonded much more closely with this dog I would suggest that you get a baby pack where you can place the dog in this pack and literally carry him around with you - like a back pack only the dog is sitting on your chest - in front of you - or get s small carry bag and just bring him with you and then once the dog is bonded with you and feels super safe with you - they you can start working with a behaviorist and you can start leaving the dog alone in one room for like 1 minute and then coming right back - you have to start stowly - and this dog may never be OK when it is alone, however you can start to make the dog feel OK and safe to be in a crate when with you - even if you bring the dog to work - as long as he is in his crate and sitting right next to you =- he won't cray or make potty - he just does not want to be alone - he was probably abused and abandoned - these dogs both the Shih-Tzu's and the Lhasa Apsa's can actually make themselves ill to the point of death if they get too scared. He can be saved but it will take patience and love and companionship - pick up a dog carrier that you can carry around with you all the time and bed that he can sleep in and a front pouch that you can carry him around with you in - all of these things will help to soothe him while you will be socializing him and causing him to loose his fears by always being out and about - he is so small that you should not have a problem keeping him with you.

Answer 7

He is not angry, he is a dog that has never been socialized and trained properly. He sounds very stressed and confused. You need to develop a routine with him, including a lot of positive attention. Confine him to the kitchen or bathroom, and give him a bed to sleep in and papers to pee on when you are gone. When you are home, take him out often and encourage him to go in the same spot outside, and praise him a lot afterward. Go for walks to exercise him and use up some energy. Give him a variety of safe chew toys. It is not impossible to train him, but he's had 6 years to develop poor habits, and it's going to take time and patience to work with him. It's not too late, but it's going to take some hard work on your part. You might consider contacting a behavior specialist to work with you and the dog.

Answer 8

I have a two year old Lhasa and I am afraid he does kinda the same things. They love attention and will do everything to get it. I have a pad for potty training which he uses regularly, but not always. He destroys my favorite shoes like if he knew they were my favorites, cries, and barks for your attention constantly, but at the same time he gives us so much love that I couldn't give him up. His behavior really improved when we started giving him treats as rewards and cheered him up. Try that and see! Good luck!

Answer 9

apparently he has been abused by previous owners, it will take time and alot of patience to get him to trust anyone.you need to take the time to show him you are not the enemy. when you leave,confine him to an area with a gate, and one rug. put paper down at the other side.when he is being obnoxious, he knows this will get your attention when you come home. he needs some love and training.and also he needs to get out of being set in his own ways.

Answer 10

i'm not a vet, yet I had a lhasa apso for 15 years until eventually she presently exceeded. while she grew to become into under pressure or disappointed, she might pee interior the abode. It grew to become into her way of showing us she grew to become into unhappy with the present difficulty. each and every each and every now and then canines could desire to be spiteful. they could think of your grandfather left them and now they're being spiteful. i don't be responsive to for specific if my answer is real, i'm only going via what my canines used to do. many circumstances while i might holiday for company, she might pee interior the abode. as quickly as i grew to become into abode, she grew to become into back to typical. sturdy success to you!

Answer 11

now u know why he needed rescueing