Hi I have just adopted a 9 month old baby boy doggie from RSPCA 2 months ago.?

Question

He is suffering from extreme seperation anxiety when I try to go out (even just to shop and back). My vet has recommended a Crate/Cage to leave him in. Can anyone advise me if this has worked for them as I am worried it might distress him more, although it would stop the destructive behaviour. Thanks alot x

This is the 1st time I have used this service and I want to thank everyone so much for taking the time to help me. My faith in the human race has been restored. Thankyou so much for all your advice xx

Answer 1

Yea, this is a good idea, a puppy needs to feel somewhere safe, where they can go to when they are scared (like thier bed/basket) or in this instance a crate.
What I (and 1 or 2 friends of mine did when they got a puppy) was get a childs stair gate and put it across the kitchen door and left him in the kitchen (don't close the kitchen door mind) with thier cosy blanket and toys. I suppose you could call the kitchen, his crate, therefore his place of safty which he would retrete to and even to this day, sleeps of an even.
It also stops them destroying the house and peeing everywhere.

Try the kennel club website for some tips or get a puppy training booklet which should ahve tranning details in, or try this vets web site which also has puppy training tips on it.

Answer 2

I also have a rescue dog ! He has never been crated, despite the fact that he is a collie X with a Springer spaniel and is very dependent. If I go for short trips he comes with me either on the lead or in the car, then sits outside the shop or I leave him in the car. For longer periods of leaving him I turn the radio on and make sure he has had a good walk and is sufficiently exercised before I go out. He has never destroyed anything and has never soiled the house. Give him the freedom of those rooms you want him to go into and make sure he has enough safe toys whilst you are out. Reward him when you get back home, either with a dog biscuit or another short walk. Make time to take him to puppy classes !!!! this will help too. Good Luck !

Answer 3

My dog was the exact same way when I adaopted him. He was 10 months old (born at the shelter). I ended up having to crate him when I was away or he would detroy anything he could find of mine leaving his things alone. He had ruined my furniture. I had to do this until he was about 5 yrs old. He has not been in a crate now for three years. It was a little hectic when I returned home though after being crated, but it didn't stress him out. It depends on what the dog is doing or getting into. His destructive behavior could cause him to get into something that could make him sick.

Answer 4

A crate or indoor kennel is a very good idea. It should be your dog's place and you should only go in it to clean it out. You should start by putting him in when you're present, for short periods. DO NOT respond to any barking in any way.Completely ignore him if he fusses; dogs still see negative attention, like shouting shut up, as attention so assiciate barking with getting attention. When he's quiet, & has been for 5 minutes, you can let him out & give loads of praise. Build this up gradually and tell him "Bed" every time. You will find he will eventually see this as his secure place and stress levels should reduce. Don't over fuss him when you return home, just calmly let him out. Remember, dogs don't think like us. There are several good books which can help with general and behavioural problems. Anything by Roger Mugford is worth reading; he's a genius with dogs. Hope this helps. Good luck x

Answer 5

A crate would provide the dog with a safe space of his own, he'll feel more like it's his den, and most likely will just sleep. Crate training isn't cruel, and I'd rather have a dog locked in a crate while I was gone rather than have one running about and chewing on dangerous things out of boredom (power cords, etc.). I give my dog toys and water in his crate (a dog water bottle with a crock below to catch any drips). Granted my dog is pretty lazy and sleeps whether he's in or out of his crate, I think a crate works wonderfully.

Answer 6

Hiya iloverolo,
Crate training is highly recommend, you can have your pup in it at the side of your chair, make sure he can see you at all angles, take the create to bedroom and let hin sleep in the room with you, sounds like your little lov needs allot of attention, give it him, get him out the cage and play, then put him back in, in the end it will be his home his security, he will learn to love that pet crate, go on the Internet and look up crate training your dog, i did, it was the best thing i have Ever bought any of my dogs, now they all have there own.... :-)

Answer 7

What you need to remember is that dogs as wild animals live typicallyin a "den" and while this is a new thing to your puppy if introduced properly the dog will begin to view the crat as his/her house.the key to introduction is bribery. Give your dog a treat to go inside but don't shut the door and get the dog used to the idea that the crate is his and he should feel safe inside then start closing the door while reasuringhim that heis o.k eventually foing into the crate will be no big deal.

Answer 8

this is an alternate method rather than using the crate:
"If your dog is already experiencing separation anxiety, then gradually accustom him to your leaving. Practice leaving and returning several times a day until he gets used to your departures and realizes that you are not abandoning him forever. Gradually leave for longer and longer periods of time, but start out by leaving for just 5 minutes and returning again."
when you depart and come back, try not to make it very eventful. you don't want to over excite your dog or make a big deal that you came home.
goodluck!

Answer 9

you could try to crate him but a dog with seperation anxiety is likely to go into deep depression if you leave him locked up in a cage. It is hard to help a dog with seperation anxiety other than getting him a play mate. I have 3 dogs, seperately they suffer from seperation anxiety but as long as all three of them are together they are fine.

Answer 10

dogs need to have a place to call their own... I highly suggest crate training the dog. He will feel safe in the cage once trained. You can leave toys in the cage for him to play with and chew. You can also leave him a piece of clothing that you have had on you (like a t-shirt or something) so he can have the scent of you when you are gone.
Good luck!