how do i prevent separation anxiety from my dog?

Question

i have a female 7 mon old chihuahua and she stays in her kennel for 6 hours because i have school and i get out at 2:00,and im with her for the rest of the day,then i let her out of her kennel and walk her but eveytime she sees a family memeber of mine she jumps up is that a sign and she is also chewing on things and scratching my carpet.what do i need to do there is no one to take care of her for six hours.and how do i make my chihuahua stop taking my potted plants outside she started to pull the plants out

Answer 1

This doesn't sound like separation anxiety, it just sounds like regular old puppy behavior.

For the chewing and scratching, I highly recommend using a crate or baby gates to keep her restricted to "safe" areas when you can not be present to watch her. We don't let small children have the run of the house with access to the fireplace and knife drawer in the kitchen; similarly, young dogs should be given access only to that which they are mature enough to handle. This is the same answer for the potted plants -- if your pup is doing things inappropriately with the plants, take some newspaper, roll it up, and bop yourself on the head with it for letting her have access to the plants (sorry, old training joke). If she scratches and chews things right in front of you, have a toy, or several toys, ready and handy to redirect all of that puppy energy into something more appropriate. If this means keeping her on a leash while she's out of the kennel, then so be it. Practice makes perfect, and the more she gets to practice chewing and scratching and plant-dragging, the better she'll get at it!

To stop the jumping on family members, practice Sit. It's hard for a dog (or even for us) to learn to Not do something, so make sure you give her something very specific to do *instead of* jumping. Make sure that you always reward her when she does the right thing. Don't allow anyone to talk to her or pet her until she is sitting... this requires a lot of cooperation from your family members and friends. You may need to keep her on leash at the beginning while you practice this.

Answer 2

She's young and there is a certain amount of the chewing that is teething. She probably would benefit from having some toys in her kennel that would keep her occupied, ask at the pet store, they have a lot of good ideas. If you have a couple old socks that you could tie in a knot and give her, she would find that comforting, and she can chew on them as well. It sounds like you are doing everything right, just keep it up; lucky little dog.

Answer 3

Try to condition her on the weekends. Put her in her kennel for a few minutes and walk inot another room. Start increasing the time and before you know it she should be fine. make sure though that she has plenty of toys to play with and food and water in her kennel.

You can look on Animal Planet and go to the Good Dog U section and they have some more tips.

Answer 4

your in luck i have a 10 month old chihuahua and she used to be like that it is just a stage try letting her out in a laundry room or a spare room maybe even a garage try to leave lots of toys or treats sso she will be distracted from having you be gone. try playing with her or letting her out as soon as you get home. she will soon get better and soon forget about you when your at school. If any of this doesn't work try getting another animal to keep her company.

Answer 5

Well, shes still so little,
i think that theres a chance that she will get over it, make sure she has lots of time out of that kennel, and maybe try and give her a special blanket, or a toy while shes in there..
Good luck, don't give up on her..

Answer 6

Use doggie gates to keep her in one room. Give her plenty of toys and treats to keep her busy while you're gone.

Answer 7

puppies play with stuf they are teething Give her something to chew on a rag something old shoe.something that smells liek you.

Answer 8

watch the dog whisperer.

Answer 9

spend more time with her