How do I treat moderate/extreme separation anxiety in a 9mo old puppy?

Question

I have a 6.2lb, 9 month old Silky Terrier puppy named Rocsi. She's very well trained - sits, stays, rolls over, and comes when called (usually). She's a happy, smart dog - but craves attention ALL THE TIME.

She cries when she thinks you're going to leave or just not looking @ her, & when crated, she chews on the bars, shakes them with her teeth, shakes & pants endlessly. She won't even sit or lie down and usually urinates w/in the first ten minutes of being alone (although she's housetrained).

We've tried everything to break her of this insecurity. We've done several weeks of training (reduced attention prior to departures & arrivals, reduced attention during daily activities - except when she follows a command; regular walks to prevent pent up energy, getting keys, shoes, & coat but sitting down so to desensitize her to our pattern of behavior for leaving, & even vet prescribed meds to calm while we train her) & nothing seems to correct her behavior.

What do I do?

Thanks so far to everyone. So far I have done everything you have said (and have been before) but she is a very persistent little dog. In reference to an answer I've recieved, I would like to leave her un-crated, but she pees out of stress...at least in the crate is 75% successful at holding it in; instinct overrides stress, I guess. I'm reading Cesar Milan's book now and will certainly consider another dog when I have the room for one (our apartment is not very big). Hopefully she will calm down as she gets older too. I have also learned that her breed is a very dominant one, and that it will be a struggle to become the alpha dog in our home. but I'm more than willing to keep working. No dog is a lost cause.

Answer 1

She needs exercise and another dog with which to form a pack. It would really help you to get another, older dog for her.

Answer 2

I don't think that your puppy should be crated if she is so well trained. Once a dog knows where to urinate/excrete and what is a chewing toy and what is furniture then the crate needs to go. trust your little girl, next time you go out, just get ready and let her watch you and follow you from bathroom to bedroom etc, tell her once or twice that you have to go to work etc. Once you are ready to leave grab your keys, bag etc and a doggie treat, bring the puppy to where she is to stay for the day with the aid of the treat, say goodbye and leave. On your return place your bag and keys down on the counter, check your mail and messages, (ignoring baby) open your yard door and step out, once outside after you have done your bits and bobs greet her, she has to learn that she is not the bee all and end all to your life (although she probably is !) she will soon learn that your daily routine doesn't include her until a certain time and at your discretion not hers.

Answer 3

Put her in the normal routine that you take her when your about to leave. Before you leave put little snacks around the house (if u leave her out of the kennel)or u could put snacks in the kennel wiht her. You could also go to the petstore and get those chew toys that u can put treats in but dont come out easily unless your holding i tthe right way. it'll keep your dog busy. After shes in there leave for about 3 min. or somehting and then come back in, let her out and praise her alot. After she gets use to 3 min. extend it untill she gets use to that then extend it again. Then shell be able to stay as long as she needs to in there. THis will teach her that your going to always come back. When shes in there u can leave the tv or radio on so that there noise to comfort her. And with the urinating problem line the kennel wiht newspaper or those blue accident mats that you can get at the pet store so that will absorb some of it so it wont get all over her. The peeing problem is probably jsut because shes scares same with the panting and shaking, and it will stop when she learns that u will becoming back. And when she bites the cage you can have a squirt bottle with water and when she bites it you can spray her. What you could also do is put her in the kennel and then just sit next to her (but outside the kennel) and just talk to her and tell her sit and lie down. When she does praise her and slip her a treat threw the door. Depending on the size of the cage u can even get in there with her and just hold her wile your in there. Thats what i did with my pups.But i had a big kennel because one is a choc. lab and the other is a choc. lab/rotti. mix.
Hope This Helps and Good Luck!!!!!

Answer 4

I work at a dog daycare and we have a lot of customers with this problem. So maybe taking your puppy to a daycare would help (if you work during the day, or just for whenever you leave). But it can be expensive, and there might not be one in your area.

Another idea would be to leave for a short amoung of time, like several minutes, and then come right back. Do it until the puppy realizes that you will be back and it is nothing to worry about. Then extend the time to a little while longer etc. It will take a lot of time and patience, but several dog owners have done this succesfully. It might work and it might not, but it is hard.

Answer 5

Leave soft music on when you are not at home.I went through walmart the other day they even sell tapes in the pet department for such thing.They are cd's and they are for separation anxiety.I live in Canada and they are 7.99 each.They have them for dogs and cats. Just leaving the tv on will help.Any noise .Also try to give him a stuffed animal some of them will use it for mothering.Hope I helped you just a little.