Is it possible for a dog to never get over separation anxiety?

Question

My Peke-Poo has separation anxiety from being locked in the garage and basically forgotten about by his previous owner. The classic case of cute as a tiny pup but got bigger than they wanted... in other words stupid humans! Anyway I've tried everything I can think of to cure this dog and nothing has worked. As soon as I go out the door he's howling like a banshee and when I come home he's pacing back and forth in his crate like a nutjob. He also pee's and poops in his crate despite the fact that I make him do his business several times before I leave. I ignore him until he calms down and then I let him out of the crate. I've tried leaving the light & the radio on but it doesn't seem to matter. I've even given him treats when he calms down but after a year his behavior has NOT improved! Is he just damaged for life or what?

Answer 1

This is a great reason not to use a crate, among all the other reasons. How would you like to be shut in a box for hours? He is going crazy with boredom and claustrophobia! By all means give him a kennel he can go into if he needs a refuge, but let him have the run of the house or backyard when you're out. Make sure he has food, water and toys to keep him occupied (kongs and puzzle cubes are good) while you're away. Don't make a fuss when you leave, or when you return - ignore his bad behaviour and when he gets no reaction to it, it will stop.

I'm sure you have the best of intentions but you are quite frankly treating him little better than his previous owners. And if it needs saying, there is no such thing as a peekpoo, he is a crossbreed or mutt like any other mutt and they all have the same needs.

Answer 2

Contrary to some people's opinion, most little dogs are NOT super nasty or stubborn but Pekes can be quite strong willed. It can take up to a full year or longer for a rehomed dog to adjust. It is very traumatic for any dog to lose one family and suddenly find itself with another.

You did not mention how long this dog is being left crated. While crate training can be a valuable tool, it can also be the ultimate punishment. If he is left for hours in a crate and then ignored when you come home, that is a real problem. You should think about confining him to the kitchen or bathroom where he has more room to move around. A dog that is taught to live in dirt, doesn't know any different. What he needs is an area where his sleeping space, food and water can be separated from his potty space. However, he should not be allowed to run loose in the house as he will only make a mess everywhere. Put down newspapers or wee wee pads for him and work with him when you are home. Encourage him to use the correct place and reward him whenever he goes where you want him to go. One correction should be followed by 100 praises!!

When you leave the house, make sure there is a light on and a radio or TV on. He may still howl but he will feel less alone just the same. Ignore the howling! He probably stops as soon as you are gone. However, when you get home, why do you ignore him then? That is the time to let him know that you missed him too! He needs you!

If you want to change his behavior, you must praise him to the skies when he does something - anything - right! He will then want to please you and that is how you change behaviors. Ignoring your dog will only reinforce the fact that nothing he does will ever get your attention or your approval. Then why should he even try?

I also recommend that you take him for some basic obedience training. It will build his confidence and you will learn some good techiniques for managing him. Pekes are a notoriously stubborn breed so you have a tough nut to crack there but it can be done. You might also want to talk to some Peke breeders and get their advice. Under no circumstances should physical punishment be used, however. Hope this helps a little. I know it can be frustrating trying to change bad upbringing but it can be done!

Answer 3

Consider perhaps that to him the crate is just another version of the garage and separation.

Does he know where his "home" is? I mean you know his home is with you but how can he know that if he is still locked away in the crate and away from anything else which speaks of his interaction with you.

My dogs have the run of the house when I leave, they sleep on the couch or on any clothes if we have left them on the floor. They have never been crated or banished to another room so they know where their home is.

I know I am talking about crating again but it does absolutly nothing for dog, is stressful for him and never allows him to feel that your home is his home.

So as my dog was a puppy we ran the risk of puddles if we couldnt be home soon enough and things like chewing or wrecking stuff are easily solved by giving them enough excercise and mental stimulation and addressing their teething pain when they begin to chew the wrong things as puppies.

Right now your dog needs to be assured that you arent going to leave him. You can assure him of this by moving out of sight for a moment then coming back. tell him what a good dog he is if he fusses.

Lengthen the time you are gone and continue to reward with love and praise. Yes, it will take some time since he has suffered emotional damage and you seem willing to do for him what he needs.

You can also keep him busy while youre gone by giving him a chewy filled with peanut butter or a biscuit or even spreading his kibbles around the kitchen floor.

There are dogs who love their crate because to them it is the safest place in the house. Of course they have been conditioned to feel that way and people have their own right to decide if that is how they want their dog to feel.

Clearly your dog isnt happy in the crate either if he is going potty in there. And denning up ALONE for a dog goes against their instinct---which is to be with their pack.

The thing that he feels safest about right now is you--which says a lot about your good relationship.

With time, love and understanding you can help your little friend immensely. I dont mean to be so long winded, I just want to help.

Answer 4

It does indeed depend on how long he's being left in the crate, and some dogs that were abused in the way your poor animal was don't take to crating too well. You can call a trainer to help you through it, but you can try leaving and coming back rather quickly, then slowly increasing the time you're gone. You're doing what you can, which is good, but there's a possibility that he won't get over it. Old dogs can learn new tricks - give him time and lots of love.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Beyond the fact that most little dogs are both super nasty (don't care if their kennel's are clean) and super stubborn, you may have a case of damaged goods. It's not his fault that he's terrified to be left alone, but he should be able to hold in his excriment until you come home. Are you leaving food and water in his crate with him? Because that would be the reason that he's doing his business inside...otherwise, I'd suggest not giving him food or water for and hour, to and hour and a half before you plan to leave (if it means not feeding him first thing in the morning, so be it). Beyond all that I'd say it sounds like he needs to be in a home where he'll always have someone home with him. Some dogs will be tramatized from certain events and never seem to get over it! Good luck because that's a bad situation all around!

Answer 6

I disagree with the ignoring part. I would/ have give/n gentle/calm affection (no kisses. Or sweet /baby talk, nothing to get the dog excited),. Just pats to console, and reduce anxiety level.
Have him checked for any medical issues first, regarding not holding his bowel and bladder. A full blood panel could reveal other reasons for this beahavior.
If all is well-
Do not him give food if he is going to be in a crate for a long period of time (2 to 4 hrs, or over night 8 to 9 hrs), and use a water bottle (not dish), so he is not getting a ton of water (that makes him have to get rid of it/pee).
You are talking a small dog here, I have toy poodles. Small (some) dogs may not be able to hold it for very long.

If he is going in his crate, this is a learned behavior (allowed bad habit) that needs to be re-trained.
He needs to – even if it takes 2 hrs or more (a good romp/and walk should get things moving –regarding bowels/bladder). He should not be allowed in his crate until he has done his duty. I have heard people say well, he/she just didn’t have to go. Well food and water goes in and it needs to come out, with in 45 mins, to 2 hrs, with activity, results will be seen.
Then as if you were training a young puppy, make sure he goes out to potty every 30 mins, build up to 2 hrs, then 3 hrs etc.. until he can hold, or gets the idea. Each time he goes you praise him (just like a puppy). If a mistake occurs, retract and go back to the right amount of time.

If an accident does occur “never” allow him to see you pick up his mess, this just reinforces in his mind, ok well it’s ok, mom will pick it up.

It’s possible that the dog was taught/ allowed to go in his crate as a puppy, or was taught to potty in his living space (this is not instinct/norm for any candid). I have had to deal with rescues like this before, and 1 dog I took back. (It’s not easy).

If this is too demanding or time consuming, then there are diapers. I know plenty of small dog owners that use them. But this does not house break a dog.

You are also dealing with anxiety issues (some of it could be biologically induced).

There are several different medications available.
Your vet can prescribe one that may help with training, possibly wean off the medication as the dog becomes more self assured that it’s ok to be alone sometimes, and that his human will return.

The training should make it easier on meds, because most likely his train of thought is so excited (not good excited, but overwhelmed), and it feels like to him the end of all things.

Most of all be patient, and understanding, don’t yell, or freak out, love him, pat him, even if he is not perfect.
What if it was you with the anxiety disorder, or panic, what would you need?

Answer 7

Not all dogs can get over separation anxiety. I had a Min Pin - she never got over it, no matter what I did or what I tried, she just didn't want to be left alone and when I did need to leave her, she was destructive.

I even went to 2 different behavior specialists, but with no luck. I had to do just what I had always done, which was put her in her crate when I needed to leave.

On a good note, I never punished her to her crate and many times I found her in her crate sleeping on her own. It became a safe and secure place for her and she loved her crate!
RIP

Answer 8

The poster calling itself lanagrl is abusive and has been reported. If your dog craps upstairs you should try training your dog not to crap upstairs. Its simple, try it sometime. Crating is lazy and that has nothing to do with Peta or any other woman.

I would never use a crate myself simply because Ive never needed to. Ive had many dogs over the years and have always housetrained them by taking them outside on the lead. When I go out they have always been left in the garden and the only damage Ive ever had has been a little lite digging which is no biggie. A dog can even be trained not to dig. Anyone else thinking of using a crate, dont even think about it - train your dog properly instead, it will pay dividends.

Answer 9

From my own experience, when we go on long trips we put our doxie in her crate, and other than stopping for potty breaks and gas, she does great!!,not a peep out of her, she sleeps the whole time
she also is placed in her crate at night with her blankets and some toys.......guess we are one of the more fortunate ones......
one side note, if there is a bad thunder storm, we play with her or hold her.... (I dont like thunder either!) i think this is true of a lot of dogs, and please no fireworks!!!!! bad for dogs ears and peoples too if you are too close!!!! we can hear the fireworks from Cedar Point all across the bay if the wind is blowing in the right direction!!!!!

Answer 10

I don't want to say that he is damaged for life but there is the extreme possibility that you may never be able to ease his seperation anxiety. You are a wonderful person for taking him in and you are wonderful for trying to help him with his anxiety. It sounds as if his is pretty severe and that you have not had much luck in trying to do this alone. I really would recommend that you contact a behaviorist to have him evaluated and see if there is anything that can be done to help him.