Quote:
Originally Posted by kaydee
Our cocker spaniel had the same issue..ruined the door casing as well as the floor. We eventually put him in a crate when we left the house. He didn't like it but we knew he couldn't harm himself. The only other suggestion I may have is to talk to your vet and see about a mild medication. Just my opinion but I don't think this is a situation where you can break her of it. It's anxiety and she in panic mode. I do wish you luck.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JSR22
We had a dog that would not crate. He did not like to be in a small space. What worked was an x-pen. Larger space and no roof. He was completely happy in the pen.
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Actually there are two separate, but unfortunately inter-related issues that you need to address. JSR22 had a good suggestion about an open top pen as long as your dog won't jump over it. Your dog might be more amenable to it. Should you go the crate route, get one bigger than you really need so the dog has a bit more room than just standing up and turning around. We trained our dogs by putting them in a crate with an old blanket draped over it to make it seem more like a cave. We also stuffed "Kong" toys with treats (sometimes freezing them for variety) and left a radio on. When leaving for work, I would just tell them "crate" and they would run to their crates and get their rewards. We also left the crate doors open all of the time and would find the dogs sleeping in the crate when they felt like napping.
One trainer we spoke with that helps the rescue group I volunteer with suggested a method that will take some time and commitment. He recommended leaving the dog for short periods of time with the radio on. For example, leave for 15 minutes-maybe take a walk, get the newspaper, etc. This process takes a while as the dog needs to understand that he/she is not being abandoned and that you will be right back. Over time you extend your "away" periods so that the dog begins to relate your going away with coming back. Also, do NOT make a big "fuss" when you leave or come back. The dog may become very exuberant and you don't want to "reward" the behavior by making the fuss. A "good boy" (or girl) should suffice. After getting home and settling in for a little bit, maybe reward your dog by taking him/her for a walk or a ride, this way the dog will hopefully associate your leaving as a natural occurrence and not that he/she is being abandoned. Unfortunately this is a "stick to your guns" type of behavior training because it may not appear to be working, but you might find that after you have built up the time away a little, when you leave and come back quicker than the current time goal, you might begin to see a behavior change.
The short of it is that confining your dog to a controlled area may be your only "win" if you can't change the separation anxiety (and either the open top pen suggested by JSR22 or a larger crate might be the best way). You may want to put down a washable pillow, or an old blanket that you can switch out within the pen/crate in case the dog drools from the anxiety. I would not recommend trying to put up plastic on the door as your dog could turn to other things due to his/her fear.
Good luck and hopefully it will work out positively for you and your little friend.