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Posted by Topic subject:   Separation Anxiety
RottyMommy

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Posts: 343
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-19-2003 11:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
My Rottie is almost 2 years old but I just got her a little over a month ago. She has separation anxiety. Does anyone out there have a dog that had separation anxiety andwere able to correct it? if so how? Or does anyone have any suggestions on how to help her. I dont want her to get all worried everytime I leave the house and I dont want her on medication to "fix" the problem and luckily my vet doesnt do that anyway. Any advice?

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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
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Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 02-20-2003 10:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
Do you keep her in a crate when you are gone.If you do,try putting and old t-shirt with you sent on it in there with her.My lead male is spoiled rotten and he suffers from this to..I have to crate him during the day..so I put a t-shirt in his crate along with his bone and stuffed animal.I leave the tv on for him and I but my answering machine right beside his crate.I call home a few times a day to talk to him and tell him I love him.He seems to be doing ok ... I hope I have been some help.

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RottyMommy

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From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-20-2003 11:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
I dont crate her she is even worse in there and she injures herself. I tried a room too and that didnt work either. She just goes nuts anytime she is in a confined space. The answering machine is a cute idea I'll have to try that. Anyone else having issues with separation anxiety?

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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
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Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 02-20-2003 12:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
Sense you can not crate her,then,if she has a favorit spot to sleep you could always leave a shirt there.She just needs something with you smell on it.

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shmoopie
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From:Vancouver, BC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 02-20-2003 02:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for shmoopie   Click Here to Email shmoopie     Edit/Delete Message
Medicine might actually benifit your situation. I have heard great stories of dogs with behavioral problems that were easily resolved because of the appropriate medication.

Seperation anxiety is serious in it's own way. Does she just bark and whine when you leave or is it so serious that she injures herslef after you've gone?

There are many ways to deal with this issue, but it would be best if you brought your dog in for a consultation with a behaviorist. Try to find someone who is exactly that... a behaviorist and one that knows the breed. It could be expensive, but all you will need is one visit and they will determine the cause of the problem and suggest a way for you to handle the problem. Also, you could go to the library and take out a book on dog behavior...the last book I had was awsome. Gave me great answers to a lot of problems and seperation anxiety was definatley a chapter of its own.

Good luck

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RottyMommy

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Posts: 343
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-20-2003 04:30 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
When I tried the crate and when i tried locking her in a room when i left she rammed the cage door or room door to the point that I came home to a bloody rottweiler so no more of that. Now when i first leave the house she jumps up on the door and the window beside the door and has shredded my shears there from her jumping which it doesnt bother me that she shredded them they were old I just dont want her doing it period. She does that the second after i shut the door. She also will not touch any of her toys I tried the kong with peanut butter and she wont touch it till after i get home. She gets inot other minor things. She has chewed on a cardboard box, pulled the trays out of my chinchilla habitat a few times (im gonna get some sort of clip to attach to the cage to avoid that), chewed open a package that came in the mail, stupid stuff like that but I know it could get worse, she also used to urinate in the house whenever I left but hasn't done that for like 3 weeks now so I dont know if that means she is getting better or not. I dont work right now which is part of the reason I got her now so I can work with her so the only time she is home alone is when we go out but I goout almost everyday. Im taking a cna course probably in another month or so and it is from 7-330 not including the drive it takes to get there but i want to be able to trust her home alone before i do that and i can wait as long as may to take it but would prefer to take it sooner but i want to make sure she is ok before i leave her alone for that long of a time period that is why im trying to get advise on it now. Thanks guys and keep the info coming you've given me good ideas.
Oh by the way what is the difference between a behaviorist and a trainer ive never heard of it I only know trainers around here?

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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
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Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 02-20-2003 05:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
A behaviorist know what makes the dogs have their problem and a trainer know how to fix them...Have you thought about getting some over the counter to calm her down?I use calm-x and it works pretty good.It takes very little and lasts about 2 hours.It gives them time to ajust to you being gone,and its not habit forming.I would give it to her an hour before I leave.That way she will be clam and then it will wear off in a couple of hours.I would do this for a couple of week then take her off and see how she does.

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RottyMommy

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Posts: 343
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-20-2003 05:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
Is that for people? Is it safe for her? I dont really want to use medications since it doesnt correct the problem but I will keep it in mind as a last resort. Or do you think its something that would be better to do now? How would I go about finding a behaviorist in my area? I dont have any issues spending money on her if it helps. I actually have a special account that is only used for my animals that way i always have money for them if something should ever happen to any of them.

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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
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Posts: 414
From:LOUISIANA,USA
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 02-20-2003 05:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
you can find the medication in just about any petstore.I order mine out of a magazine.no,its not for humans..it is for animals.As,for the behaviorist..lok in your phonebook or contact your local trainers to see if they know someone.

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shmoopie
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From:Vancouver, BC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 02-20-2003 05:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for shmoopie   Click Here to Email shmoopie     Edit/Delete Message
This dog thinks it is ALPHA.

Have you had previous experience with this type of breed before?

This problem will not be easily fixed. Your dog has a few issues. All problems within an animals need to be addressed asap and it takes weeks...months....years to correct an un wanted behavior. weeks..months...years all depends on how severley affected the dog is due to the experience.

Now - your dog understand you do not know how to comunicate with her. You MUST get involved in a basic obedience class right now. Do not leave your dog un attended EVER..until you know you can trust her. She does not like the crate...get working on it.
She has probably developed a fear of it from previous owner leaving her in there too long or she had no training at all.

Put the crate in a room you are mostly in. Leave the door open and put stuff in there she likes ie:food treats.
When she does go in (this could take weeks..or months) make it the happiest time of your life. Get down on your nees and pet her while she is in there. Do not close the door. Allow her to come in and out of the crate freely until she feels okay to go in there and have a little nap.

Never lock her in until you have spoken to somone about crate training or read a book on it....the library is very helpfull.

You remind me of me hehehe. I didn't know anything about communicating with my dog when I first got him, but thankfully to trainers, message boards like this one and books I have educated myself so I can now effectivley communicate with my dog, train my dog new tricks constantly, sometime we sit and litterally talk to eachother. I say one word and he'll bark another...we take our turns but it is actually really funny to watch.

The most important part of training is to always keep happy and to always take your time and be patient.

My dog is 4 years old and I picked him out the day I was born. It has taken me 4 years to achieve a respectable relationship with him. It's going to take that much longer for you since you rescued this dog and do not have the respect built yet.

I can not stress enouph that you need to start a basic obedience class right away.

Please do not think I am being harsh....just all stuff you need to know.

Cheers

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RottyMommy

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From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-20-2003 10:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
She is already in obedience classes. She is actually submissive towards me, which is unusual for Rotties. She is very dependent on me which I think is part of the problem. She follows me around whereever I go whatever room I am in she is in. She will even stop in the middle of eating to follow me downstairs. Should I break her of this if it is affecting her separation anxiety cuz I have read that it could. If so, how would I go about doing that? I dont want her thinking I am mad at her. To answer your other question I have never owned a rottie befor but have been reading about them off and on for a few years now. I have loved them ever since I was little and always wanted one. My 14 year old sheltie-lab mix was a rescue too but my fiance got her when she was still a puppy. Something just told me to go down to the shelter the day I saw her. I took her home exactly one month from the day she came in to the shelter. I know the temperament of the rottie breed and all the other stuff that goes along with that. But number one I got an abused rescue dog and number two she's a rottie. So I have a full grown rottie who acts like a 10 pound dog and has the fearfulness of I dont even know what. So now I have alot of work on my hands but I know we will get through it and she will be an amazing dog someday. Ill check out that rescue remedy. What stores carry it in your area? We have a problem with pet stores carrying alot of stuff around here cuz animal activists protest in front of stores about electrical devices and electric fencing and stuff like that so Im not sure if they will carry it or not if not Ill take a road trip to a store like an hour away if they have it or check it out online.

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RottyMommy

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From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-20-2003 10:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
Sorry I meant calm-x I was reading something about rescue remedy earlier.

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shmoopie
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From:Vancouver, BC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 02-21-2003 02:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for shmoopie   Click Here to Email shmoopie     Edit/Delete Message
Since you have a fearful dog, I would not suggest using any training methods that would cause physical pain to the dog. Electric fencing and shock collars do just that...hurt the dog. I am against using this technique as well.

Your story is very touching and inspiring to others. You are doing a great job keeping up on all the info and addressing all these problems right away.

As per the seperation anxiety.
I would suggest working on your "stay" command or a "park" command. Stay - dog must remain put in the spot you left him. Park - the dog can move around in a space the length of the leash (some dogs this is very hard to teach, my dog doesn't get it).
Then after you give the command to "stay" start with little steps. Move forward one step...wait a second.....go back...praise...give treat, don't forget to give a "break" command so she knows her "stay" command is over! If she moves forward with you speak in a low firm tone - this will be her correction since you should not use a choke chain to correct a fearful dog - and try again. Do not reward with a touch or treats if she doesn't do as you ask. Eventually you will be able to give her a "stay" command and leave the room without her freaking out. This takes plenty of time and patience to teach...especially with your situation...but just keep it happy and correct with your voice when she doesn't do as you ask right away.

Are you enjoying obedience class?

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RottyMommy

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From:Harrisburg,PA USA
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posted 02-21-2003 02:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
She is doing great with sit, down, settle(lays down and shifts to hip) but im having trouble with anything that involves her staying in one place. She will stay if the treat is right in front of her nose but as soon as i try to move away from her she comes with me and she doesnt seem to be getting the concept. Any suggestions? I love obedience class and so does she especially when she gets to go outside and play with them. There is a pitbull in the class and those two have become buddies as oon as we go outside they know they can play and that is exactly what they do. They are so funny. My dog trainer unfortunately answers all my question with put her in the crate. I realize the benefits of crating dogs but right now it is way to much stress on her to actually lock her in there and I dont want her to injure herself more than she already did. That is why I came to you guys. My trainer doesnt seem to realize that not every dog goes in there willingly and most of the people in the dog class have had there dogs for awhile. I don't know my trainer is good during class but she doesnt seem real personable to answering my question and giving me ideas or solutions. so, any suggestions on the stay?

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shmoopie
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From:Vancouver, BC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 02-21-2003 05:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for shmoopie   Click Here to Email shmoopie     Edit/Delete Message
Yep...move very slowly.

The hardest part of training is the time it takes. I've learned patience through my dog...sad isn't it.

Tell her "stay"....move one foot forward...praise her if she stays in her spot. Go back.....tell her "stay"....move one foot forward....praise her again....then break and play with a ball or something she really likes so you don't over do the training and or frustrate the dog. You should practice this 3-4 times a day for only few moments each time. Never work on a command for like 1/2 hour...this will bore your dog and make it feel as though it is being punished. Only small amounts of time 4-5 times a day. On the first time she gets it right...I wouldn't give her the command again, instead tell her good girl and make it sooooooo happy....this will make her feel good, then you can come back to it in like 10 minutes.

So far I am not very impressed with your trainer. You should seek some advise from a different trainer...probably one that helps rehabilitate abused dogs. Pit Princess should have some good advise...she's got ten Pit Bulls that sound to have an assortment of personailities And I believe she takes in abused ones...so she is great to talk with regarding your problems. You dog sounds like she is taking a shining to you. Be patient and everything will work out, but yes practice her stay command. Actually...when you tell her sit, does she get up and move if you do?

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PITBULL_PRINCESS1979
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From:LOUISIANA,USA
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posted 02-21-2003 06:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for PITBULL_PRINCESS1979     Edit/Delete Message
All my dogs act different.My first 3 dog picked up on everything really fast.My next 2 did pretty good.My other 2 did not want to mind at first,but are doing great no.My 3 youngest are really great.The key is I still work with all of them on a daily basis.
I have taken in a few abused pitbull.It can be very trying at times becuase you have to watch you voice and can not make any quick moves.(that goes with any abused animal)
Sense her staying is such a problem I would first go through a few commands that she knows.Give her alot of praise when done right.Then try the stay command.Tell her to stay and take a couple of steps back.If she does it right give her praise and a treat.If not,make her try it again.After a few time she doesn't get it right,just stop and take a brake,but don't play.Come back a few hours later and try again.If she does it right then give her plenty of praise and maybe play on of her favorite game.

My dogs favorit game is find momma....

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RottyMommy

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From:Harrisburg,PA USA
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posted 02-21-2003 10:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
To schmoopie yes when i tell her to sit she will sit and then if i move away she will move with me.Its worse with the treats she will follow my hand so if i take a step back she takes a step towards me cuz that is where the treat is or she knows i am the one giving it to her. Ill keep trying hopefully she will eventually get it. The problem is right now she has no concept of what i am asking her to do. Ill have her sit and then try stay and if i back up she walks towards me and then sits. and i dont want to push her to hard cuz i dont want her to get frustrated.

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RottyMommy

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From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-28-2003 01:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
Just wanted to update everybody on the big baby. I leave a sweatshirt next to her whenever I leave now and she hasn't gotten into any trouble except for once. She still jumps up on the door but we are working on that and when I am outside and she can see me she doesnt do it. Its progress. And guess what I can now take TWO WHOLE STEPS away from her and she stays. yeahhhhh. I am so excited. I might sound stupid but I havent been able to take a step away from her with out her following me until this week. I am so excited. She finally got it. I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. It totally helped me out and made me feel I wasn't alone and that I really could do this. I realized that before I was pushing her to fast with stay and that's why she was moving with me and not getting it. As I said to the trainer last night. Its amazing what happens when the owner finally figures out what she is doing wrong. Hee Hee. Thanks again!

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shmoopie
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From:Vancouver, BC
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posted 02-28-2003 02:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for shmoopie   Click Here to Email shmoopie     Edit/Delete Message
Very happy to hear things are working out . The hardest part of training is not going tooo fast for the dog...I have a problem with that as well.....my dog is so smart I almost forgot he doesn't speak english....but he sure can read me like a book!

Important to let the dog know when she has done something wrong, but try not to make it a huge deal...just a little "no" or"wrong" and then try again. It is most important to correct verbaly AS the dog is doing it wrong...if you catch it after the fact, then she won't "get it".

Have you read the book "So your dog's not Lassie"? .....this is a great book that helped me understand more about dog communication and the Posted bys focuss on the bull breeds which are the hardest to train because they are Intelligent,Dominant and Indipendant...great insite to how one can train a dog just by looking at them...very informative for any breed!

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shmoopie
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From:Vancouver, BC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 02-28-2003 02:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for shmoopie   Click Here to Email shmoopie     Edit/Delete Message
As per the "sit" command. My trainer has me teach that "sit" means sit until I tell my dog the command is over; therefore, even though you move away from the dog, she should remain sitting until you give her the break command to tell her she doesn't have to sit anymore....I think this applies to all commands ie: down, sit, heel yada yada yada.

Anyways, So happy to hear of your progess

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RottyMommy

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From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-28-2003 08:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks I will have to check out that book it sounds interesting. I am all about learning anything I van about training and Rottweilers. Thanks to her I think I am in totally madly deeply in love with Rottweilers. I have loved this breed since I was little. I never had one before Abby though. My parents I think were afraid of them but if they were they arent anymore. I take her over there and she is their new granddaughter. My mother went out and bought her own toys and treats so she gets them whenever she goes over there. My mother asks more questions about her when she calls then she does me.Hee HEe! but thats ok. One thing is for sure whatever neglect she got before she is spoiled rotten now by everyone she comes in contact with. Anyways I started rembling. Thanks for the insight I will check out that book. You are definitely right about them being intelligent, dominant, and in her case just a little independent. But boy is she fun, inquisitive, and so so lovable. I really cant keep from giving her lovings sometimes. She is just so darn cute!

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Tucker
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posted 03-02-2003 01:52 PM           Edit/Delete Message
I saw that you were struggeling with separation anxiety and it sounds identical to what we're going through. Tucker is from the pound, we've had him since September and he hates to be left alone. He would destroy anything in the apt. so we got a crate and he started destroying everything in there. Next our neighbors brought it to our attention that he'd bark anytime we were gone. We stooped to a bark collar, it was our only hope. That has worked, but he is still too stressed to eat or drink until we come home. He's got treats, pb & kong, and toys, blankets, etc., but he doesn't seem to care. We do obedience and tricks all the time...please help.

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RottyMommy

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Posts: 343
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 03-02-2003 05:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
ok My rottie is definitely not cured of her separation anxiety yet but she has improved. I will sum up what advice has been given me. I believe you said your dog has had obedience so work with the stay until you can leave the room and out of sight. I can only take two steps so far with my dog she is so clingy. When you leave try leaving a shirt that you have worn but havent washed yet wit the dog, leave a light on and a tv or radio whatever you have on when you are home. Leaving the shirt has been a key for me. If i forget to put it down before I leave something will be destroyed when I come home. There is this stuff called rescue remedy you can get it at a health food store. It is all natural. It different flower essences that work as a calming agent. It has helped take some of the edge off my dog but it isnt a miracle worker. I like it because it isnt medication, it doesnt make her woozy,and it is all natural. You can try that too. This is key - when you leave ignore the dog for like 10 minutes before you leave then grab your coat and leave you can say Ill be right back. I say that as I walk out the door but I dont look at her to say it. Dont make any long goodbyes and dont make a big deal out of you leaving it will only make things worse. When you come home dont give her attention when you first come home, put your keys away, hang your coat up, get a drink, then give your dog attention. If she destoys anything while you are gone dont yell at her she doesnt understand why she is getting yelled at. If this is upsetting you crate her. I cant crate my dog right now but I just deal with it if you are not there to discipline when it happens you cant discipline later.Hope this helps and good luck

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