posted 05-11-2003 10:41 AM           

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Hi everyone,
My 14 week old half dobermann, half rott. puppy has sever separtion anxiety. He throws a fit if he can't come to the bathroom with me. I want to start leaving him alone out of his crate but i am afraid he will chew everything in sight, even when i leave and someone else is with him, he just about goes through my screen door to get out to get to me.
I dont know how to start to break him of this behavior or what to do. Help!

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Posts: 480
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 05-11-2003 12:43 PM         

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First of all I would recommend getting the book The Dog Who Loved Too Much by Dr Nicholas Dodman. It is a great book. Secondly, I would continue to crate your dog while you are gone. Eventually a crate becomes a safe zone if it hasnt already. Leave a shirt that you have worn but havent washed yet in with your pup when you leave. You can try leaving a toy in there like a kong with peanut butter in it. However, in most cases of actual separation anxiety the dog wont touch toys, food, or water while you are gone. The best way to conquer separation anxiety on a long term basis is to start leaving your house literally seconds at a time and working up to hours. This is talked about in the book I mentioned along with some more drastic measures if this doesnt work. Bottome line your dog has to feel independent without you. And that is harder on you than it is on the dog to acclompish. That book is an excellent book so I would definitely suggest checking it out.

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posted 05-12-2003 08:14 PM           

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Good article on handling separation anxiety.http://www.doggiedoor.com/sepanx.shtml

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posted 05-12-2003 08:14 PM           

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http://www.doggiedoor.com/sepanx.shtml

sorry for the double post

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