Member

Posts: 13
From:Cypress, TX, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-29-2003 10:12 AM         

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I have a 1 and a 1/2 year old JRT. He is a lovely happy housebroken, knows many tricks , is smart, and the best friend that anyone could ever have however there is one habit I have never been able to break him from and its driving us all crazy here. When we are all out of the house for extended periods he gets into something and drags it all over the house or makes some other disturbance sure to be noticed..examples(knocks over pencil containers, drags out newspapers from newspaper stand, knocks couch pillows all over the floor, jumps up on tables and knocks things over, always something you will notice. I tried putting as many things away as I can but there is always something he is able to upset while we are gone. I don't want to lock him down the basement or in another portion of the house since he is so good otherwise and I'm sure he would find something to get into despite what he does and it would be more dangerous to him

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Member

Posts: 106
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-29-2003 10:16 AM         

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well maybe you should think of getting another dog or maybe getting spray on the things you dont want him to touch or maybe just a simple babysitter.

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Member

Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 07-29-2003 10:23 AM         

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Many people think their dogs are being vengeful when doing stuff like this, punishing them for leaving him or her at home. Its more like separation anxiety. It sounds to me, from the list of things you stated he is doing, that he may be trying to see out windows or look for where you have gone. When you say for extended periods...how long is that? Is your dog kennel trained? An X-Pen in another idea that may work well with a small dog such as yours. You can set it up with his bed, food and water, a few toys and something that smells like his favorite family member to make him feel a bit more secure and at ease. A JRT is a dog that needs something to keep his mind busy, it's my understanding of this breed that they are not "couch potato" type dogs. If the current situation is not working, try something different.

[This message has been edited by Maisey (edited 07-29-2003).]

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Moderator

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

posted 07-29-2003 11:15 AM         

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As someone who is very experienced with separation anxiety atleast from the info you gave it doesnt sound like that. Normally with separation anxiety they wont eat or drink while you are gone, will get into stuff that has your scent on it, ie shoes, mail you just grabbed, clothing, things like that. Also they tend to be very anxious before you leave, jump up on the door or windows, scratch at windows and doors etc. If your dog is doing these things let me know I have tons of info on separation anxiety. However if he isnt my guess is your dog is bored. Try a kong stuffed with peanutbutter give it to him before you leave. Give him plenty of exercise before you leave so he will sleep most of the time you are gone. Good luck and hope this helps

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Member

Posts: 13
From:Cypress, TX, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-29-2003 11:44 AM         

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Hey thanks for all the suggestions and so fast too. I would never get rid of bobby and the problem is when I am home he is allowed to sit on most of the furniture as are my cats but doesn't knock stuf over and come to think of it alot of times it is my stuff like an old purse with my stuff in it he drags out or the newspaper that he sees me read when I come home.. As to the amount of time the longest is usually six hours this is when we are both working at the same time and kids are in school.. my mom used to babysit him every now and then but she passed away last year so he may miss her too thanks again everyone

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

posted 07-29-2003 01:46 PM         

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Here are some links for separation anxiety
http://www.doggiedoor.com/sepanx.shtml
http://www.hsus.org/ace/15891

Those are a couple of my favorite sites on SA. Hope they help. The keys are ignore the dog 10 minutes before you leave and 10 minutes afterwards. Never make leaving and coming home a big deal. Leave something with the dog that has your scent on it like a sweatshirt you wore but didnt wash. The best way to get rid or SA is to leave your house at literally seconds at a time then work up to minutes and then hours. Sometimes you can also reduce the amount of anxiety by simply changing your schedule. Like things you normally do like put on your shoes, grab your keys or your coat. Do it but dont actually go anywhere. Grab your keys but dont leave. Dogs relate certain acts to other actions you grabbing your keys means to your dog that you are leaving. So grab your keys but dont leave. Hope some of this info helps

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Member

Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-29-2003 02:03 PM         

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I dont think itis sep anxiety either, my dog used to do that, I know it was because she was bored and still in the puppy stage. Except she did things from the garage to the outside. My husband and Could never figure out how she went got a full 12 pack of coke out the doogy door and into the back yard. We would find her dog bed stuck in the dog door because she wanted it out. We would put things way out of her reach and could never figure how she managed to them outside. She had so much pent up nervous energy. Well she did this till she was about 3 and then she stopped. (she can play for hours) She finally slowed down. Now we have a dogdoor from outside into the house and has been this way for 3 years and she has not gotten into anything.
Good luck honeybear

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Member

Posts: 13
From:Cypress, TX, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-29-2003 05:12 PM         

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I am so glad I found this site. I love my pets and came to the right place.

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Posts: 536
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-29-2003 11:32 PM         

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It sounds like a mix of boredom and separation anxiety, especially since he is used to having someone around. Dogs dogs exibit all sorts of strange behaviors when they are anxious. But he's also still at that age of getting into things, I would try penning off an area for him or crating him while you are gone -- for his safety and your peace of mind! Once hes a bit older I am sure it will pass. But exercise in the am should tire him out!

Id also consider a dog sitter, dog walker or doggie daycare to help break up his day a little -- even if its only a couple times a week!

good luck!

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