posted 02-17-2004 04:14 AM         

How long is she in the crate in between getting let out?

If you are home, perhaps she is trying to tell you that she doesn't want to be in the crate? I crated trained my dog, but when I was home, she was out with me. I just stayed in the same room with her and kept an eye on her for signs of having to go out. And took her out every hour, plus after eating, drinking, sleeping, or playing.

Have you washed her crate very well with some sort of odor neutralizer, such as Nature's Miracle? Do you go out with her when you take her out and praise her for going outside?

Jamiya

posted 02-17-2004 09:33 PM         

Jamiya or anyone who knows: do you know of any good seperation anxiety sites that she can go to cause I don't know any.

posted 02-18-2004 07:25 AM         

Don't forget that there are no instant solutions in a case like this. Your poor doggie has a lot of bad memories to overcome. It will be a very slow process.

Take note of the tiny steps forward she makes to help keep your chin up, and don't give up! If there is a good behaviorist in your area and you can afford it, I would consider enlisting their help. Make sure you screen well, though, and only use someone who uses positive methods. Punishment should NOT be used with this dog.

Does she know any obedience? You might consider clicker training. A lot of dogs think it is fun, and you might see her start to come out of her shell once she realizes that she gets rewarded for figuring out what you want her to do. It's like a game! The book I am using for this is "The Power of Positive Dog Training" by Pat Miller.

Hang in there, and please keep us updated!

posted 02-18-2004 09:30 AM         

If there is anyone that has went thru this same thing at all I would like for them to contact me. I want to do this right for the dog to help her and not cause more confusion and heartache for her.

Thanks for the respone! I really really do appreciate all the input and such.

posted 02-18-2004 10:53 AM         

Also make sure you have some sort of clothing in her crate that has her smell on it.
honeybear

I had a dog with separation anxiety and after alot of reading both on the web and bookds here are some good sites i found and also check out the book THE DOG WHO LOVED TOO MUCH BY DR NICHOLAS DODMAN
HERE ARE THE LINKSON SEPARATION ANXIETY http://www.hsus.org/ace/15891 http://www.doggiedoor.com/sepanx.shtml

JUST SOME EXPERIENCE FROM SOMEONE THAT WENT THROUGH IT. CRATE THE DOG IF YOU CAN. SOME DOGS ESPECIALLY RESCUES CANNOT BE CRATED. LEAVE A TV OR RADIO ON WHEN YOU LEAVE, A LIGHT, AND A SHIRT THAT YOU WORE BUT DIDNT WASH WITH THEM WHEN YOU LEAVE.

DONT MAKE GOODBYES AND COMING HOME A BIG DEAL. USE A PHRASE EVERYTIME YOU LEAVE AND USE IT EVERYTIME YOU LEAVE MINE IS "BEHAVE, ILL BE BACK" THE DOG WILL EVENTUALLY REALIZE THAT WHEN YOU SAY THAT YOU WILL BE COMING BACK. MOST DOGS WITH SA WONT PLAY WITH TOYS, EAT, OR DRINK WHILE YOU ARE GONE SO KONGS AND SUCH USUALLY DONT HELP ALTHOUGH THERE ARE THE EXCEPTIONS. MINE WAS NOT AN EXCEPTION TO THAT. START DOING THINGS THAT YOU DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE, PUT ON YOUR SHOES, GRAB YOUR CAR KEYS, PUT YOUR COAT ON. THEN SIT DOWN, DONT LEAVE. GET YOUR DOG TO THE POINT THAT YOU DOING THOSE THINGS DOESNT NECESSARILY MEAN YOU ARE LEAVING. WHICH REDCUES THE AMOUNT OF ANXIETY THEY BUILD UP BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE THE HOUSE. WHEN YOU COME HOME, IGNORE THE DOG, PUT YOUR COAT AND KEYS AWAY, GET A DRINK, SIT DOWN, THEN GIVE YOUR DOG ATTENTION. IGNORE THE DOG WHEN YOU FIRST COME IN THE DOOR. ALSO IF THE DOGS ARE DOING ANYTHING DESTRUCTIVE WHILE YOU ARE GONE. DO NOT SCOLD THEM THIS JUST MAKES THEIR SA WORSE. YOU WILL HAVE TO START WITH LEAVING YOUR HOUSE AT LITERALLY SECONDS AT A TIME AND WORKING UP TO HOURS. THAT IM PRETTY SURE IS EXPLAINED IN THE LINKS I GAVE YA. HOPE THIS HELPS SOME. IF I THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE ILL WRITE IT. BUT I DID MONTHS OF READING AND LEARNED MORE ABOUT SEPARATION ANXIETY THAN ANY PERSON EVEN WANTS TO KNOW. BUT I COULDNT STAND BEING A PRISONER IN MY OWN HOME ANY LONGER!!