Comments on: Separation Anxiety – Why It Happens and How to Help Your Dog

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 03:18:11 +0000

My dog is wonderful when I am home. Sleeps most of the day, great with kids, decent at listening to basic commands. However, staying home alone is a different story. We tried crate training and that was an absolute disaster. He HATED the crate. He is a rescue so I am not sure what his history with crates is. We tried going slow, tried getting him to eat his meals in the crate, tried having him in the crate while we were home, hell I even got in the crate with him. He went through 4 crates. Destroyed the first three, the 4th one is indestructible, but he broke off 2 of his teeth on it. The second he would get in the crate, he would vibrate he was so panicked and he would bark the entire time we were gone without stopping to even catch his breath. Didn’t matter if it was 20 min or 4 hours. Because he would bark so much he was constantly losing his voice and dehydrating himself to the point that whenever he would get those first few sips of water when we would get home and let him out, he would puke it all back up. The couple times he was able to escape from his first few crates, he would destroy the wall next to the front door. Made it through the drywall to the exterior sheeting one time. Sooooo, I decided to ditch the crate and get a Furbo. Since then I have been training him to stay home alone without the crate. He no longer tries to chew the wall, however he continues to howl constantly after being alone for about 30min-1hr. He was doing good on his own for about 4 hours a few weeks back before starting to howl, but for some reason in the past two weeks he has started howling after as little as 20 min. I am at a loss of what to do. I am happy with the progress we have made so far, and am usually home most of the day as I am still in school, however graduation is quickly approaching and that mean working full time and he needs to be ready for that sooner rather than later. As it is right now, he can be home about 30min-1hr. He paces, waits by the door, and HOWLS. He sleeps ALL day when I am home, but the second I leave it’s game over. HELP!!

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 12:39:33 +0000

Have two male Shiba pups 7 weeks old and the momma who is approximately 5 years old. Should I be separating them in different crates throughout the day and night? They all have their own beds in a pen area we set up in our kitchen and for now they SOMETIMES respect each others space.

Are separate beds in the same area ok or should we be crating them separately in the same or different areas?

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 21:36:38 +0000

Hi. We have a 6 year old cocker spaniel poodle mix girl. Very sweet and gentle. Smart and well trained. No accidents in house unless sick. Even then she would poke me to take her out even if in middle of night
My daughter was home much of the day so she was rarely left for more than 3-4 hrs at a time.
However she has moved and only home on weekends (about 4 weeks now). We arrange to have someone come at lunch to take her out (my husband, mother, myself and just today with a dog walker). But she is alone for about 4 hrs in am and afternoon. This is quite a change for her to have this as her daily routine and not the exception.. we take her out first thing around 615, feed her by 645 and then another walk and home by 730 for the morning. She is out at lunch then I take her out for walk and play before supper then follow our regular pattern with another walk or 2 in evening. The problem is she has some accidents pooping in the house. I am not sure if anxiety or if change in her routine (as she could be taken out when needed).
Not sure what to else to do. Any suggestions?
Thx Lori.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 03 May 2018 13:22:30 +0000

Hello,
My family dog always has problems when I move away for school. When I leave she ends up going through the garbage no matter where we put it. But she will only do it when no one is home. We don’t know what to do.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 01:39:27 +0000

Help……I have a 7 month old shiba. Always been great with being crated at night or when we go out for a couple hours. Recently neutered. Well since the cone has been taken off almost a week now when I crate him as soon as je gets in he throws up then done and that’s it. He’s acting fine going te bathroom fine. Nothing out if the ordinary. What could this mean????

By: Virgina

Virgina — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 22:20:34 +0000

My boyfriend and I adopted a four year old Weimerainer Australian cattle dog mix. We have been able to crate him successfully over the past three months up until a few days ago. He managed to break out of his crate and get into the trash. We bought him a bigger crate in hopes that would work but he immediately got out of that one too. He also hurt himself pretty good. About 600 dollars in vet bills and anxiety meds. We’re currently trying to leave him in our apartment unsupervised to see how that goes. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!!

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 13 Jan 2018 07:33:41 +0000

My dog is about 12 years old and has never played up about spending time on his own because we work full time but recently he has been acting up he scratches all the doors that are shut and gnaws at the door frames if he can’t get the door open can’t understand why And he just keeps wondering round when we are in the house with him just doesn’t seem to settle for long

By: wagville

wagville — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 22:04:07 +0000

There is definately a lot to find out about this subject.

I like all the points you made.

By: Angelique Manzo

Angelique Manzo — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 18:49:00 +0000

I have a 6 month old husky who is well party train and knows when to go outside however it seems like any time I leave the house or Room he defecates on purpose which in turn makes me angry at him. I understand now that he has separation anxiety issues, I am wondering if it’s too late to correct him on how to fix it?

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 29 May 2017 18:12:15 +0000

In reply to Johnna. German Shepherds are extremely sensitive with regards to their family. Playing outside with a Shepherd is not enough. These dogs need about three miles of walking each day. As an mum to seven GSH they grieve and this can go on for a long time if not addressed. Why do you create him at night? If the create is in your bedroom, where it should be, you tell bedtime. Throw in a cookie and after a while your dog will most likely go to his "home." I would start with your vet and have him put on a mild anti anxiety pill. Music, walking, playing, talking to him on walks will start the bond. People who have never had a GSH need to be trained. Your dog will be a loyal companion with unconditional love. It sound as if he still feels neglected. Speak with your vet first, then read a good book on the personality of German Shepherds. As for his create, put him in it for five mins drive around the block and let hime out and praise him. Never make a big deal about leaving, his last dad died with him there. I always say:"Let's go to our house before I leave, but I worked up to the day that the gate stayed open while I went to work. Good luck and please don't give up on him, he needs you. If you don't have the time call the German Shepherd Rescue Society. They will find a home for him where people who have a lot of time and have had Shepherd's in the past can work with him. Good luck.