My, almost 8 month old, boxer has been suffering from severe seperation anxiety. I understand that I have already posted about this but I don't know what to do. She cannot, I mean CANNOT be by herself. She has bent the bars on the crate, drools severly, and now today she pooped in the crate. When I am in the bathroom or any other place that she cannot get to me she will go to the bathroom in the house, even if she had just been on a walk and had already gone. Today I was at a meeting for three hours. I am only ever gone for a maximum of five hours. I thought that she would grow out of it or that I would be able to recondition her. She just seems to throw in a new twist as soon as I feel she is getting more comfortable. I just don't know what to do and I am at my wits end. Please help I am getting desperate.
Aaarggghhh!!!
- Thread starter BoxerSwim
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beausmommy
Boxer Insane
My dog used to do the same thing. The only thing that worked for me was getting a second dog. He's fine as long as Beau is in his crate right beside him. I'm sorry for what you are going through. I remember it all too well.
theGangler
Boxer Buddy
-Keep arrivals and departures low-key. For example, when you arrive home, ignore your dog for the first few minutes, then calmly pet him. This may be hard for you to do, but it's important!
-Leave your dog with an article of clothing that smells like you—such as an old t-shirt that you've slept in recently.
-Establish a "safety cue"—a word or action that you use every time you leave that tells your dog you'll be back. Dogs usually learn to associate certain cues with short absences by their owners. For example, when you take out the garbage, your dog knows you come right back and doesn't become anxious. Therefore, it's helpful to associate a safety cue with your short-duration absences.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/o...g_behavior_tip_sheets/separation_anxiety.html
-Leave your dog with an article of clothing that smells like you—such as an old t-shirt that you've slept in recently.
-Establish a "safety cue"—a word or action that you use every time you leave that tells your dog you'll be back. Dogs usually learn to associate certain cues with short absences by their owners. For example, when you take out the garbage, your dog knows you come right back and doesn't become anxious. Therefore, it's helpful to associate a safety cue with your short-duration absences.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/o...g_behavior_tip_sheets/separation_anxiety.html
Shanz
Boxer Insane
you could also practice with her.
Put her in her crate for a few minutes and leave. As soon as you think shes going to cry, come back..Keep slowly increasing the time intervals. eventually you should be able to leave her all day no problem.
Give her something that will distract her for a while like a kong filled with stuff,.
Put her in her crate for a few minutes and leave. As soon as you think shes going to cry, come back..Keep slowly increasing the time intervals. eventually you should be able to leave her all day no problem.
Give her something that will distract her for a while like a kong filled with stuff,.
xenaprincess
Boxer Insane
I agree with what Shanz has said. Try leaving for short intervals and come back...lengthen each time by 5-10 minutes. Eventually she will realize that you will come back, and like theGangler said...give her a safety-cue. With my 2 I always say..."be back soon..lay down & be good", and I leave the radio on for them. 
I always found that a stuffed kong (frozen peanut butter) will keep them quite content.
Good luck...I know it's frustrating but it's fixable. It does get better!
I always found that a stuffed kong (frozen peanut butter) will keep them quite content.Good luck...I know it's frustrating but it's fixable. It does get better!
What are you suppossed to do in the mean time? Well after my post today we both took a nap in the room where the crate is, so she wouldn't be afraid of it. I left the room at various times for various amounts of time, take a shower, change the laundry, etc. She didn't go to the bathroom while I was out for 15 minutes. I am going to bring her to work with me tonight, but tommorrow I have another meeting during the day. I am concerned she is going to have a set back and unlearn the process we did today. Thank you for your advice, it is nice to hear about the success stories.
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