Behavior Problem -Long-

[gabbysmom]

Gabby has separation anxiety 50% of the time. Half the time if I leave her alone in the house there is no incident, the other half she tears stuff up, there is no telling which each time will be. SHe was crate trained, until she got angry at me for putting her in there and started peeing on the floor immediately afyer I waled out the door. So I put her on our back porch, it is covered, sheltered and screened in. SHe had a fan when It was warma nd a blanket, H2o and toys. That wasn't good enough either. She started breaking her cage. Within a week she had bent it so terribly that it wouldnt stay shut without bungee cords.

I started leaving her in the laundry room. AGain she satrted to pee on the floor the second I left the house. I had enough so pulled the cage into the garage, bungee corded it up and tied up up and left her in there yesterday. When I pulled into the drive I opened the garage door and she had bent an entore wall of the cage open from the middle and all of the trash was strewn and chewed all over my garage.

I have to work today and tomorrow and I don't know what to do. I am scared to leave her anywhere. Outside alone she could dig out or someone could steal her. In the laundry room, more pee and ickyness, in the house she could destroy anything here. My boyfriend suggests another crate, do them make them out of carbon fiber or kevlar.

I know that most of you will think it is becuse she isnt geting enough attention, you are wrong, she does everything with us. From the moment we get home and thru bedtime she is at our sides, but you know boxers they love to be with us. I just need to protect our home and her. Eating things isnt good for her, and it drives me nuts.

Ingrid

Moderator's note: the thread was moved from the Boxer Ring forum to the Behavioral Issues forum. Please post to the correct forum. Thank you.

 

[jenjones28]

I honestly don't know what to say. The only thing I know of that might be of some help would be to get a kong and fill it to the bring with something incredibly yummy, like peanut butter or yogurt with little bits of dog treats or cat kibble (I know, yuck) in it, and then freeze it. That way, you can give it to her when you leave. I would try it first while you are there for an hour or so, complete with putting her in her kennel and see how it goes. Maybe that will distract her enough that she doesn't miss you so much. I know you said she had toys in there with her, but I know for my Bindi, toys will not hold her attention like a stuffed kong will.

 

[Tucker's Mom]

That's standard S.A. Tucker does the same thing. First, the bungee cords are not strong enough to hold back a determined boxer. I had to buy metal brackets to reinforce Tucker's crate. Second, if she is hurting herself trying to get out after you use brackets, you will definitely need to consider something like doggie daycare or an alternative method of keeping her while you're gone until you can get her past this.

Third, I don't doubt that she gets plenty of attention. And, actually, that might be part of the problem. Dogs with S.A. panic when away from their owners because they don't know how to behave without them. And it's hard - so hard - because you want to be with her just as much as she wants to be with you. But, things change and you can't be with her all the time. So, now, your best approach is to find a way to keep her from hurting herself and destroying your house when you're gone and start doing behavioral excerises. You should start by putting her in the crate and leaving the room for a few seconds. Stay close by and return immediately when you hear her start to get stressed. Wait until she calms down and do it again. You should gradually be able to increase your time away from her without panic this way. It's a long hard process, but it works. You just have to show her that no matter how long you're gone, you will be back. Safety cues also may help. For example, I turn on the radio when I leave and turn it off immediately when I get home. That way Tucker knows that if the radio is on, I'm coming back.

And frozen P-butter kongs do help keep their attention as well. One thing to consider is that the majority of the damage is done within the first 30 minutes of your leaving. So, anything that will distract her will help.

Do a search on Separation Anxiety here. You will find tons of threads with great information.

 

[knjsBailey]

Can't say much else. The first two replies cover it. Kongs are great as a distraction. When she is in the crate she needs to know it is O.K. so just like tukers mom said put her in for short times, seconds. Gradually increase the time and then try leaving the room for a few seconds. Baby steps is all it takes. She needs to understand she is not there for ever and you will always be back for her. Just don't ever let her out while she is whining or else she will see that as her ticket out. Be patient and remember she misses you. Soon she will find it relaxing to be in there and whenever you can't find her she will be in there sleeping.

Good luck

 

[gabbysmom]

she was alone int he house all day and did well, she knocked one thing over but that was it. The long is a good idea, and so is it about the first 30 min, I am going to get one tonight!!

THanks!!

Ingrid

 

[jenjones28]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes!

 

[gabbysmom]

I went out and got her a kong, she likes it. I'll give it to her tommorow when I leave. ANy ideas for inside them other than the biscuts that come with them?

 

[BoxerTrouble]

Peanut butter is great in Kongs my two love it.
May not be an ideal solution but maybe get a little friend for her to play with?

 

[gabbysmom]

We want another dog, but her father is in Iraq and I am having a hard time with a house, yard, job, 2 kids, 3 cars, and a boxer, I am not sure If I can handle another friend, ever! But I don't know.

 

[jenjones28]

I went out and got her a kong, she likes it. I'll give it to her tommorow when I leave. ANy ideas for inside them other than the biscuts that come with them?

I like to make a mixture of peanut butter and treats (her kibble, the cat's kibble, dog treats, cereal, anything really) and put it in there, or the same thing but substituting plain yogurt for the peanut butter, and then I freeze it. If I don't freeze it, Bindi can get it out in about five minutes flat. I know some people on BW put bananas (Bindi isn't crazy for them), pieces of apple, pieces of chicken, etc. Really, your imagination is the limit.