Help!!!!!!

[gmacleod]

It could indeed be anxiety. You say she's "cage-broken" but if she's needing extra locks etc because she finds ways to break out, then it's pretty clear she's not exactly relaxed and happy in there. What do you leave her with to do all day?

Possible anxiety issues aside, just as a FYI about how long you can expect a dog to hold it's bladder - well 8 hours is about the humane limit. For puppies and young dogs the general "rule of thumb" for how long you can reasonably expect an animal to hold it (in hours) is the age in months + 1 to a maximum of 8 hours. Some dogs can *never* last that long, some can go a little longer - it depends on the individual. So don't think that just because some other dogs can hold on that it's the case for all of them.

IMO a dog shouldn't be asked to do that daily for any extended period. The body (human or canine) is designed to flush itself of waste on a regular basis. I wonder about the long term health effects of preventing a dog from expelling it's waste, especially if that also means limiting it's water intake.

 

[Jade010103]

I'm betting there's some separation anxiety, have you ever tried turning on a radio when your gone, I'll sometimes leave the tv on or the radio for my dogs. I think in some dogs it can help relax them making them feel that their not alone.

 

[Zannie]

this might anger some people but i hate the thought of a dog any age in a crate for 8 hours even 6 hours is too much ,its like they have a daily jail term i understand alot of dogs love thier crate but i realy doubt they like to be locked in it that long just my opion.....

have you tried to walk your dog in morning before you leave for the day,i have a realy big fenced yard and i was letting my dogs run for about an hour before work but it just was not cutting it with scout he needed more so i now get up earler and walk him for about half hour or so now he is doing much better a tiered dog is much better behaved.....

good luck ann

 

[BeckyNC]

When I first adopted Tae, she was crated while I was at work. She had no trouble holding her bladder, but she did hate the crate and bent the wires with her teeth, as well as drooling all day. I started confining her to the kitchen and she pees in there EVERY day without fail. I have been working with a behaviorist as it appears Tae has an anxiety issues. She is on Clomicalm, but there has been only minimal improvement. Our next step is to videotape while I'm at work to see when Tae goes potty. I'm fairly certain it's after 5 hours of being home alone. Lasting for 5 hours somewhat elminates sep anxiety, but does not elminate generalized anxiety.

The purpose of explaining my situation is to say I agree with some posters that your girl may be anxious. An indicator of sep anxiety is urination within 20 min or so of the owner leaving. Have you tried leaving a kong stuffed with goodies and then frozen for your girl? That might take her mind off your departure for 20 minutes, which would be ideal.