Do dogs really do things out of spite....or is it really just the anxiety kicking in? My old roomate one day said that AS SOON as i closed the door to leace, Tyson ran to his crate and peed in it. He obviously didnt HAVE to go because he went outside a few minutes earlier, but I think he did it to "get back at me" for leaving him.
Leaving him home alone
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VTbxrFan
Boxer Insane
I don't think so. I know it's easy to feel like it, though. My dog is most likely to get into things if I've been gone for a while, come home for a short time to let him out and feed him, and then have to leave again. I try to avoid doing that, but sometimes I don't have a choice (and I'd rather let him out and feed him than just leave him), so it feels like he's "getting back at me", but I really don't think they have that emotion. I think it's just stress and/or boredom.
hudson78
Boxer Booster
In reply to the question about dogs spiteing... When my dog Hudson was suffering from separation anxiety I was told by several vets and read it many places that dogs do not have the ability to spite, wether this is true or not i'm not really sure. But I do know that when a dog has separation anxiety it is not spite. When you leave the dog simply pannicks and basically goes insane, so if it tears up a room, craps/urinates all over the place, or chews up a sofa, it is not spite... it's insanity. The anxiety does start the moment you leave, and they say usually a dog will do the most damage the first 15 minutes after you leave. We tested this and it was always the case. Another sign of separation anxiety is self mutilation(excessive paw licking) while you're gone. This is hard to detect in boxers as their hair is short but when we use to come home our wheaten's paw's would be drenched!! The dogs thoughts are truly that it's pack has left them behind is not coming back.... ever. It really is sad. But it's an issue you can't ignore, cause if you do it will only get worse before it gets better. I really hope you try some of these things and something works... I know how stressful it is. Good luck.
marciafinn
Boxer Insane
My golden retriever Hannah had terrible seperation anxiety. To make matters worse she couldn't be crated. Several trainers tried to work with her to relieve some of her stress to no avail. We tried several different things and over a LONG period of time finally came to several conclusions to help her. One thing was be limited her space in the house with barriers and gates. We also had to leave the bedroom doors open so she could walk to the gate and see the doors open, we still don't know why she would panic if the doors were closed. Maybe she thought we were in there and couldn't get to us. We never did try the drugs/herbs that were recommended since the vet said they were still testing a lot of them. After we found all the triggers Hannah was much better in the house. However if there was a thunder storm we were in trouble.
10 months is still very young and you mention he's not in a crate. He might have peed in the crate when he was younger since 8 hours (plus travel time) is a very long time for a puppy. It might be worth a shot to try the crate again now that he is older and will have better bladder control. Most puppies left out of a crate will do exactly what Tyson does when left alone too so it might just be a puupy thing and not seperation anxiety. Good luck with Tyson - hopefully you'll get it straightened out soon!
10 months is still very young and you mention he's not in a crate. He might have peed in the crate when he was younger since 8 hours (plus travel time) is a very long time for a puppy. It might be worth a shot to try the crate again now that he is older and will have better bladder control. Most puppies left out of a crate will do exactly what Tyson does when left alone too so it might just be a puupy thing and not seperation anxiety. Good luck with Tyson - hopefully you'll get it straightened out soon!
I actually video taped Tyson last night when I left for about 2 hours. I only got 5 minutes worth of footage but it was really sad. As soon as I locked the door the whining started. He was biting the cage and looked like he was trying to rip it down. The cries were terrible....I can only hope my walls are thick enough that my neighbors dont have to hear that. They might think somebody is trying to kill him. This is so frustrating.
catneon
Completely Boxer Crazy
Have you tried to change your behavior? Tusla-Dan didn't recommend it?!? But I will read The Dog listener. It is a great book. Your puppy thinks he is responsible for you, he's not sad because he is alone, he is panicking because he has no idea where you went, if you'll come back and he thinks it's his responsibility to look after you. You need to go back to basics on this.
How about 30 min before you leave you take him out for a small walk and play fetch for a few minutes, a tired puppy is a happy puppy. Come back inside and rest before you put him in a gated off area of your house or directly in his crate. Put his favorite toys, maybe a blanket that smells like you and good chew toys kong etc... Don't make a fuss when leaving a few minutes before. Start putting him in there when you are home, ignore all cries, wait at least 10 min after he stopped crying to go and quietly praise, if he starts crying again start over. Then practice leaving for 5min, 10 min, 20 min. Never leave the same way dogs figure out routines very fast and if you always have the same, he will start becoming anxious at the first sign that says to him your leaving. Never give the dog attention when you come back wait at least 5 minutes (no crying) before calmly acknowledging him. Give him time to calm down.
I don't think this situation is to the point of no return but you need to change your habits now! Your dog needs to consider you the leader in order for him to have a happy stress free life. If you get tensed about the situation leave, go take some fresh air and come back when you are calm.
I know its' frustration and it's sad, but unless you commit yourself to changing, this will continue.
Good luck and please re-read the posts above there are really good advice in them. Keep us updated.
Catherine and Gazou
How about 30 min before you leave you take him out for a small walk and play fetch for a few minutes, a tired puppy is a happy puppy. Come back inside and rest before you put him in a gated off area of your house or directly in his crate. Put his favorite toys, maybe a blanket that smells like you and good chew toys kong etc... Don't make a fuss when leaving a few minutes before. Start putting him in there when you are home, ignore all cries, wait at least 10 min after he stopped crying to go and quietly praise, if he starts crying again start over. Then practice leaving for 5min, 10 min, 20 min. Never leave the same way dogs figure out routines very fast and if you always have the same, he will start becoming anxious at the first sign that says to him your leaving. Never give the dog attention when you come back wait at least 5 minutes (no crying) before calmly acknowledging him. Give him time to calm down.
I don't think this situation is to the point of no return but you need to change your habits now! Your dog needs to consider you the leader in order for him to have a happy stress free life. If you get tensed about the situation leave, go take some fresh air and come back when you are calm.
I know its' frustration and it's sad, but unless you commit yourself to changing, this will continue.
Good luck and please re-read the posts above there are really good advice in them. Keep us updated.
Catherine and Gazou
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