Luka-pop Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 Luka has very severe separation anxiety. Anyways, he's gotten soooo much better, and while my mom's out and my little sis and I are at school, my dad hides up in his room and Luka stays downstairs, alone. He's perfectly fine then. But when we come home, because all the pressure of being alone drains him, he will go to the bathroom inside the house. At night, he will whine and bark while in his crate. It's not the crate he dislikes, but rather being left alone ih his crate. If we do have to leave him alone, what would my best bet be? Leave him in the crate, or give him the house to wander through. Ofcourse all of the doors to the bathrooms and bedrooms would be closed, but he would basicaly have the entire downstairs to himself. I don't want him going to the bathroom all over the place, knocking anything down, tearing apart the couch and carpet, or scartching on the walls, doors, furniture, or piano. If I leave him in the crate, there's a chance of him being self-destructive (knawing on himself, crate bars, etc.). For his safety and for the least damage to the house, any ideas? He likes Kongs, but they would never last more than an hour tops. He would lose interest in them after a while. I don't want to give him pizzle or anything like that while he's alone... What shall I do? I need to be able to leave him alone sometimes! By the way, the vet said that it would get better with time, and that he wasn't going to recommend valium. Quote
imported_Foster Posted February 6, 2003 Posted February 6, 2003 Are you sure that the going in the house isn't just from the excitement of you coming home? Maybe your dad could let your dog out shortly before you all are expected home and see if that helps. Re: crating the dog is the best way but I can also sympathize with the separation anxiety. Can you put your dog in the kitchen or something? If the dog will be destructive to itself, then you either need to retrain the crate or resign yourself to accidents in the house when you get home. Quote
Luka-pop Posted February 6, 2003 Author Posted February 6, 2003 It is from excitement, but he's getting better by the moment. Now, he won't even jump up on us and get all excited when we come home. He'll just greet us, and that's it. We even left him ALONE for 40 minutes, twice, and he was fine! Of course he had his Kongs with him. Our goal is five hours (a long way to go), but I think crating him would be less safe and more stressful for him. He seems to be getting the clue that as long as he's at our house, he's not going to get abandoned. :D Quote
courtnek Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 How big is your kitchen? There isnt a lot in there they can destroy (put the garbage up) and a baby gate should be fine. Put a bed and his kongs in there for him - he;ll have room enough to move around, and if he has an accident it's easy to clean up. Would it help if you put his crate in your room? At least until he gets over the seperation anxiety? When mine were puppies I always put the crate in my room until they were housebroken. Then they dont feel quite so alone Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted February 7, 2003 Posted February 7, 2003 Would it help if you put his crate in your room? At least until he gets over the seperation anxiety? When mine were puppies I always put the crate in my room until they were housebroken. Then they dont feel quite so alone if your parents would allow it Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.