Dog crating problem- Does fine while we're home, panic's when we leave!?

David P

Alright guys, I have a 7 year old terrier/beagle mut and originally he was my dog until I joined the military. I left him with my mom. Ever sense we've had him he's always had seperation anxiety. Eventually my sister bought a puggle (pug/beagle mix) and that inadvertently fixed it. He was fine staying at home. Well she moved about 6 months ago and for the first 4 months he was fine being left alone.

Then me and my fiance moved out of my mom's apartment. We were just living there temporarily. He ate a hole in her drywall. So I took him to our apartment because my mom got really upset. I started reading information about separation anxiety, crate training, and being the alpha dog. I read that the majority of sep anxiety comes from the dog feeling like its his job to protect you and when you leave it confuses him and he takes it out on things, sometimes himself.

So for several weeks I did -everything- suggested to show them your the alpha dog. He was reacting well to this, becoming submissive, I was able to get him to eat his food in his crate when before he wouldn't get near it. Eventually he even slept in his crate during the day and we were home. However, once we'd put him in the crate and leave he'd panic. Either destroying things left in the crate (Like a towel for him to lay on) or he'd lick the bars on the crate until his nose was bleeding and raw.

I really don't think its an alpha dog issue, he isn't showing any traits of feeling like he is the leader and I've been very successful (and so has my fiance) and reinforcing it daily. We do the pack walks, I make him always sit and shake before receiving petting, and I always lead him. At food time he eats after we do and after I walk him. When we feed him we make him sit and stay until we tell him he can go eat.

Any other ideas?
Just some additional information. I do leave things in his crate to do he just won't do anything with them while we leave. He just panic's the whole time. Before we leave he starts panting heavily like he's just getting all worked up.
I don't leave him in the crate day and night lol. He lays in his crate during the day, thats where he chooses to lay down. He isnt locked in there, and at night he sleeps in the living room in his dog bed because he crys if we try to put him in the crate at night. The only time I PUT him in his crate is when we leave and lately I've been forced to leave him in my bedroom because he seems to do good in there alone.

Answer
Hiya i had this problem with my boxer as a pup it sounds like seperation anxiety - it is fairly common (more in younger dogs) but they get worked up and anxious without their owner. I found that using DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) plug in resolved the issue very quickly. It is like an air fresherner plug in but releases a pheromone that relaxes dogs (a similar 1 that a mum releases to their young) this calms the dog of any age. You cant smell anything. Is also useful for times such as bonfire night or new yr if fireworks scare your dog!! It may be worth a try i was not convinced and i tried it within a week my dog didnt stress or howl when i left her.
http://www.doggiesolutions.co.uk/d-a-p-dog-appeasing-pheromone-497-0.html
A couple of other things you could try is
1 - leaving her for a couple of minutes (working up to longer) in another room while you are in
2 - Dont stroke or pet your dog before you leave total ignorance 10 mins before you go out as fussing will increase the anxiety before you actually leave and your dog will think there is something to be scared about
3 - give a nice juicy bone (suitable for dogs obviously) to chew on gives them something else to focus on.
4 - The most important thing when shes calm and doesnt pine reward with lots of fuss and treats
It doesnt sound like a dominance issue you sound as if you have a very well behaved and socialised dog.
You could maybe consider if your circumstances let you getting a play mate that would almost definately solve the issue
Hope you sort it.

Taking two dogs to the UK, what is the quarentine process like. Is it worth it or better to rehome or...?

NoDayButTo

Taking two dogs to the UK, what is the quarentine process like. Is it worth it or better to rehome or find a temp home for the dogs.

I have heard some bad things about the quarentine process. And a friend had told us that has been through it that the dogs would be first having no interaction for atleast the first 3 days. So to put enough food in their cage for 3 days and plenty of water. Then to tape a bag of food to their crate for when they eventually get around to feeding them. She said a lot of dogs are lucky to make it out. Some die just from being there that long, many get lost and misplaced, some get sick and die or are euthanized.

So my question is how long is the quarentine process? Is it really that bad? Is it really worth putting the dogs through?

My husbands co worker is going to London to oversee a major project at their London office and he will be there anywhere from 6 to 9 months.
He has 2 dogs one is a Jack Russell Terrier and the other is an American Staffordshire Terrier.

Now I know the UK has an issue with pit bulls, is the Amstaff consider a "Pit Bull" over there or just the APBT?

Is it worth it to even try to take them or should he rehome them or try to find them a temporary home for the months he is gone? He doesn't want to part with his dogs but he worries about the effects of taking them with him.

Thanks

Answer
Hello
First of all, YES, the Am.Staff is considered a pitbull over here, however, you are able to obtain a special licence through DEFRA when coming into the country under this situation. It may require the dog to be neutered and muzzled in public, but will try and find a link for you to the correct DEFRA page.

Quarantine is a DEFINITELY 6 months, which is a long time considering he will only be here 6 to 9 months. I have to wonder if it is worth this at all.

However I can thoroughly vouch for the Ladyhaye Kennels in Blindley Heath. It is where we keep our rescues and I know all the staff and how they are with the quarantine dogs.

http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/ladyhaye-kennels-16373640.html

It is in an area not too far from London by car and your friend would be able to visit at any time. I was there this morning walking our dogs. It is close to Gatwick airport.

Add on - here is the link regarding the USA. If the dogs have their qualifying paperwork then they would not need quarantine.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/procedures/support-info/other.htm

Add again. I cannot find the piece I have read before regarding a license for the dog, although I did come across words used to describe the pit bull - and American Staff was in there.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Title Post: Dog crating problem- Does fine while we're home, panic's when we leave!?
Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown

Thanks For Coming To My Blog