The reason the crate should be just big enough for them to stand up and turn around comfortably is because if its bigger, they will potty in one corner and sleep in the other. If the dog doesn't have accidents, its fine for it to be bigger.
Yes, one of the key factors in treating seperation anxiety is ignoring for about 10-15 minutes before you leave, and 10-15 minutes after you get home. You want to relieve the anxiety of you leaving and coming home and making it into no big deal. If you make a huge spectacle of coming home and walk in the door calling your dog and petting her like crazy, she'll be filled with anxiety sitting at home waiting for that moment to come. She'll have to find a way to release the anxiety which can be barking, chewing, digging, etc.
Nip this in the bud while you can. She's so young that its probably just a normal puppy thing. Most shelter dogs have seperation anxiety issues. Reece had the worst seperation anxiety imaginable because I was his 6th home and he was only a year old when I got him. It took time and patience but we got him through it. It shouldn't take as much time for such a young pupster.
Never take her out of her crate if she's barking or whining. It will be rewarding her for barking and then she'll ALWAYS bark when she wants out of the crate. Wait until she is quiet and settled down a little then let her out and take her potty. If she's really anxious when you take her out of the crate, just ignore her and don't coddle her. Put her leash on, tell her she's silly, and walk her outside.
Also get her used to alone time even when you are home. Try to discourage her from following you from room to room while she's still suffering from seperation anxiety. She needs to get comfortable with being alone. Try baby gating her in the kitchen while you're walking around the house doing chores or something. She'll see you going back and forth and maybe settle down eventually.
Alyson
Shiloh, Reece, Lolly, Skylar
and fosters Snickers, Missy, Magic, Merlin, Maya
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