Re: Separation anxiety, etc.
Quote:
Originally posted by stacwase
I have done a search for "separation anxiety" and read a lot of the information already posted on this forum, but I have a few more questions.
If she has separation anxiety and needs to feel safe while I'm away, would it be best to cover the crate with a blanket or something or to leave it open?
Max sleeps beside my bed every night. I have set up the crate downstairs in the dining room. Whichever dog comes to live with me, she's going to be sleeping in the crate at least for a while. Do you think that it would be better to have the crate in my room?
I have a friend who works at the local iron ore docks, all alone in a little office, with long boring hours. He was thinking of bringing my new dog to work with him several days a week to keep him company all day. I would drop her off to him in the morning and he would bring her home to me in the evenings. At work, she would rarely be alone - only for a few minutes at a time, and there isn't anything chewable in the office.
And one more question - should I attempt to exhaust her with a lot of exercise before I crate her and leave? I'm thinking that might hell.
Most of my seperation anxiety dogs and fosters did better with a sheet over the crate. I slowly introduced them to the crate first until they were comfortable with it. When I could start leaving them in the crate, I did throw a sheet over it and play classical music or talk radio. It helped Reece immensely.
I would keep the crate downstairs. It will be better to get her used to being alone and let her know its okay. I'd say have her sleep down there for at least a month. When her seperation anxiety is gone, then she can start sleeping in your room with you and Max. It is better to fix the problem than trying to always manage it. You'll be at your wit's end if you have a dog that you can't leave alone.
For the third question, I wouldn't do it initially. I think its a great deal for a dog, don't get me wrong. But I'd first try to work with her to get rid of the seperation anxiety (same reasoning as the previous question).
Reece had seperation anxiety BAD, and I've had several fosters with it. It took me about a month or a month and a half of work with Reece and then he was totally over it. It was a grueling process but well worth it! If you have any other questions, I could probably answer them. Oh, and I'd be careful about her being outside for the first couple weeks. Since she has seperation anxiety, she may try to get back to an old home or to the shelter. A lot of shelter dogs have done that even when left outside alone for 5 minutes during the first few days they were at the new home. Once she settles in more (probably approx 2 weeks), then she'd be safe outside alone.
