Separation Anxiety

[dab_20]

I have dealt with dogs with separation anxiety, but none as severe as Springens. Since my brother has moved out with him, it's gotten a great deal worse. He has to stay in his kennel while my brother is at work for 6 to 8 hours, as he is very destructive when left alone. When we put him in his kennel, he starts to almost have some sort of a panic attack. He starts panting very loud and fast, whining, and drooling. Sometimes we'll leave for only ten minutes, and he has his four inch thick bed soaked through with drool.

The other day Springen got the bottom latch on his kennel door open, pushed until he bent the door enough to get through, and proceeded to rip all the blinds down on the window and tear them to shreds.

My brother makes sure he gets a long walk and fetch before he leaves and feeds him. We try to avoid making a big deal about leaving and coming home. We tried to associate his kennel with GOOD things, treats and lots of praise. Unfortunately, I do not know what the owners did before we got him, but we do know they did neglect him... so maybe that has something to do with it.

I'm at a loss and don't know what to do to cure this. I've tried many things I've read on the internet and it doesn't seem to be working. Even if he's confined and not destroying anything, I simply hate to think he has to suffer through the day with such worry and anxiety. He's not an anxious or fearful dog otherwise. Any suggestions??

[Freedom]

All I can think of, you may have tried. To "desensitize" him to being left alone.

Put him in the kennel, leave the room, return, let him out. Maybe a treat for reward. Do that a lot.

Next step, leave the house. Just stand outdoors. Return, let him out, treat. Do that a lot.

Next go out, get in the car and start it. Do not move it. Stop it, return, let him out, treat. Repeat a lot.

Next, drive car around the block.
Next, drive car, wait 5 minutes, 10, return.

If at any point you return and he has been in panic mode, then you moved to the next step before he was ready for it. Back up and redo the prior step.

Is there any alternative to him being alone? Anyone in the extended family he can be left with during the day time? Just another thought.

[Freedom]

Another thought.

Does he have to be let IN the kennel? What if you block off one area of the kitchen for him. Put his bed, water bowl, toys, chew sticks. At the start, cover the area with pee pads. Over time, you should be able to put the pads in one section, far from his bed.

[dab_20]

We haven't tried working with him in steps like that. I will have to let my brother know and try it. Unfortunately, he's an hour away from me and my mom now, and they're is no one to leave him with every day.

Well... my brother could definitely try it. He doesn't have any problems with pottying in the house... he's just VERYY destructive when left alone. He is bound to fine something to chew up that is more 'interesting' than his toys lol. I could talk to him about totally puppy proofing a small area somewhere in the house.

[king2005]

How big is his kennel?

Digi use to be bad like that too. She would go INSANE!! Get your brother to leave rock music on, or the radio (loud, but not so loud that it'll upset neighbours).. I used Metal (music) to desensitize Digi from noises. I still leave music playing when I'm not home.

Digi's kennel can fit 3 more Digi's in it as its HUGE. The kennel recommended for her size is so tiny I find it cruel. I use it for traveling as she's not in it very long (only at night, or for a few mins if we go out to get food) as her day kennel is far too large to lug around on a trip & it doesn't fit in my sisters tiny place.

I also have kept her in the bathroom when I have to leave her for long periods of time when traveling. I keep the light off & the bathroom fan ON. Sure the fan is annoying, but if I don't leave the fan on she gets upset with it being too quiet, but the dark also helps keep her calm as it helps her to fall asleep. Not once has she destroyed my sisters bathroom. BUT if I let her loose at home, she'll find something to shred (mostly my mail), or she'll just trash the house (pull plants onto the floor, spread my stuffies all over the house without damaging them, but if she finds plastic she'll chew on it).

Shes nothing like she use to be, & I can leave her for 30 mins & she'll just lay on the floor (as long as I don't lock the door) not too far from the door waiting for me. I've had her since about 6 weeks old (she was abused & neglected before she was thrown at me at 6 weeks of age). She will be 3 Aug 1st.

[dab_20]

We also got a kennel that was supposed to be the size for boxers, but Springen got so tall when he stood up his head would hit the top! So we got a kennel for like double his size and it's nice and roomy for him. Yeah, my brother has music on all the time when he is home so that would help if he left it on!