Dog Breaks in to house

**Giselle** · 01-13-2005, 11:10 PM

Once again, I'd like to suggest Alone Training. It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO simple and it's a lifesaver!

Honestly, it sounds like she might have a bit of anxiety when you leave. It's probably not real SA, but typically the same symptoms.
Alone training is very easy and here's how it goes:

Take a large Kong toy and stuff it with drooling-good yummies. Try shredded chicken, beef, Peanut Butter, a little honey, etc. and freeze the Kong overnight. On the day you're leaving, place the Kong on the dog's bed and turn on a TV or radio. Calmly gate off the rooms where you DON'T want her to go and close the curtains. Leave the house calmly and don't make a scene. Simply leave like nothing is happening. After 5 minutes, you come back like nothing has happened and calmly take the Kong away. If your dog is doing her hyper-OMG-Mommy's-back! dance, just keep walking and do your own business. The last thing you want to do is reinforce the idea that you coming and leaving is a time for her to get riled up. Gradually increase the time you are absent and do this periodically. Say you're watching the dog show, and there's a commercial. Take out the Kong and go for a brisk 5 minute walk. Come back, take the Kong away, and continue watching the TV. Pretend everytime you're leaving, you're just going to get the mail. Alone training really does work and it doesn't just mask the problem, but it targets the problem and actually builds up confidence while in the making. My dog had mild-SA and she ruined tables, chairs, thresholds, books, bags, etc. After a month of alone training, she became a confident doggy with loads of attitude and couldn't wait for me to leave the house

!

Also, you might want to try DAP and Rescue Remedy in conjunction with alone training. Good Luck!

**FuzzyGizmo** · 01-14-2005, 02:06 AM

Well i wouldnt leave my dog outside for even 15 min. He might be spoiled but you dog is actually trying to tell you something. Of course you might not get it. he wants to be inside (this is easy) but there is a catch. if he cant behave he doesnt get to be. make sure you reward him when he has done something right. always when he is right. but when he is wrong dont hurt him just scold him and if he is a normal dog will take to this idea of his owner's behavor when he has been bad. Locking him outside well thats not always as easy as you would like it to be. most counties wont let you leave a dog out side for longer than 4 hours even with food and water. i would suggest a nice warm comfy doggy house with lots of his stuff to shred if you must leave him outside. just make sure when he has been a good boy all day long then give him a toy or a treat and tell him he has been sooo good. he will get the hint over time.

**Lescoop77** · 01-14-2005, 12:54 PM

What about leaving her in the kitchen with a baby gate? Or even putting her in the bathroom and closing the door? This way she's inside and there really isn't much for her to chew. When my dog was just a young puppy I did this with her while using the crate on occasion and she did great. Something to try.

**jiena_drakon** · 01-14-2005, 04:08 PM

hehe naw I think just bringing her to work with me will have to do.. I've done the lock in the bathroom thing and well she ate the toilet seat and the cabinet and pulled up the floor tiles and ate the bottom of the door .. she is a monster but I love her..

she loves working with me ... and so far her being alone for three hours in the house she has been being good .. one day I will pass the three hour marker without having to have a nabber come over or have to call my answering machine to talk to her.. just will take some time..

I've tried the strong wire cage thing with a lock but I just don't think it is humane she really hates it... so I'm just not gonna go there either

**Pit Chick** · 01-14-2005, 04:12 PM

I'm glad you found a way to work this out. Once she gets older and more mature, she'll calm down with the "destructo dog" faze. It's good you get to take her to work with you, that's got to be a lot of fun for the both of you. I wish I could bring my dog to to work with me, it would definately liven up the place.

**Lescoop77** · 01-14-2005, 04:13 PM

Sounds like it's working for you, that's what matters. Just try leaving her at home a little over 3 hours every now and then...ease her into it. Eventually she will get used to it!

Good luck!

**Giselle** · 01-15-2005, 12:24 AM

jiena_drakon, please read my above post. It seems as if you've skimmed over it, because you'll notice that I explain WHY she destroys things. It probably is not a phase. It is probably a behavioural problem that *can* be fixed. You will find the answer above. I personally believe every dog should be alone trained. Nobody knows the circumstances ahead in our lives, and I sure have had to leave my dog alone for 8 hours at a time. I never plan on it, but it happens and alone training makes both my dog and I feel more secure.

**delidog** · 07-01-2005, 08:54 PM

Giselles' Solution is what I have done...And it Does Work!!!
With the Large Amount of Dogs being Stolen these days...See NBC Today...This Day..
I don't let My dogs out of My Sight
There was a Beautiful Bull terrier Puppy Stolen last week in my area....
Your Dog is Beautiful....and Wants to be Inside W/You....Please Let it Happen!!!!
Keep Us Pup-Dated!!!

**Pawsitive Thinking** · 07-12-2005, 09:23 AM

hehe naw I think just bringing her to work with me will have to do.. I've done the lock in the bathroom thing and well she ate the toilet seat and the cabinet and pulled up the floor tiles and ate the bottom of the door .. she is a monster but I love her..

She is a very lucky girl to have you put so much time and effort into her well being, her happiness is obviously most important to you