Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Alrighty,

I posted on the mixed breeds board about a month ago about a dog I had recently taken from a couple who could no longer care for him (they live in a small apt in NYC and he's way to active). Everything started out great, no real problems. The first night he had an accident then it would stop. Then, out of the blue he was going everywhere when I'd leave. After lots of thinking and talking to different people it has been decided that it is indeed a separation anxiety thing. He knows he's suppose to go outside, and when somebody's around he will. If anybody's home with him he'll hold it and hold it (we've tested to be sure he knows to hold it). But if I'm not home, even for ten minutes, he lets loose! We recently moved back in with my parents and the behavior stopped for about 2 weeks, but it's back again! We lock him and the other dogs in the mud room when we leave as the floor is cement and easier to clean. I have tried everything anybody has suggested! I've made the space small, I've bad the space big, I've given him company, I've tried leaving for a few minutes and coming back and extending the time. I had tried to crate him but he gets himself so sick over being in it he literally vomits and will still go to the bathroom and sit right in it! I know where he came from was NOT dirty, and they had him since he was a pup...and took VERY good care of him and their other pets. I'm stumped! We are putting up a fence for the yard so the dogs can stay outside and just go in when they feel like it through the doggy door, but it doesn't seem like that will be happening for another month or so. Not to mention this needs to be solved before it's to gross to let them outside all day. My family has just about had it as have I, and are threatening to bring him to the pound when I leave...the sad thing is I know they'll do it if it's not solved! I don't have the money right now for a trainer to come in, but am willing to try anything!!

Thanks!

>>Alrighty,
>>
>>I posted on the mixed breeds board about a month ago about a dog I had recently taken from a couple who could no longer care for him (they live in a small apt in NYC and he's way to active). Everything started out great, no real problems. The first night he had an accident then it would stop. Then, out of the blue he was going everywhere when I'd leave. After lots of thinking and talking to different people it has been decided that it is indeed a separation anxiety thing. He knows he's suppose to go outside, and when somebody's around he will. If anybody's home with him he'll hold it and hold it (we've tested to be sure he knows to hold it). But if I'm not home, even for ten minutes, he lets loose! We recently moved back in with my parents and the behavior stopped for about 2 weeks, but it's back again! We lock him and the other dogs in the mud room when we leave as the floor is cement and easier to clean. I have tried everything anybody has suggested! I've made the space small, I've bad the space big, I've given him company, I've tried leaving for a few minutes and coming back and extending the time. I had tried to crate him but he gets himself so sick over being in it he literally vomits and will still go to the bathroom and sit right in it! I know where he came from was NOT dirty, and they had him since he was a pup...and took VERY good care of him and their other pets. I'm stumped! We are putting up a fence for the yard so the dogs can stay outside and just go in when they feel like it through the doggy door, but it doesn't seem like that will be happening for another month or so. Not to mention this needs to be solved before it's to gross to let them outside all day. My family has just about had it as have I, and are threatening to bring him to the pound when I leave...the sad thing is I know they'll do it if it's not solved! I don't have the money right now for a trainer to come in, but am willing to try anything!!
>>
>>Thanks!
>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I believe that when a family is willing to give up a dog, the dog knows it. It just makes problems like separation anxiety worse. Perhaps you would want to consider placing this dog in a home with the resources to deal with the problem right now? I'm unclear as to your plans--are you going to move out and leave this dog with your family?
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

No no no....I have NO plans of leaving him here with them. I'm here on a temp basis because I'm currently between jobs and will be saving up to move across country with both him and my other dog (and cats). This will be the LAST resort and I won't let them take him away without a fight.

We separated the dogs while we were away at a bbq today. I left Diesel in the mud room, with my mom's eskie in her kennel back there with him. My other dog and our BC mix were left gaited in our downstairs (can't have run of the house because they jump all over the leather sofa when we're not home and have torn it). We came home without any messes from anybody so it was a real plus. As soon as I got in the door I let them all out in the yard with tons of praise. It was really exciting because it is the first time in weeks we have come home to a clean house.

The main reason I separated them was because Dunkin and Archie will chew things if locked in a single room, but with free roam they behave. I don't know if it was a coicidence that Diesel had no pottying problems, but I guess we'll see. Hopefully the praising got to him! I know people say you can't punish a dog if you don't see them do it because they have no idea why you're angry...I have to argue with this as any time I come home to an accident I don't say a word and which ever dog did it will cower knowing they did wrong...so I figure the praise may just work instead of me coming home and showing no emotion as I have been when there are accidents. I'm praying he'll put two and two together.

>>No no no....I have NO plans of leaving him here with them. I'm here on a temp basis because I'm currently between jobs and will be saving up to move across country with both him and my other dog (and cats). This will be the LAST resort and I won't let them take him away without a fight.
>>
>>We separated the dogs while we were away at a bbq today. I left Diesel in the mud room, with my mom's eskie in her kennel back there with him. My other dog and our BC mix were left gaited in our downstairs (can't have run of the house because they jump all over the leather sofa when we're not home and have torn it). We came home without any messes from anybody so it was a real plus. As soon as I got in the door I let them all out in the yard with tons of praise. It was really exciting because it is the first time in weeks we have come home to a clean house.
>>
>>The main reason I separated them was because Dunkin and Archie will chew things if locked in a single room, but with free roam they behave. I don't know if it was a coicidence that Diesel had no pottying problems, but I guess we'll see. Hopefully the praising got to him! I know people say you can't punish a dog if you don't see them do it because they have no idea why you're angry...I have to argue with this as any time I come home to an accident I don't say a word and which ever dog did it will cower knowing they did wrong...so I figure the praise may just work instead of me coming home and showing no emotion as I have been when there are accidents. I'm praying he'll put two and two together.
>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Come in CALMLY when you come home--no praise, no wild activity, no excited greeting, no scolding, just calm and no emotion. This is very important in helping eliminate separation anxiety, and separation anxiety is the cause of a lot of destructive behavior when people are out.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

I know everybody says to do the no emotion thing...I have been with no luck at all. But since that day there has been one accident and it was because my father was too lazy to take him out when he asked and he's not as....forgiving?....as the others are and won't hold it. But again...things are working!!

great photos! maybe the move will help, though it could add some stress at first. hope you'll be able to give all your pets a gradual adjustment.

how will you all get across the country? by car?

strange that he seemed better when your mom's eskie was crated nearby. you might work along those lines to help ease his anxiety. or what about those plug ins that exude some soothing scent?

wonder if he could have some chronic colitis or physical problem, doesn't really sound like it, but I guess its possible.

best wishes to you all for a good solution