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I have a 9 month old Miniature Pinscher. I got her when she 4 months old.
Now to the problem-
We've been trying to crate train her since we first got her but she STILL screams and cries when she's left alone in it. Since we live in an apartment this has to stop. We've already had one note left on our door from the neighbors.
I understand its seperation anxiety, but we've tried everything to stop this behavior. I leave the tv on, give her a toy and a bone in her cage, she always has food and water in there with her, ect... Since she's so young I'm not comfortable leaving her in the apartment alone outside her crate but I'm running out of ideas. I even tried a shock collar, even though I'm 100% against them, and took it back after the first try. I'm sorry, I just can't do that to a dog.
So now I'm desperate. Does anyone have ANY more ideas I could try??

>>I have a 9 month old Miniature Pinscher. I got her when she 4 months old.
>>Now to the problem-
>>We've been trying to crate train her since we first got her but she STILL screams and cries when she's left alone in it. Since we live in an apartment this has to stop. We've already had one note left on our door from the neighbors.
>>I understand its seperation anxiety, but we've tried everything to stop this behavior. I leave the tv on, give her a toy and a bone in her cage, she always has food and water in there with her, ect... Since she's so young I'm not comfortable leaving her in the apartment alone outside her crate but I'm running out of ideas. I even tried a shock collar, even though I'm 100% against them, and took it back after the first try. I'm sorry, I just can't do that to a dog.
>>So now I'm desperate. Does anyone have ANY more ideas I could try??

>>>>>>>>

Sometimes it's crate stress rather than separation anxiety. She can't do that much chewing at her size, so I guess you're afraid of housetraining accidents. If I were you, I'd stop crating her. You could either baby-gate a room for her--maybe the kitchen--or close a few doors to keep her out of certain rooms, or maybe she can handle the run of the place. A shock collar may very well have increased crate stress and other anxiety. A veterinary behavior specialist could help you, too, perhaps with medication.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Does your pooch get lots of exercise? You know what they say... a tired puppy is a good puppy!! If she were my dog I would take her for a nice long walk before leaving her in the crate alone. Then she will most likely be tuckered out and take a nap. And if it means getting up earlier, maybe you could just give it a shot for a few days and see how she responds. I have a Bloodhound mix who used to have terrible separation/crate anxiety and I was considering drugs (for me AND him- haha). But what I discovered was that after the addition of LONG walk every day, he calmed down tremendously and in all areas of life he has been a better dog ever since. I think that dogs really need that stimulation. That and a Kong filled with frozen yogurt... was the recipe for my dog's success!!!!
Hope that helps a little, I wish you best of luck!!!

>>I have a 9 month old Miniature Pinscher. I got her when she 4 months old.
>>Now to the problem-
>>We've been trying to crate train her since we first got her but she STILL screams and cries when she's left alone in it. Since we live in an apartment this has to stop. We've already had one note left on our door from the neighbors.
>>I understand its seperation anxiety, but we've tried everything to stop this behavior. I leave the tv on, give her a toy and a bone in her cage, she always has food and water in there with her, ect... Since she's so young I'm not comfortable leaving her in the apartment alone outside her crate but I'm running out of ideas. I even tried a shock collar, even though I'm 100% against them, and took it back after the first try. I'm sorry, I just can't do that to a dog.
>>So now I'm desperate. Does anyone have ANY more ideas I could try??

here is one:

Get a Kong toy (you may want to get more than one)... I use a medium one. Stuff it FULL of canned dog food... Freeze it over night. Just before you leave, give your dog the Kong, and let her get settled down in the crate with it.

Once she gets the idea she has to work for it, she may be content to work on that for a long time... and by the time she is done, she may be tired...

But the idea of wearing her out first is a GREAT one! Is she an only child? Maybe a buddy may be in order?