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Hates the crate or separation anxiety?

2K views 12 replies 4 participants last post by  MarvelousMabel 
#1 ·
Hi guys! I recently posted about my puppy and her separation anxiety, but now I am wondering if the anxiety is fixed on the crate?
Basically her behaviour around the house resembles that of a velcro dog, although when I shower she doesn't whine at the door but will wait out there till I get out. Also, while I am getting ready for bed at night or getting ready in the morning I will close my bedroom door and she just sleeps on my bed until I come to get her.
Her behaviour is completely different in the crate. She hates being inside it, even when I am in view, although we have been working on staying in there for two minute sessions while she can see me over the past two days, and she has gone into it to lay down independently a couple of times for about 5 minutes each time.
I think her anxiety might be crate related, and I am thinking about giving her free reign of the living room and kitchen while I am gone. Any opinions on this would be appreciated :)
P. S. I am going to continue to have her sleep in the crate with the hope that I can transition her to sleep on the main floor instead of my bedroom.
 
#2 ·
Common problem.....separation anxiety is less common than most people think.....
I tend to think its usually just the dog being bratty. My current dog has been a velcro dog from day 1. Same things you described with yours, waiting outside doors, whining in the crate etc.
Keep working on impulse control and dont let the brattiness get the better of you
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply! I think she may just not like her crate after all, as I just tested my theory by walking to the mailbox (5 min trip) and instead of barking like mad, she simply sat by the door and whined. I cannot leave her for two minutes inside her crate even while I am in view, yet she was able to be left out of crate for 5 min without anyone in the house... Sounds like brattiness to me lol ? I'm going to take a slightly longer walk to the corner store (10 min) and see how she does then by filming her with my phone.
 
#4 ·
Lol when my current was younger he screamed like a banshee when left in his crate! He's very vocal all around though......
Fast forward a few months..... We just say " in your crate " and he practically flies in there and lays down.
Part of it is routine though. Same thing every weekday morning for months.
At this point he knows the routine and is good with it.
Just takes time your dog will get there
 
#5 ·
I have two puppies that sleep in crate because at this moment Sly and Siku they bawl LOL I say they are having a fit before going to sleep the only time they go in the kennel is a bed time. They are similar to a toddler crying because they don't want to sleep. I tell them to lay down they do and go to bed about ten minutes later I walk in the room and they are sound asleep :):) It just takes time your pup will start to understand :):):)
 
#6 ·
We've found that from time to time it helps to go back to the original training techniques that helped him get comfortable with his crate in the first place. This includes giving him meals in his crate, giving him treats in the crate and basically praising him anytime he goes in there. All positive vibes when he goes in and is actually in there will help regain confidence in the crate!
 
#7 ·
Yesterday was her third night sleeping in the crate again and she settled down after ten minutes! There's already an improvement in her behaviour towards it. During the day has not been going as well, as she is pretty reluctant to enter, it's been slow going but I think we will get her there. She's also not destructive when left alone so I'm not worried about leaving her in the living room gated off if that's makes her less anxious!
 
#11 ·
So last night she did pretty terribly, as she woke up at 3 am and would not stop barking for a good hour, woke up my entire family and I'm pretty sure the neighbours. We live in a townhouse and have to be very mindful about noise... I'm seriously starting to doubt this crate thing, I know it's only been four days but I work fairly early in the morning and waking up multiple times a night for long periods is killing me.
 
#12 ·
There is another option.....you said this dog is around 7-8 months old correct?
By that age my dogs arent in crates anymore at all.....just my preference:)
As far as at night, you could put dog bed next to your bed on floor. ....then leash tether to foot of bed or whatever heavy furniture is there to keep the dog from leaving its bed. I personally only use the crate until theyre fully housebroken and wont chew up my stuff. At this point I do use a tether for awhile at night just until the dog learns not to leave its bed until morning.
Just another option....
 
#13 ·
There is another option.....you said this dog is around 7-8 months old correct?
By that age my dogs arent in crates anymore at all.....just my preference

As far as at night, you could put dog bed next to your bed on floor. ....then leash tether to foot of bed or whatever heavy furniture is there to keep the dog from leaving its bed. I personally only use the crate until theyre fully housebroken and wont chew up my stuff. At this point I do use a tether for awhile at night just until the dog learns not to leave its bed until morning.
Just another option....
That is what I think we will be doing from now on, as she hates her crate so much and she isn't displaying any anxious behaviour unless put in the crate, even when we leave her alone. She's potty trained and only chews toys so I'm not too worried!
 
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