[buddy'smom]

We rescued a 4 year old lab/golden mix 6 months ago, to be a companion for our 8 year old doodle. They get along well, but Buddy (rescue dog) is not well behaved when we leave the house. He routinely pulls things off the counter, bookshelves, chews things, and is destructive. This behavior has been diagnosed as separation anxiety - he does not like it when we leave. He gets plenty of exercise, has plenty of chew toys and bones, and has a companion to play with. He does not mind a crate, but keeping him in one while we work (10 hours a day with a dog walker to break it up) seems counter-intuitive. Does anyone have any recommendations? Is there a way to crate train (at age 4?) to show him that he does not need to be anxious and we are coming back?

 

[Roxyrunner]

We have similar issues, but he is a bit different, in that he is SUPER ATTACHED TO ME! I don't know how or where to start my own thread. I've never Posted here. Just regularly read.

 

[[email protected]]

ok, so It was explained to me by a dog trainer when my dog was a puppy with sep angst that my puppy gets her confidence from me. She has not developed it within herself, therefore when I leave - so does her confidence. The aim is to build confidence within your dog/pup so they feel confident when your there but from within themself, equalling a confident dog when your not there. This takes time & a lot of thinking. A confident dog/pup builds confidence within themselves by a LOT of different things. Eg time, experiences & knowing theyre ok, stable environment, love & affection, knowing what to expect, knowing they can cope, etc etc I'm writing a book & I'll explain things in detail in it as there's a lot people want to know. But you can also try to make sure that those things mentioned above (confidence building) is at the best it can be when your not there before you leave. I also recommend a camera so you can check on whats hapening when your out. My one I can talk to my dog from the wifi smart cam thats connected to my phone.

 

[Francl27]

I'd still use the crate.