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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 1:08:50 AM

cyberdude611

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This site has a number of tips and things you can try out for this problem...

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/separation_anxiety.html

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 4:45:38 AM

Twicehappy2x

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I had a cat with a similiar problem. This worked for me.

Establish a "den" for him first.

Does your spare room have a tv? Make a video tape of you talking to him or doing things he would hear as daily routine, then when you have to leave just put it on for him in the same area you establish his den.

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 11:22:57 AM

LotusSong

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Alumbrado

Two things will make a dog feel secure... their pack, and a lair. Clearly your dog has established his place in your pack, so the departure of pack members is going to be a problem, since he has no clue as to whether anyone is ever coming back.

Other than his favorite blanket, what have you done to recreate a den or lair for him to use while you are gone?
I haven't done crate training on an adult dog, but he needs some comfort, and an empty house or even room is not it for a dog.

IMHO, there aren't going to be any shorcuts, and people logic will not apply.
Be prepared to be ruthless in the name of heading off bigger problems later, and get your dog used to your departure by providing him with a crate, and sticking him in it while you leave...and do NOT give in to a pitiful performance by coming back... that would be the dog training you, instead of the other way around.

And may I add that you keep his favorite things from him and place them in his crate with the door open when you are home. Then when you go, lock him in WITH them as a reward.

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 1:37:10 PM

BitaTruble

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~FR~

I wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful ideas to help me with Hobo. We turned our downstairs extra room into 'his' room with his favorite blanket and toys. We tried popping in a video tape of me talking to him (thank you 2x for the idea), but he was supremely uninterested. I guess I'm too boring

, BUT, he was ok for about 15 mins in that room all by himself before he started to pout and whine. He didn't bark though, so that's a major step. We let him cry for about 10 mins then joined him in the room and just sat with him basically ignoring him and talking to each other and he seemed fine with that. After about 10 mins sitting in there with him, we left again and left him in the room by himself (windows open and stuff) and he didn't make a peep for about an hour. After that he started to bark and scratch at the door so we let him out and played with him for a long time and then he came upstairs and fell asleep while we watched some boob tube.

A good first effort and just a few minor scratches on the door for damage. We're going to work on this part before we tackle the food issue. Himself has nixed the crate idea because he doesn't want the dog trapped in case there's a fire or something, but the room seems to be working (so far, fingers crossed!) and we'll see how it goes. We leave the screen door closed and know he can get through it in the case of an emergency since he's almost gone through it several times just trying to get the cat next door or the rabbits that hop in the backyard.

Thanks again, everyone, for the ideas!

Celeste

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 2:00:43 PM

MHOO314

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Bita, get him a baby doll that makes noise or when you leave, put the radio on---keeps the silence from being so deafening--the baby doll kicks in the instinct of protection and gives him a "job".

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 2:03:41 PM

kajiramre

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Bita, this is something to definitely talk to your vet about. There are drugs available that help with the stress of separation anxiety WHILE you work on behaviour modification.
My dog was very destructive while i was gone. I got a plastic VariKennel and tried to crate her in it (she was a year or two old then). It didn't work as she just chewed it apart.   When I moved in August, 2004, I didn't want her tearing my new place apart, so I bought a metal crate at Wal-Mart for about $60. She was about 8 yrs old at this time.The difference in the dog is unbelievable. That is her place. The crate stays in the living room with the door open. She spends probably 3/4 of her time in it.. whether I'm home or not.. If she gets scared, that's where she heads. It gives her comfort. When I leave, she stays in it with her food and water. She begins to bark when she here's my car pull into the driveway. She used to bark constantly while I was gone (per my neighbors), but doesn't anymore.

It sounds like you are making a good start on your behaviour modification, but I wouldn't treat if he's scratching at the door as that is reinforcing the wrong behaviour.   I would have praised him thoroughly when he was quiet. You want to reward the good behaviour and ignore the behaviours that you don't want.

Either way, your vet can give you lots of good information to help with this subject as it is fairly common.   Behaviour is starting to become a bigger area of veterinary medicine. I would guess that this behaviour is probably a big part of why he's had so many homes in the past. People's first instinct is to get mad and punish the animal when they are destructive or noisy, and that's about the worst thing you can do.

Good luck..

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 2:41:34 PM

windchymes

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Bita, congrats on the new doggie, I'm so glad he's found his "forever" home! To have someone care so much about him, he's hit the jackpot this time! :)

For what it's worth, I had a dog with TERRIBLE separation anxiety, but he did finally outgrow it when he got to be about 3. Even the crate didn't settle him down...he actually flipped it on its side several times and managed to actually break and bend a couple of the metal bars trying to escape. We still kept him in it to preserve the house, because he would literally destroy it if left alone and loose.

Anyway....it sounds as though he's still very young. Hopefully, over time he'll lose the insecurity and settle down. While pit bulls are wonderful pets, they can be on the high-strung side, especially when they're young. Also, a Dog Whisperer tip :).......rather than 3 or 4 short walks, take him on a couple of longer walks, at least 45 minutes to an hour long. That sort of sends the endorphins to his brain and mellows him out better than the shorter walks do. And, check around for one of those backpacks made for dogs and let him carry a couple of liter bottles of water along with you when you walk with him. Seriously! It makes him expend extra energy, and it gives him a "job" to do (pits bulls are a working breed, they need "jobs" to do for their own peace of mind...he'll feel useful and important!). If you can, ride a bicycle and let him trot along beside you. That will really give him a good workout. It's important that they walk or trot along at a good steady pace and not spend the entire walk straining on the leash and trying to sniff and pee on everything. Make him walk along beside you at a steady pace

See if you can find Dog Whisperer Season I DVD's in your video store or library, or else tivo the series. You'll find a lot of amazing information that I think would really help you. Good luck! You're awesome! :)

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 3:31:24 PM

Alumbrado

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quote:

While pit bulls are wonderful pets, they can be on the high-strung side, especially when they're young.

That is the exact opposite of everything I've learned about them in the last 35+ years since my family started breeding them. Energetic yes, but high strung as in nervous? No.

Where are you getting your information?

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 4:51:17 PM

BitaTruble

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~FR to several posts~

We do turn the tv on for him though he seems pretty content to just sit at the sliding glass door and look outside.

The dog is not destructive or high-strung, just needy (oh and he's 4 1/2 years old) and is very good at only chewing on doggy approved toys & rawhides. He's never gone after clothes, furniture or shoes and I think that's because of the amount of exercise/attention he gets. His first walk in the morning is about an hour long, then two or three 20 min. walks the rest of the day (depending on the weather) plus a couple of hours of play time/attention on a daily basis. (Fetching, keep away, doggy massage etc).

He's doing okay in the room but I can't let him scratch and bark at the door and ignore the behavior or I won't have a door left, so I do have to go in and distract him from it and generally a pat and redirecting him to the window works for a while. After about 20 mins or so, if he's been really good, Himself or I have been going into the room and telling him what a good boy he is so we're trying to reinforce the positive while preventing the negative, although we can't ignore it either. We'll get it balanced. I'm already so happy that he's taken to the room and been able to be by himself even though we haven't attempted to actually leave him alone in the house yet. Okay, so it's only been few times in the room by himself but since he's 'never' been happy alone, that's a vast step in the right direction!

I love the bike idea and will speak to Himself about it. I can't ride a bike, but I think Himself can and that may be an option to allow him to run a bit more than I can do for him although he's in peak physical condition so I'm not really concerned about that part of his health. It's his mental state that's the trouble here.

I really like the idea of giving him a 'job' and he's already a wonderful watch dog, but maybe babysitting a dolly will kick in his job skills and help keep him calm when he's alone. He 'is' the baby, so maybe if he has a baby of his own, he won't be such a baby anymore! ::grins::

Thanks again everyone and Hobo thanks you, too.

Celeste

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 4:54:43 PM

windchymes

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I meant high-strung as very energetic and active, needing a place to run and a lot of exercise, especially the first few years of their lives. Not aggressive and nervous, no. Sorry about the miscommunication, maybe it was a bad choice of words. And this comes from my however many years of personal experience with various owners, working with veterinarians, studying some dog psychology, and volunteering at a shelter helping prepare dogs to be "adoptable". The ones who got pit bull puppies and expected them to stay in crates all day and be quiet and well-behaved without proper training and exercise found themselves with a lot more dog than they could handle.

If you look in any shelter, you'll find a large percentage of pit bulls and pit bull mixes there compared to other breeds, and most of those dogs relinquished over to them, as bita's was, were given up simply because the owner couldn't handle them. They're some of the hardest dogs to find homes for because of their reputation. Many communities have "vicious dog" rules, banning "aggressive" breeds such as pit's, rottweilers and German shepherds. My own township has really strict laws. It's really unfortunate.

Read what I wrote carefully, I'm not saying I agree with the reputation they have, quite the opposite. They're one of my favorite breeds. I think they're the most misunderstood breed out there and it breaks my heart when I hear how many of them are euthanized every year, simply because they don't have a place to go.

They're smart dogs, and strong, and very athletic. They're not for everyone, only a responsible and committed owner.

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 5:02:17 PM

WinsomeDefiance

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My Pit Bull is a total sweetheart. I used to bring him to work with me when he was a puppy to socialize him, and the mailman, ups/fed ex delivery workers would bring him treats every day.

He gets excited, and aggressive at times but he's not at all highstrung (unless he hears my car keys. Then he's all over the place ready for a ride). He's very laid back, to the point of laziness and loves people. Unless you move in a suspicious, furtive manner. Just about anyone can walk boldly into my home without a bark from him, but try and sneak in? Not happening.

I know the bad press the breed gets, but I've never known a sweeter animal.

< Message edited by WinsomeDefiance -- 8/29/2007 5:03:16 PM >

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 5:07:08 PM

WinsomeDefiance

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PS, I know what you meant windchymes. My post wasn't in response to yours. I just like to brag on my big boy. The only problem I have with Gabriel, besides his separation anxiety, is he thinks he's a lapdog. Way more dog, than I have lap for.

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 5:10:35 PM

SDFemDom4cuck

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Bita, you can try some temporary plexiglass/plastic affixed at Hobo level to the door. He'll still be able to scratch but won't do any damage to the door itself while you're in the process of training him not to scratch.

If you can't get a live doggie companion how about an oversized stuffed one?

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 5:56:49 PM

BitaTruble

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quote:

ORIGINAL: SDFemDom4cuck

Bita, you can try some temporary plexiglass/plastic affixed at Hobo level to the door. He'll still be able to scratch but won't do any damage to the door itself while you're in the process of training him not to scratch.

If you can't get a live doggie companion how about an oversized stuffed one?

Two great ideas, Ms Jo! Thank you. :)

Celeste

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 6:41:29 PM

windchymes

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quote:

ORIGINAL: WinsomeDefiance

PS, I know what you meant windchymes. My post wasn't in response to yours. I just like to brag on my big boy. The only problem I have with Gabriel, besides his separation anxiety, is he thinks he's a lapdog. Way more dog, than I have lap for.

He sounds awesome :) My friend has one named Brando and I dog-sit him for her when they go out of town. It's funny, he won't let the cleaning lady in when she comes each week, but I can walk right in her house anytime and he remembers me, even if I haven't been over there for several months. He's just a big schweetie. But when he doesn't get proper exercise, he's like a tightly wound spring, look out, lol.

My niece has a gigundus pit/boxer mix who is equally lovable. When another dog in the household had puppies, he positioned himself in the doorway of the room and let everyone in except the father of the pups, who was likely to hurt them if allowed in. We still call him Uncle Gunner.

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 6:42:49 PM

WinsomeDefiance

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There's also Koroguard, which is a covering that comes in many different thickness, colors and styles that can be used to protect your doors and walls. We've sold it to vets and hospitals. Though plexiglass is by far the cheaper course!

Stuffed animals - if your dog chews like mine does - means you'll be picking up a lot of stuffing. My dog loves his stuffies, but he's messier than my boys.

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 7:21:25 PM

windchymes

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I haven't known a pit bull yet who didn't love his squeaky toy, lol

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 8:47:08 PM

BitaTruble

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quote:

ORIGINAL: WinsomeDefiance

There's also Koroguard, which is a covering that comes in many different thickness, colors and styles that can be used to protect your doors and walls. We've sold it to vets and hospitals. Though plexiglass is by far the cheaper course!

We'll check that product out, for sure. Thanks for the tip.

quote:

Stuffed animals - if your dog chews like mine does - means you'll be picking up a lot of stuffing. My dog loves his stuffies, but he's messier than my boys.

Good point! He goes through a tennis ball a day so a stuffed animal would be toast in short order. lol

Celeste

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/29/2007 10:46:37 PM

SDFemDom4cuck

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I hadn't thought about the tear it to shreds aspect. Mr Ben didn't do that, but then the big giant stuffed cow usually wore one of my tshirts so that might have been it. Just a big companion to cuddle with that smelled like me.

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Or wantoned with a Bone -

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RE: Dog: Insecure pet problem - 8/30/2007 9:09:06 AM

Alumbrado

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quote:

ORIGINAL: windchymes

I meant high-strung as very energetic and active, needing a place to run and a lot of exercise, especially the first few years of their lives. Not aggressive and nervous, no. Sorry about the miscommunication, maybe it was a bad choice of words. And this comes from my however many years of personal experience with various owners, working with veterinarians, studying some dog psychology, and volunteering at a shelter helping prepare dogs to be "adoptable". The ones who got pit bull puppies and expected them to stay in crates all day and be quiet and well-behaved without proper training and exercise found themselves with a lot more dog than they could handle.

If you look in any shelter, you'll find a large percentage of pit bulls and pit bull mixes there compared to other breeds, and most of those dogs relinquished over to them, as bita's was, were given up simply because the owner couldn't handle them. They're some of the hardest dogs to find homes for because of their reputation. Many communities have "vicious dog" rules, banning "aggressive" breeds such as pit's, rottweilers and German shepherds. My own township has really strict laws. It's really unfortunate.

Read what I wrote carefully, I'm not saying I agree with the reputation they have, quite the opposite. They're one of my favorite breeds. I think they're the most misunderstood breed out there and it breaks my heart when I hear how many of them are euthanized every year, simply because they don't have a place to go.

They're smart dogs, and strong, and very athletic. They're not for everyone, only a responsible and committed owner.

Thanks for the clarification, my experience with them (and with people) agrees totally with what you've posted here.
Crate training has been a great tool, but it should never be seen as a substitute for a knowledgable owner devoting their time to raising a dog properly.
And some breeds will wear out an unwary prospective owner.

I'm a big fan of the 'Why a (XYZ breed) may not be for you' warnings many groups are posting on the web now.

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