New Puppy with Separation Anxiety

HELP!!!! We recently purchased a puppy (a boxer) from a less than reputable breeder - we seen the ad in the paper and went to see the puppies - I was disgusted with how the pups were being kept and felt sorry for this little guy so we bought him (I know we should have just walked away but couldn't).

Anywho, we took him to the vet immediately to make sure he was okay. He had numerous issues such as parasites, fleas, a hernia. After 6 weeks of good care and good food he is doing great - has gained 12 lbs since we got him - he is going to be a big boy.

Well, my initial question is about separation anxiety - this is the first puppy I have raised that will not adjust to being crated. When I crate him he gets sooo upset that he foams at the mouth and howls - he just can't calm himself down. We have opted to confine him in the kitchen with a baby gate when we can't be home and he seems to do pretty good in there. He will give us trouble when he first senses that we are leaving but I try to divert his attention with a toy or treat.

My problem is that I would much prefer to get him trained to stay in the crate while we are gone - any suggestions from anyone or should I just leave him be in the kitchen and resign myself to the fact that he will never be a crated dog??

Your thoughts on this.

Thank you.

I just watched a show on Dogs 101: Puppies the other week. It said when you're bringing home a puppy, to bring home a blanket from the breeder that they used to lay on, that way it's easier for them to adjust. They also said to put something with your scent in the crate, that way he has his old scent that he's used to, and a new scent that he'll get used to.

I'm not sure if this has actually worked, but other than that I wouldn't know what to say.

if he starts to act up when you leave him and respond to it, he will learn that doing that will get you to let him out. dont fall for it. ignore him and he'll soon learn that he cant get your attention that way. and only let him out when he has calmed down and quieted.

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Originally Posted by Elise.m

I just watched a show on Dogs 101: Puppies the other week. It said when you're bringing home a puppy, to bring home a blanket from the breeder that they used to lay on, that way it's easier for them to adjust. They also said to put something with your scent in the crate, that way he has his old scent that he's used to, and a new scent that he'll get used to.

I'm not sure if this has actually worked, but other than that I wouldn't know what to say.

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a new scent from you, the new owner. like a shirt or sock you wore that day.

The breeders house was soooo disgusting I wouldn't want to bring anything home from that environment - it was full of fleas - yuck!!!!

His reaction to the crate was beyond anything I've seen before with other puppies - it wasn't just the crying and whining - it went way beyond that to the point of foaming at the mouth and literally chewing the metal crate in an attempt to get out - I just couldn't stand by and ignore that - I had to react and take him out.

From what I have read - it seems that he was taken from his mother way too early - which I already knew but the loser breeder was just pushing them out the door to make a buck -very sad situation.

I am managing his separation anxiety with utilizing the kitchen to confine him but was wondering if anyone else has dealt with this.

He is very smart - basically already potty trained by 12 weeks. It is just the anxiety at being separated from us that is our big dilema.

Try leaving a clothing item you've worn the previous day with him while you're gone. It might help.

Thanks. I will leave a used shirt with him tomorrow when I leave for work. I also give him a "kong" filled with peanut butter - this tends to distract him for awhile.

I've just ordered another book on the subject also - I am eager to learn all I can to alleviate his anxiety.

Thanks for your help.

the mistake you're making is that when he senses that you're leaving, you give him a toy or treat. this teaches him that if he acts up as you're leaving, he is rewarded by a toy or treat. the key to beating separation anxiety is COMPLETELY, and 100% avoiding them while leaving your house, or returning to your house. if the dog comes to the door as you get home, ignore him completely, no pets, don't make eye contact, or even talk to him until you have gotten home, hung up your jacket, took off your shoes, etc. and when you're leaving, don't say bye or give them a rub or a treat.

if you do, you are telling them that you leaving is a big deal that they should fuss about, because YOU fuss about it by giving them treats and pets and saying goodbye.

if the kitchen is doing well for him now, leave it at that before you try the crate again. he probably needs a little while to settle into his new (good) home before you will be successful with crate training.

I would simply leave the crate open , within the kitchen. And try to make it inviting. maybe you could tie a piece of rawhide somewhere inside. DO not force him in. If he will get in it on his own his whole attitude about it may change.
I can really really feel. About 16 years ago I got a farm puppy. While I don't believe c.j. (the dog) was removed from momma to soon, I know she was out in a barn for 8 weeks, with little human interaction. She was the MOST FREAKED OUT DOG I'd ever seen. She got better but literally, she was always a headache, till the age of 12 when she had to be put down due to brain cancer. I loved her and I called her my box of rocks.
The other suggestion that I would make is start getting her out on a leash and get her leash trained as soon as you can. Activity more than anything in the world seems to help dogs with psychological issues.
I have an invisible fence and once the training is done, it is the BOMB. We love it. Is there a kennel or something outside she could stay in during the day?

Here are some articles to get you started:

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/sep-anxiety.pdf

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/crate-train.pdf

If you want to PM me I can give you some more info and possibly refer you to someone who can help, I am in Michigan too.

Leave the crate open in the kitchen while you are using the baby gate. From now on, feed him in his crate (leave the door open). Make sure the crate has a comfy cushion or blanket and some stuffed toys (if he likes those). The Kong is also a good idea. He will probably eventually learn that the crate is not a terrible place to be.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond with some helpful suggestions.

He doesn't seem to hate the crate - he will go in and out of it with toys but I just can't lock him in it.

I do think I will move the crate back into the kitchen so he can spend more time in there of his own volition.

I am a fan of the "kong" - at least if I give that to him before he freaks out - it tends to occupy him while I make my exit.

To "emmastaff" I will PM you to get the name of the professional you know just in case this issues continues when he gets a little older.

He's getting anxious because he sees himself as the leader of his pack, which consists of YOU. Because of his dominant state, he is responsible for his pack and when you leave, he sees himself as failing to keep HIS pack safe. Thus, the way to cure this behavioral issue is to instill yourself as pack leader, the dominant one in the house.

To do this, I recommend watching The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. An acquaintance of mine has an adult boxer who is wonderful because he implements Cesar Millan's techniques, and a friend has a siberian husky who is a great dog because she uses these techniques.

Thanks Abuja, I ordered the DVD's of Ceasar Millan and ordered his monthly magazine. I do plan to implement some of his direction.

I wonder why it is just this puppy that is acting like this - over my life span I have raised up 4 puppies and never had issues with them and they were all treated the same way as this one.

I do tend to treat my dogs as my babies and I know that the professionals say that is a bad thing - but that is just the sort of person I am and my other Boxer who is 8 now has never had any issues with being pampered and adored.

Dogs can also be claustrophobic (sp?) believe it or not. I work in Rescue and have seen dogs that will totally freak out if they have to walk past someone in a hallway because it's just too close. I have seen dogs that just cannot be crated. If he is doing okay in the kitchen if you need to go out, it doesn't sound like Seperation Anxiety or he would be freaking out just as badly in the gated kitchen, trying to chew his way out, climb over, anything to get to you. There is a group on yahoo that is comprised of owners of anxiety dogs and rescue volunteers that may come in contact with anxiety dogs. Some of these people are rehabilitating completely feral dogs that have shut down completely in a home situation (curled up in a corner, too afraid to move at all for weeks). These people have a huge amount of experience with real life situations and are about positive reinforcement training. The group has Vets and Certified Behaviorists as well. There are members from all over, so they should be able to recommend pros in your area if you are interested. You are welcome to PM me and I'll send you the link.

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Originally Posted by L.West

Thanks Abuja, I ordered the DVD's of Ceasar Millan and ordered his monthly magazine. I do plan to implement some of his direction.

I wonder why it is just this puppy that is acting like this - over my life span I have raised up 4 puppies and never had issues with them and they were all treated the same way as this one.

I do tend to treat my dogs as my babies and I know that the professionals say that is a bad thing - but that is just the sort of person I am and my other Boxer who is 8 now has never had any issues with being pampered and adored.

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It's fine to treat your dogs sweetly and with adoration, but here's a tip: When you tell them to do something, stay at your level and don't step down to them.

Also, the fact none of your other dogs have reacted this way is probably because your previous puppies were more submissive in nature and this one probably has a streak of dominance.