Quick update

[pandapropaganda]

Haven't posted much in a while...let's see what's up.

Sparky's separation anxiety has gotten a little out of hand. He almost inevidibly acts up whenever he's left alone. We've taken measures to make it hard for him to get into the garbage and the recycling so he took to getting into the pantry. Last week he pulled out a bag of flour and ripped it

Comments

[angelsong]

Have you guys tried crating Sparky if you're going to be gone for a bit? Sounds like you should talk to a trainer or your vet, so that Sparky and you guys can get through this. :-(

[pandapropaganda]

I don't want to keep him in a crate if I'm gonna be out for like 3 hours. That just seems mean. It's usually his "time out" place where he's put after we come home and the damage is done. I'm a new dog owner and Andy says he didn't used to act up THIS much before I came home. I think he's really afraid I'm going to leave for a prolonged period of time again. Before that Andy's ex abandoned him when she left. He's a troubbled little pup.

Andy's brought up the crate while we're out idea but I'm too much of a softie for that cute little face of his. He doesn't have a trainer, Sparky's an older little dog 9ish I think. He should know better.

[angelsong]

Actually being in a crate for 3 hours, is not bad at all. Crates are supposed to be used as comfort place, never to be used for punishment. Lots of people crate train their dogs by doing positive reinforcement for them to be in there, dogs like the cave like dwelling and they feel safe when they are in there. If he's cool and comfortable being in the crate it's a much safe and better place for him to be in, rather than acting out and possibly harming himself horribly by getting into chemicals or something else toxic. With training (yes, even at 9 years old) you guys can alleviate some of the anxiety he's having or at least have the vet give him something for his anxiety so he's not so unhappy when you're not there. Training is really key, do some reading up on anxiety and crate training, and I bet you'll find some really good advice. Trust me, I grew up around dogs, and they all had issues as they were rescues, and it wasn't until I got my own dogs as an adult did I learn how to work with behavioral problems.

[pandapropaganda]

He hates the crate. He either whines or scratches at the door for ages to be let out. However it might be what we have to do. We put him in the crate when we made a quick grocery store visit yesterday because before we had even been out long enough to lock the front door we heard him going for the garbage. So perhaps we can change our strategy and make him gradually get used to being in there without freaking out.

[dan10things]

Crating actually makes dogs less anxious, it brings brings out their cave/den instincts. We crate Charis for traveling, when staying at other people's houses, sometimes in the garage at the cabin when there are other dogs, and her parents leave it open in their garage when they dogsit and she usually sleeps in it.

But yeah, I'm a big fan of limiting a pets options if they are acting bad. Close all doors a cupboards or even consider leaving them in one room. Make sure all garbage and food is unattainable. You guys also might consider doggy downers or doggy aspirin, that kind of behavior is out of nervousness.

[pandapropaganda]

Sparky have cave instincts he just usually burrows under blankets and hates the crate. We're going to get a better dog proof garbage when we can and I think child-proof the pantry Speaking of which, I love sparky but being a dog owner really reinforces how much I don't want to have children.

[dan10things]

"being a dog owner really reinforces how much I don't want to have children"

I'm with you there!

[angelsong]

Lots of people make the mistake of crating their dogs when they are behaving badly...if you want him to like the crate, I would reward him with treats for just even stepping in there for a few seconds. He needs to learn this is a safe place to hang, not for being a bad pooch. I crate trained Bogart when I first rescued him, and would put safe toys in there with him like a Kong toy that I would put peanutbutter in and freeze...it would take him a while to finish that. Also, you probably need to make it less eventful for Sparky when you guys are coming and going. When arriving home, don't even pet him at the door, remain calm and low speaking voice, and when you leave the house don't make a big deal of it either. Definitely cat/dog proof the cabinets and/or fridge.