Dog thread!🐾

[Squawkers]

Maybe practice her being away from you by locking her in a different room for short periods of time and then rewarding her when you let her out? I’m not entirely sure (could that make it worse?) I have the same problem with Chase, but he never chews up anything or whines or barks while I’m gone so I haven’t worried about it. He sleeps by the door the whole time I’m gone and he never eats. Once I left for almost a week and he hadn’t eaten a thing the whole time. I don’t really think there is anything I could do for Chase, that’s just the way he is. Does Luna misbehave while you are gone?

 

[StinkyAcres]

Does Luna misbehave while you are gone?

Not usually, but rarely she will get into something she's not supposed to so we crate her when everyone leaves the house. When everyone in the house leaves she works herself up and panics until she is panting. She'll bark and whine and paw at the crate door, lie down for a few minutes, then get up and bark again. When her favorite people are gone (I being one of them) but other people are home with her she'll whine a little bit and is restless and very clingy with the other people.

Maybe practice her being away from you by locking her in a different room for short periods of time and then rewarding her when you let her out? I’m not entirely sure (could that make it worse?)

I can lock her in a different room and she'll be quiet but is very ready to come be with me when I open the door. I wouldn't want to reward that.

We worked on her separation anxiety a lot when she was young and she's still better than when she was a puppy.

 

[Squawkers]

Not usually, but rarely she will get into something she's not supposed to so we crate her when everyone leaves the house. When everyone in the house leaves she works herself up and panics until she is panting. She'll bark and whine and paw at the crate door, lie down for a few minutes, then get up and bark again. When her favorite people are gone (I being one of them) but other people are home with her she'll whine a little bit and is restless and very clingy with the other people.

I can lock her in a different room and she'll be quiet but is very ready to come be with me when I open the door. I wouldn't want to reward that.

We worked on her separation anxiety a lot when she was young and she's still better than when she was a puppy.

Ok, that makes sense. Chase isn’t like that, he just sleeps and ignores other people that are in the house (although sometimes he can be temperamental if they try to mess with him which is kind of worrying) yeah, that’s probably best not to reward that. I guess I was more thinking if she was barking. Like keep her in there until she stops and then rewarding her being quiet.

 

[StinkyAcres]

One of the things I'm struggling with is figuring out when I should and shouldn't give her attention. Even if she's been calm in the crate for a long time after I return home she gets very excited when I try to open it to let her out. I tell her down and only open it if she is in the down position, but she is obviously still too excited. Also, she lays down at my feet a lot. Should I tell her to move or should I ignore her?

 

[Squawkers]

One of the things I'm struggling with is figuring out when I should and shouldn't give her attention. Even if she's been calm in the crate for a long time after I return home she gets very excited when I try to open it to let her out. I tell her down and only open it if she is in the down position, but she is obviously still too excited. Also, she lays down at my feet a lot. Should I tell her to move or should I ignore her?

I don't know what is best, but have you tried tiring her out right before putting her in the crate? If so, what did she do? I'm just curious. I think not making a big deal when she follows you is important. Talking to her or trying to reassure her that she doesn't have to follow you makes it worse (although it doesn't sound like you are doing that)

 

[StinkyAcres]

I don't know what is best, but have you tried tiring her out right before putting her in the crate? If so, what did she do? I'm just curious. I think not making a big deal when she follows you is important. Talking to her or trying to reassure her that she doesn't have to follow you makes it worse (although it doesn't sound like you are doing that)

Tiring her out helps a little. She'll lie down more but never sleep while we're gone. BUT she is very smart and gets worried if the routine is changed. For example, if we need to leave in the early morning she gets very anxious if we are up and getting ready at that time. We have also tried this relaxation supplement (https://www.amazon.com/Zesty-Paws-Dog-Anxiety-Relief/dp/B08WDWQS4C?) and it seemed to work for a while but I'm thinking that she knows now that when she gets it it means she's going to be left alone.

 

[Squawkers]

Tiring her out helps a little. She'll lie down more but never sleep while we're gone. BUT she is very smart and gets worried if the routine is changed. For example, if we need to leave in the early morning she gets very anxious if we are up and getting ready at that time. We have also tried this relaxation supplement (https://www.amazon.com/Zesty-Paws-Dog-Anxiety-Relief/dp/B08WDWQS4C?) and it seemed to work for a while but I'm thinking that she knows now that when she gets it it means she's going to be left alone.

I was thinking maybe tiring her out and then putting her in the crate for a little bit and then only letting her out after she calms down. But I’m out of things. I’m assuming you have tried bones, puzzle toys, or peanut butter kongs? I have just accepted the way Chase is, but Luna sounds a lot worse. Sorry I’m no help

 

[StinkyAcres]

I was thinking maybe tiring her out and then putting her in the crate for a little bit and then only letting her out after she calms down. But I’m out of things. I’m assuming you have tried bones, puzzle toys, or peanut butter kongs? I have just accepted the way Chase is, but Luna sounds a lot worse. Sorry I’m no help

We have tried that. But my question is - what is calm enough? She'll fall asleep in the crate when she knows we're home, but when I go to open it she gets all excited again. And, yes, we've tried peanut butter Kongs (even frozen), but they didn't last long enough and I'm always afraid she's going to choke on food or toys when we're not there.

I appreciate you trying to help. I will continue to work on not paying attention to her when I return home, keeping her out of my bed and bedroom at night, and crate training. Like I said she's come a long way since she was young. She used to panic in her crate when I moved a few feet from her.

 

[Squawkers]

We have tried that. But my question is - what is calm enough? She'll fall asleep in the crate when she knows we're home, but when I go to open it she gets all excited again. And, yes, we've tried peanut butter Kongs (even frozen), but they didn't last long enough and I'm always afraid she's going to choke on food or toys when we're not there.

I appreciate you trying to help. I will continue to work on not paying attention to her when I return home, keeping her out of my bed and bedroom at night, and crate training. Like I said she's come a long way since she was young. She used to panic in her crate when I moved a few feet from her.

I think calm enough is progress. What ever you would consider better than the last time is good enough. If you even decide to do that. I was thinking putting her in the crate and then leaving the house, so it is more real.

 

[Squawkers]

I appreciate you trying to help. I will continue to work on not paying attention to her when I return home, keeping her out of my bed and bedroom at night, and crate training. Like I said she's come a long way since she was young. She used to panic in her crate when I moved a few feet from her.

This is totally just a guess, I don’t know, but maybe you are making it worse? You said that she gotten worse since you started the job, so maybe shutting her out and trying to be away from her just makes her want to be with you more?