Separation anxiety

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Hi - I got my dog only just over a month ago. He is a 22 month old shih tzu. He was with his first owner until 8 months, and his second until December when I got him. The previous owner said he was fine when she was out, but she did have another shih tzu, so he was never really alone. Whenever I go out, even if it's just to the bins, he barks and gets distressed. I've tried him in the kitchen, but he managed to get up to the surfaces somehow and destroyed the kitchen!! Lol. So I was recommended to use a crate. However he is so distressed in the crate that he has in just a half dozen times on his own bent approximately a third of the bars really badly trying to escape. He barks the whole time I'm out (the longest has been 2 hours). It was suggested that I try building up the amount of time he was in the crate while I was at home, with him having his Kong in there with him, but as when I'm out he's far too upset to show any interest in the Kong, and he is still desperately trying to escape and barking, even when I'm in the room, and even when I only put him in for two minutes. I'm at the point of thinking he's obviously more distressed by the crate than anything, and so I think I may have to abandon that. He's fine in his small dog (plastic cat style) carrier in the car, so it's not the size of the crate, which is a reasonable size, as the car one is only as big as him really! He also poo's and wee's in the crate even though he's only just been before I go out. When I come back him and the crate are in a right mess because he's spread it around nicely for me!! I am at a loss as to what to do. I don't want him to destroy my sitting room, but at the same time, I don't want him to be this distressed every time I go out. Consequently I'm now just avoiding going out altogether - not the answer I know, but it's where things are at. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Oh, and he's wearing an Adaptil collar (the pheromones one) - it hasn't helped with the crate issue though, although it has helped him in other ways.

 

[gypsysmum]

He sounds as though he has very severe separation distress. This is awful for the dog. I, too, would abandon the crate.

How is he in the car? Some dogs find cars much less stressful for being left in. This is, possibly, because we ignore them most of the time they are in it and we pop in and out of the car without any fuss. They, therefore, learn to be independent.

In view of the severity of your problem I would contact, urgently, a member of COAPE or the APDT to come out and assess the situation in person and give you detailed advice on how to get him over this problem. It is possible to work with dogs who suffer in this way but it does take quite a lot of commitment. I am sure you are up to it

In the meantime, is there a safe place he could be left or could you use a friend/relative/dog sitter to give you a chance to go out? Of course if he settles in the car then you could use the car as a safe haven for him in the meantime (weather permitting). As long as he fits in the small crate it will be ok to leave him in it for short periods as he will probably curl up and go to sleep.

Dog behaviourists like to see video footage of dogs when they are left. If you could be organising that it would help them when they come out.

Adaptil is good and you can also buy sprays and room diffusers.

 

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Thanks for your reply - I tried him in the living room, having removed all that really matters to me. He was much better than in the kitchen or the crate. He still barked (don't know if whole time I was out as my neighbour wasn't in either to ask), and he still poo'd and wee'd, but he was far less distressed on my return, and he hadn't destroyed anything. I don't know what the organisations you mention are, but I started training classes with him last week and the dog trainer there gave me some advice, which was helpful and I'm now trying. I think it's just going to take time I guess - I'm his third owner in his short 22 month life - he's going to take a while to be sure I'm always going to come back I guess. Thanks

 

[gypsysmum]

Thank you for the update. Some dogs are better with the free run of the house, though this is a huge risk.

Can you share what your trainer has advised that you do?

COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology) hold a register of all their, well qualified, behaviourists. You can go on their website and choose one local to you.

I meant to type APBC (Association of Pet Behaviour Therapists). They are much the same as above. Most qualified behaviourists belong to one or other of these organisations.

The main focus of treatment will be to teach your dog to be relaxed when left alone. This involves slowly building up his self confidence so that he copes better when alone.

If he continues to toilet when you go out do be very careful not to let your, understandable, exasperation show when you find it. Some dogs hold on to their toilet in order to go when safely left alone. If he is doing this, because of being chastised, perhaps, in the past, then picking up your, understandable, frustration will only serve to make him do it more.

You might like to sing a little song to yourself when you find a mess so that he thinks you are not cross and he does not need to wait for you to go out in order to be safe when he toilets.

Try to take him out, each time, for his toilets and be very, very happy when he goes. Give him a treat immediately he goes. It never hurts to go right back to basics with toilet training