OES poops in the house to spite me
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| If she has severe separation anxiety, she simply can't control herself. I know first hand what you're going through.
Here is a link that explains separation anxiety and possible medical treatment if it's really bad. We had to use medication for about a year because it was REALLY bad. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Conten ... C=0&A=1502 We were Panda's 3rd home not to mention a month at a humane society by the age of 10 months. We believe she had also been over-crated so WE had to get rid of the crate too. She was a dog that knew absolutely no limits... she was like a 12 week old puppy in a 10 month old body. She pooped on the chaise lounge and bed, peed on the floor, drooled terribly, howled forlornly, was a notorious counter surfer and she was destructive. Should I mention the destroyed yet-to-be-installed car starter, 4 purses, 2 pairs of boots, etc. We couldn't even have a closed door between us for several months or she'd immediately do something naughty. I guess I'm telling you all of this because after about 1 1/2 years, she's probably 95% better... so there is definitely hope. 
Here are a few things you might try... We had the problem with the crate too so we selected a room with tile floors and this became her "crate" when we left. We even went so far as to put a Dutch door in so it didn't feel so closed in. Make sure it's a puppy-proof room where there is no garbage can and nothing that could cause her harm if she gets into it. I have to emphasize this because we selected the kitchen (wrong room!). Panda ate an entire bunch of bananas (learned to peel them along the way) and an entire cantaloupe including the rind. She turned the stove burner on when we left, pulled a pot of cooled water off the stove and drank it. Sigh. Exercise her before you leave (as long as it's not right after she eats because of the bloat risk). A tired dog will have burned off some of that nervous energy. Take a kong, stuff it with food that's REALLY good and possibly soft and freeze it. You want her to work to get it out of the food toy. Give it to her just before going out the door. When you leave, do not say anything to her and don't even look at her... just leave. Leave either the TV or radio on... we leave the Weather Channel on because there's a lot of talking. Panda has 5 "sisters" and I thought that would have helped but I was wrong. They did not ease her suffering in ANY way. She had to have her humans. She still, on occasion, has her moments but it's no where near as bad. She is now allowed to stay in the living room, dining room and hall area with the other 5 girls... the kitchen is off limits to her when we leave. Hopefully something here or at the link above will help Maggie to cope better when you leave. Please seek help from your vet if it doesn't. Others here can also give you some ideas that may help. Good luck to you and hugs to Maggie. |
| I agree with Jaci on seperation anxiety.
I had a Boxer with it. I would take her before I left.... even if she had just pooped outside I would leave the house, stand in front of the door and wait two minutes. I would then go back inside to see her straining trying to poop. I was trying to test how well she would do without the crate. Obviously it didn't work out well. But she was always fine in her crate because she had been brought up using a crate. She enjoyed going into her crate... Maybe your dog will feel less anxiety having a room or even seeing how well she would do if you left her out. Pepsi was a rescue. He had obviously never seen a crate before and was very stressed by going into it. He would bark, shake and bite the crate, howl, drool and he also bent the bars. I figured it was not really going as planned with the crating, so I tested him. I left the house for a few minutes and then came back in the door. No problems. I increased the time and still no problems. Instead of stressing him out he got run of house. He was 10 months old at the time. He is now 3 and other than counter surfing he has not caused any destruction. |
| One thing to add is to make sure you don't yell or scold her as soon as you walk in the door and see the mess she made. If she can sense your anger or frustration, it just adds to her anxiety. Theory is if you walk in the door mad, she thinks something on the outside has caused you to become angry, therefore, she has additional stress worrying about it. |
| When George was little he was terrible when he was left.
I was told to walk out of the room shut the door behind me, wait a few seconds and walk back in and carry on with what I was doing and ignore George. A few minutes later do exactly the same thing. The first few times I did it george ran to the door and waited behind the door after a while (maybe only a few times) he just ignored the fact I was out of the room, at this stage build up the time He is only 6 months now and is already 100% better when he is left. I didn't think this would work with him but it did. It takes time but it helps!! Good Luck |
| I agree with all of the above.
Sometimes crating just doesn't work. And sometimes it's the best thing. My parents' sheepdog LOVES her crate and feels safe there and goes in there to sleep even when other people are home and she can be anywhere she wants. Barney hated the crate. I don't know if it was because he was mailed to us in it and associated the trauma of the trip with it, but he drooled, peed, barked, whined, etc. in the crate. We tried it and various hopeful solutions for a bunch of months. They never worked. So we put up baby gates in the kitchen (tiled floors) and it was much better from then on. Also, the coming and going without a lot of fanfare is really important. I used to give extra rubs and kisses and talk to him, but it just worked him up, so I now I just yell over my shoulder, Bye Barns. And he's fine. So there's hope for you! |
| Thanks for all of your comments!! I will try some of the things you have suggested. I'm just at a loss right now. I hope that something works! |
| I hope that it works for you, and for your dog, too.
I have not had the same issues with my dogs as others have had, so I can't offer any advice except that I've found the people on this forum to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful. What has been suggested is what I'd do if I ever have the same issues with one of my dogs. |
| Cesar Milan would say a dog is not capapble of a human emotion like spite. I agree. There is another reason your dog is soiling, solve that problem and you'll solve the soiling. |
Tasker's Mom wrote: Cesar Milan would say a dog is not capapble of a human emotion like spite. I agree. There is another reason your dog is soiling, solve that problem and you'll solve the soiling.
I agree. Plus, I also love the comment made by another author (I can't remember her name, but the book was "The Other End of the Leash") who said: "Dogs don't poop in the house out of spite, since to a dog, poo isn't gross....dogs LOVE the stuff!"  |
| Very important point, Ginny and Laurel. I agree wholeheartedly that spite is not included in a canine's array of emotions. By attributing a dog's behavior to spitefulness, we add a whole lot of human baggage to a situation, which only increases the frustration on both sides.
I'm not one to jump right into meds for this sort of issue, but this pup's anxiety sounds quite extreme. Have you talked to your vet about medication options, or looked into natural remedies for anxiety, in addition to behavioral therapy? Just a thought. Best of luck to you and thank you for taking Maggie into your home. Laurie and Oscar |
| We are still having problems with her. It breaks my heart every time because it makes me feel like I must be doing something wrong. I have had several people tell me that I should find her a new home, but I don't think I could bear it. She is my boyfriend and my first dog. She is soooo sweet and we love her to death. I am at my wits end though. She has started tearing up things for what seems to be no reason. The last comments on here I agree with somewhat, maybe I shouldn't call it spite, but she does it because I don't take her with me. I just don't know what to do. |
Quote: she does it because I don't take her with me What you've described are the symptoms of a dog loving someone too much... it's separation anxiety and she simply can't control herself when you close that door. It's real and there is no way to reason with her or talk her out of her fear or stress. Quote: She has started tearing up things for what seems to be no reason.
It may look like spite but she's suffering every time you leave her behind. Did you talk to your vet about Clomicalm or Clomipramine along with behavioral modification? If you've tried everything else and it just hasn't worked and if she's getting more destructive, it's time to consider taking this step. Good luck to you. |
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