How long did it take you to train your rescue?
I guess I'm asking for pointers from other members who have rescues of their own and advice about different techniques for training. I have enrolled Levi in beginner obedience and that will occur over the next 6 weeks at my kennel club. So that should help with some behavior. Levi has a separation anxiety that I am not sure what the best course of action is to tackle. As everyone has seen, he chews all of Josh's possessions that are in his reach. Josh crated him yesterday (after he had been allowed to roam the house with the dogs, his accidents were becoming more frequent). Levi immediately peed all over and was panicking. I think the stress is so high from his prior abandonment that he immediately evacuates his bowel and bladder. He will sleep all night and not have an accident or get up in the middle of the night and destroy anything. The behavior ONLY happens when we are not home. Since we work 8 hour days, that is a hard problem to fix. I've pinpointed his problems occur in the mornings. From when I leave for work (7am, Josh leaves at 8am) till when I get home at 11:45 for lunch, that is when the destruction and accidents occur. When I go back to work and return at 4:45, there is hardly an accident or destroyed item. Can anyone offer advise on what I could try to reassure him? Is it unrealistic to think he'll overcome these behaviors/insecurities in the next two months? |
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| hmmmm... this is REALLY specific destructive stuff. It seems weird to me that he only does his destroying in the first half of the day; but it may be that in the morning he panics that you all leave, and when you come back for lunch he gets re-assured that you aren't leaving forever and calms down. Or it could also be that his morning rampage just wears him out, and he falls asleep for the afternoon. My girls can tell when I'm sick; and if I head to the hospital or the ER or a doctors appointment, I know they pace the entire time we are gone. When we get home, they literally collapse dead asleep and can hardly be woken for hours. Tonks and Luna went through a several month phase of separation anxiety; the minute we left the house, they'd poop all over the kitchen (the room we'd confine them too) and Tonks in time tore the linoleum off the floor too. We both work from home, so we figured that when we went out and left them alone, they weren't adjusting well to the solitude. But working from home, we had the luxury of tailoring our schedules as we needed, and that helped us to train the girls out of it. Here's what we did; though I'm not sure how you'd be able to implement something similar; maybe try working with this on the weekend? Adam and I would go out the front door, like we were leaving. Coats, bag, keys; whole nine yards. Then we'd come back in after 5 minutes. When the girls seemed to get that we were coming back, we extended it to 15 minutes. Then 30. Then and hour. For the longer trips out we'd even get in the car; the girls could hear us if we didn't start the motor and drive away, so eventually they were wise to the fact that we were just outside. So we started doing short trips for ice cream or groceries, to help with the realism of the training. You see what I'm getting at? We tried to work on showing them that we were always coming back, and as they grew comfortable with each time increment, we expanded it. If they suddenly freaked out, we'd shorten the time again. There may be easier training than this, but it worked for us. I often turn to a website called dogwise.com to look for books or training guidance on behavior specific topics. Maybe they have some books or dvds with other training suggestions. Good Luck! |
| He probably tires himself out and finally settles in at the end of the day. Have you tried different things to get him to focus his mental and phsyical energy in the crate? How about a frozen peanut butter kong? Or a meaty bone? Might he be more comfortable in a sectioned off area of the house with the other dogs? Maybe the kitchen? |
| Have you read this article on separation anxiety? http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/4 ... xiety.aspx I thought there was another step by step approach that was broken down into daily sessions. I can't find locate... if I can, I'll send you the link. I know this behavior is very frustrating... he found a great family and is simply stressed to be away from you. I think it's a trust thing... these anxious dogs need to be shown through repetition that we will return to them. |
We had the same seperation anxiety problems with Lucy, and still do if we break routine. We couldn't crate her either; one day I came home to poop and pee in the crate and I'm pretty sure Oliver threw up from the stinch. It was an awesome afternoon  .The number 1 thing that helped us was to establish a routine. Everytime we leave we go potty, get a treat, pat on the head, walk out the door. We also confine her to certain rooms of the house. She gets her "safe zone" (our bedroom), the kitchen, hallway, and livingroom. We were allowing her the bathroom, but too many rolls of toilet paper fell victum to her antics. Her stress also came within the first few minutes of us leaving. That was her "destruction" time as well. We keep her well exercised and I think that helps. She has her quirks (she was starved before we got her, poop was her only food source), but we love her all the same! |
jcc9797 wrote: she was starved before we got her, poop was her only food source wow some people make me so angry!! Who DOES that do a dog?!?  Here in GA there have been two stories this week about people doing severe neglect to their animals. I'm really upset reading these types of things this week! |
| Hank had mild separation troubles, he grew out of it eventually, but we used a DAP collar during and it was amazing!!! It's a collar that emits a mimic of mamas pheremones, which is apparently relaxing- IT totally settled him down FAST It might be worth a shot?? Good luck! |
MollyinPDX wrote: Hank had mild separation troubles, he grew out of it eventually, but we used a DAP collar during and it was amazing!!! It's a collar that emits a mimic of mamas pheremones, which is apparently relaxing- IT totally settled him down FAST It might be worth a shot?? Good luck! That is definitely worth a shot! Is this something you get that helps the problem and eventually you can discontinue use? jcc9797 wrote: We had the same seperation anxiety problems with Lucy, and still do if we break routine. We couldn't crate her either; one day I came home to poop and pee in the crate and I'm pretty sure Oliver threw up from the stinch. It was an awesome afternoon .The number 1 thing that helped us was to establish a routine. Everytime we leave we go potty, get a treat, pat on the head, walk out the door. We also confine her to certain rooms of the house. She gets her "safe zone" (our bedroom), the kitchen, hallway, and livingroom. We were allowing her the bathroom, but too many rolls of toilet paper fell victum to her antics. Her stress also came within the first few minutes of us leaving. That was her "destruction" time as well. We keep her well exercised and I think that helps. She has her quirks (she was starved before we got her, poop was her only food source), but we love her all the same! I agree, a routine is what will probably be the most effective. Like Lucy, Levi seems to respond best to not being crated. The crate seems to really freak him out and cause more stress than roaming the house. He only does his business in the basement. Like others have noted, I'm thinking about gating off the basement, so he can still roam the kitchen, bedroom, office, and front room. I hope he won't begin to go in those rooms! The chewing is another obstacle. Mostly the obstacle is with Josh. Josh is a very brilliant, but absent minded guy. His mind is three hours in the future and he doesn't pay attention to the here and now. I can pick up and remind-remind-remind him to put remotes ups (since Levi eats them) or to take out the garbage first thing in the morning (Wendel constantly gets in the trash when we are not home). I guess I'll just drill into his head to try and be more cognizant of Levi's quirks. How long did it take everyone to break through to their dogs? I'm willing to put in the work, I just hope we can get a handle on this. Especially the potty training, since I'm the mop and bucket queen of the house. |
| have you ever tryed to have josh go to work first ?? |
* Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: That is definitely worth a shot! Is this something you get that helps the problem and eventually you can discontinue use? Yes, eventually they become used to the comings and goings and you don't need it anymore... They have collars, sprays, adn wall plug-ins. The collar is best from what I've heard, and don't buy the knockoff, get the actual D.A.P brand, it supposed to be the most effective, I trimmed the excess off and zipped it into his bed cover also, so that when he would lay on it, it might offer a little extra smell... http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/behavio ... Collar.htm Description * Pheromones released during lactation give puppies a sense of well-being and reassurance, known as appeasing pheromones. * DAP is a synthetic version of this pheromone, called Dog Appeasing Pheromone. * The pheromones are embedded in the plastic collar. The dog's body heat helps emit the odorless pheromone from the collar. * Collar size is adjustable with a small plastic buckle. * After fitting the collar comfortably around your dog's neck, trim off the excess. * The collar will not work when it is wet. In windy conditions, it is less effective. |
| My sister used the Sergeant's brand phermone collar with great success as well. And, I actually read an atricle where the Sergeant's collars are being used in Africa to help re-populate wild dogs. We have had Lucy for a 1 year, and we are still not 100%. We use puppy pads though. It's gross, but I swear by them now! Much better then scrubbing the tile floors. The pooping in the house was actually really easy to fix: morning and evening walks. She poops on each walk...and if she doesn't poop on a walk, we know we'll have trouble. We take routines very seriously in my household!  |
| Ryleigh is a rescue as well. We have had her for 4 weeks now. She is doing better but since she was just left in the backyard and her people moved away she wont go outside by herself to potty. I have to go with her and stand in the grass and the whole time she will keep an eye on me. If I start heading back to the door she runs and beats me there. We do crate her when we are gone because she was messing in the house and eating things she shouldnt, thank goodness she doesnt potty in the crate she hold it till we get home, but shes only in there a couple of hours. I have seen those collars at petsmart and walmart but I never tried them. They do have treats called Pet-Ease made by Nutri-vet. We had to use these on a car trip because she would get motion sickness, but it says its for stress and anxiety as well. It might help. Good luck. |
| Look at things from Levi's perspective: Levi came from a bad situation. He's now in a loving home and should no longer be thought of as the poor boy who was kept outdoors in a livestock pen. He is now Levi, a much-loved part of your family and shouldn't be treated any differently than Wendell and Asterisk. Dogs don't remember the past like humans do so it's very likely that Levi has left the bad parts of his life behind him. You and Josh remember all too well the conditions that Levi came from. You feel badly for leaving him in the crate when he doesn't like that and chances are, you're making a a bigger deal of leaving in the morning than you need to. Put Levi in the crate with some kind of special treat and quietly leave the house. No goodbyes, no sad looks or feelings of anxiety yourself. Levi may cry for awhile but he will eventually settle in. He'll be safe in the crate and won't want to soil the area he's in so potty accidents will decrease. When you return, come into your house without even giving him a glance. Give him about five minutes and then love on him. It does sound harsh but what you're doing now seems to be just reinforcing bad behavior with Levi. We've fostered some dogs with heartbreaking histories but none get treated differently than our own dogs. In our case, they seem to understand that and willingly accept it. My dogs don't get upset when we leave and return and the fosters seem to feed off of their energy. Levi is still young enough that part of his chewing may actually still be from teething. I've never tried Rescue Remedy or any type of pheromones on dogs but they may be worth a try. It's so frustrating when it seems you've had a dog forever and it just hasn't clicked with them. Once it does, you won't believe it's the same dog.  They are SO worth the effort! |
Maggie McGee IV wrote: Put Levi in the crate with some kind of special treat and quietly leave the house. No goodbyes, no sad looks or feelings of anxiety yourself. Levi may cry for awhile but he will eventually settle in. He'll be safe in the crate and won't want to soil the area he's in so potty accidents will decrease. Nita, I don't agree with this. Before Lucy, I totally would have agreed, but not anymore. For Lucy, being in the crate heightened the stress level to the point she was literally chewing on crate and making her gums bloody. She didn't stop soiling herself, each day it grew worse and worse. There are special cases, and Levi might be one of them. |
| Patch was aabout a year old when I picked her up from rescue. She was so confused - I was her sixth home in a year - first the breeder, then owner, back to the breeder, dumped at the dog pound, an employee took her home until the rescue came to get her, then stayed at rescue for a week, then finally to her permanent, loving home here. She was housetrained, but had to learn my schedule. It took a little while. I used baby gates so she was confined to the great room, kitchen, hall, and dining room with wood floors. About 5 months after I had Patch I came home and not only was there do do, but Patch had walked through it - I was at my wits end. Then one day the next month, she figured it out and has been great ever since - there have been accidents here and there, but she gets it. Your Levi will get it too, just takes time and lots of patience. |
| Erin, Nita gave some great advice. If the crate is not possible then I would gate all three dogs to one area. Don't separate them as this just causes stress. We gated our dogs to the kitchen dinette combo. It worked great until they started clearing every possible surface and shredding what they could get. Not they get gated in the hallway with the doors to the bedrooms closed. As for the destruction in the morning...Does he get a walk in the morning before you go to work? I know its hard to try to make time(I'm the worst offender) but just a short walk...maybe fifteen minutes and see how that goes. Nita also said to make no big deal out of leaving. Great advice! Pick up your stuff, say see you later and walk out the door. When you come home, its no big deal, like you just walked in from a different room. It works great with all the dogs I've had. Cuts down on the excitement and craziness of coming home. There is a light at the end of the tunnel... it may just be a long tunnel. |
| We had some progress yesterday. Josh had to stay home, his car was acting up. I came home at lunch and fully expected an accident in the basement. Josh doesn't always pay attention to the dogs and he never goes in the basement (since he doesn't do grooming, laundry, or feed/clean up after the cats). There were no accidents! I came home at the end of the day, and again, no accidents! But the most ENCOURAGING thing was that Levi woke me twice last night to go to outside to pee. He licked my face gently at 1 and 3 and out we went. He peed a long time each time then trotted back to the deck to come inside. Now, I did find some poop in the basement, but I find this to be encouraging that he didn't pee all night in the basement. As far as his anxiety at us leaving, maybe it's Josh that causes the problem. When I leave, I grab my purse, give Josh a quick kiss and I'm out the door. I think Josh (though I don't know, since I'm not home to witness it) must make a long arduous farewell to each dog. Kisses, scratches behind the ears, hugs, long, loving poetry, yada yada. I'll see if I can convince him to just make it a short exit. I think starting with gating the basement off will be my first step. If that really can't break through to him, then we'll try the crate again. Thank you for all the replies, and keep the advise coming! I'm certainly open for any advise that would help us! |
| No advice here. I think lots of people have had excellent suggestions...but I wanted to say that we're at the eight month mark with Rudy and there are still some issues, so hang in there. I really liked the positive tone of your last post. That's what we're trying to do...focus on how much he's learned (and it really is a lot. When he first came he didn't know stairs, peed and pooped all over the house, wouldn't go outside without one of us, stood on tables, jumped on everyone and everything, etc). Now we're down to some chewing (and swallowing, which is a biggie) and the occasional accident in the house (and some issues on walks). It's still a little upsetting, but he's come so far. Rudy sends love, hugs and bum wiggles to Levi. He'll get it. Probably before Rudy does!  |
my duffy hates when i leave too i have found that if i do not say goodbye no eye contact it is alot easier // good levi did so well last nite ..tell josh we want him to try OUR way and do not say goodbye .. i do hear duffy barking at the door but i do not turn to look back .. i did one day drive away and ran home behind the bushes he was no longer at the door or barking.. he was probably in the closet surfing for cookies  |
suzptcruise wrote: my duffy hates when i leave too i have found that if i do not say goodbye no eye contact it is alot easier // good levi did so well last nite ..tell josh we want him to try OUR way and do not say goodbye .. i do hear duffy barking at the door but i do not turn to look back .. i did one day drive away and ran home behind the bushes he was no longer at the door or barking.. he was probably in the closet surfing for cookies The visual of your lurking in the bushes is kinda funny; but I have to admit I have also looked through the window at Patch just to see what she was doing before actually going in the house. We do some of the funniest things for our wonderful dogs always in an effort to make them the happiest dogs. |
| I dunno did I post about this book before? Patricia McConnell "I'll be home soon". Its short, easy to read, has lots of practical tips and is inexpensive. http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/product/dog-separation-anxiety She definitely talks about not making a fuss when you leave or when you come home if your dog has separation anxiety. |
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