May 20, 2011

My dog is a crate eating, fence jumping, kennel hanging nut job. In your experience, is this behavior likely to extinguish and stay gone?

Full Question:
Thank you for all that you do for dogs.

I run a rescue that handles 2,500 critters a year. I foster 6 to 10 a year in my home. I take some of the ones that don't fit in well at the shelter.

I am now hosting an 18 month old Cane Corso female. She is a crate eating, fence jumping, kennel hanging nut job. Has wrecked 2 crates this week and hung herself in a kennel badly injuring a front leg. A great dog, but does not accept confinement.

I read the articles on this topic about e collars and muzzles. I can do that. But, what are the odds that this behavior will clear. I need to re-home her and I wouldn't want to spend more that 3 months with her at my house. In your experience, is this behavior likely to extinguish and stay gone?

Nice, normal, moderate to low energy dog otherwise. Doesn't even seem to really have separation anxiety. Just decides what she wants when she wants it. Knows absolutely nothing and from her poor muscle tone, I would guess she's never had enough exercise. Can fix all that, but this crate thing?

Thank you for your time.

Holly
Cindy
Cindy Cindy's Answer:
This dog does have separation anxiety. Breaking out of crates, climbing fences to escape and not accepting confinement are classic and severe symptoms.

This dog needs to be put in an escape proof crate, and if she vocalizes when she's doing the break out behavior, she needs a Tri-tronics Bark Limiter

You can read more about it here http://leerburg.com/separation.htm

I would direct you to the search function in the upper left corner of the website for any additional questions you may have.. If you type in your key words it will guide you to articles, Q & A's and posts on our forum.

I can't tell you if the behavior can clear up or not. Dogs that are rehomed are the most likely candidates for separation anxiety and if you get the dog to be calm and quiet with you, unless she's handled exactly right in the next home the behavior will return and will likely be even more severe.

Cindy

100% (4 out of 4)
respondents found this answer helpful
Did you find this Q&A helpful?
Expert Dog Trainer Cindy Rhodes
100% (4 out of 4)
respondents found this answer helpful

Did you find this Q&A helpful?

Recommended Products
Scroll to Top