My 4 month old female GSD has severve Separation Anxiety.
She is Czech/DDR lines(mainly Czech), Is this common for them? she is my first GSD <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It is so bad I cant go in another room. She cries and screams, barks scraches at doors. I tried leaving her alone with my daughter while I went to town. But No. She was apparently "narotic". Nothing will settle her down, not other people not dogs, not toys...I am at my witts end!!
She is a great dog otherwise. She obeys me like a pro...and the energy this dog has <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ! ! any help/or past experiences would be wonderful! Thank you soo much!

You are much better off to deal with this problem with a 4 month old than with an adult.

I definately agree with the crate training NOW . She needs to understand that the crate is a safe secure place for her. And that she will NEVER be let out or have your presence when she whines cries or acts poorly.

Each time you go back to her when she cries or acts 'neurotic' you are reinforcing that behaviour, and it will take that much longer for her to learn NOT to do those behaviours.

I had a separation anxiety girl. It didn't manifest until she was an adult and could destroy any crate I put her in, or any room she was left in. It was basically a full blown panic attack and she would do whatever she needed to do to get out. You cannot imagine the strength and damage an 80lb GSD can do.

I wouldn't think a 4 month old would be having the panic attack an adult would, hopefully it is just a temper tantrum that had been reinforced and you have time now while she is still young to teach her not to behave that manner.

The only thing that would settle my adult down was having another warm body in the same room. Another dog, cat or anything would keep her from panicking. I tried tranqs, herbals, radio...you name it I tried it.

I agree-- get a crate NOW. I got my 4.5 old pup from a breeder and she had some sep. anxiety as well. The first few nights/days she cried and screamed in the crate. Just ignore it. I know it sounds mean, but you do not want to create an 80 lb. w/sep. anxiety. It may take some time, but you have to be consistent. Never let her out while she is crying. In the beginning I couldn't even put water in with her because she would have a tantrum and spill it all over. Every time you put pup in the crate throw in a high reward treat. My girl loves the crate now and even goes in there on her own sometimes just to get away <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />. Years ago I adopted a dog from a shelter. He was the most wonderful dog. It was in the spring and cool out and he loved being with me I brought him everywhere. After a couple of weeks on Easter we all went out and left him in my bedroom with the door closed. Well, when we got hime he had managed to rip up tons of wood around the door frame and destroy carpeting. I then bought a wire crate for him which he destroyed and got out of after a couple of days. I ended up having a custom made crate that basically looked like a jail cell with thick metal bars. He eventually got over it. But this is what you don't want to create. I am always amazed at how many people think crates are mean. If everyone started their dog off with a crate there would be alot less homeless animals in the shelters. Good luck <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

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you do not want to create an 80 lb. w/sep. anxiety.

No, you don't. Just ask my aunt, who has an almost 2 year old neurotic male that she has to keep on doggie prozac all the time and he is STILL horrible and eats the wall, his bed, his toys, etc. He's terrified of a leash, and if you put it on him he goes and sits in his bed and whines until you take if off (even if you leave it on him all day). He trots around constantly with a ball or toy in his mouth, whining, and will not let you take it from him. He gets excited and runs around the house, jumping OVER the couch, up onto visitors, and 'chirping' and whining the entire time.

He's horrible. People won't even go over to her house anymore because he's so bad, but when I tried/try to tell her anything, I'm just 23 and I don't know what I'm talking about. She had a female before, but had to have her pts because of hip displasia (she was professionally trained). Even though my 3 year old pit/chow is perfectly behaved and obeys any command I've taught her as soon as I give it, I MUST be the one that doesn't know crap, since I'm just 23 and I've never owned a shepherd.

Thank you All so much. I did not expect replies so fast and so helpful!!
I will do the crate thing...that sound like a good Idea. What size do you recommend? As I said she is my first GSD..Forgive me for the stupid questions, I just want to do things right!.

Thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

This is just me, but I've had great success with keeping the crate in the family social stream. It's a secure place for the dog, but not lonely.

My daughter keeps one of her dog's crates in her bedroom. This is not first-hand for me; I wasn't living in the same state when she got these two. I heard from her, though, that one had no separation anxiety at all and the other one had none if her crate was within sight of her own bed.

I'm just saying what worked for someone else! I have not personally had a dog's crate in my bedroom.

But the crate in general -- yes, I sure do agree with everyone else on this thread. It's your tool of choice.

Something I forgot to say about separation anxiety: I helped an owner with a severe case of that in his little house-dog, and we did this (successfully): He left the house (CALMLY; no "I'll be right back, don't worry, it's OK, poor baby") on a day he was off work. Came back two minutes later after hiding away from smell-range of the door. Did this at irregular intervals all weekend, for irregular lengths of time, then came back CALMLY each time. On Monday he came back at lunchtime.

That was the end of the crying and whining at the door every time he left.

Forgot a couple of things. My pup did manage to get out of her crate. I bought these metal clips that open on each end-kind of like something you might use on a beltloop. Anyway, I clipped them onto the sides where they connect and to the door so she couldn't dislodge where the crate comes together. Also, teach your pup the quiet command. Don't let her out of the crate until she quiets - it may be for just a few seconds. Praise her and then let her out. We also really reinforced the times she was quiet in her crate with praise and treats. Good luck.