Why can't you leave her alone now?

I know, I know, I only leave her in the car when it is cool out and I hope I don't get caught.

Well, I guess I have a consideration about leaving her alone at such a young age and when she is teething so badly.

When I leave her in her room, she just lays down on her bed, but she knows I am still in the house. I see no reason for a crate in my situation. I am with her 24 hours a day. I am simi retired and if I do go to our office, she comes with me.

 Quote: Anna Anderson

Well, I guess I have a consideration about leaving her alone at such a young age and when she is teething so badly.

Oh, I getcha -- it's not a bad experience having happened.

I'd do what I have done with extremely unhappy new adoptees when I left them: I leave calmly and with zero fanfare and come right back, same way. I gradually extend the time and then vary it. I even hid outside to assess the reaction (howling, barking, etc.) because I have close neighbors.

Basically, I just work up to it and make sure that I create no excitement/anxiety about leaving.

 Quote: Anna Anderson

... or do I have to wait until she is 2 years old again?

No.

Here is another 1/2 cents worth.

Also, when you come back from anywhere, if she is excited, ignore her until she is calm. I think this is in the creating pack structure stuff.

If I am presenting this the wrong way, I'm sure one of the experienced handlers will further explain what I am talking about.

I also did what Connie is talking about so far as leaving the house and coming back in. I actually started with putting on my shoes and walking to the door and then coming back and taking off my shoes. Next, shoes and pick up the car keys. Then shoes, car keys, open door and close it. You get the picture.

Now mine walks me to the door and waits for me to tell her if this is a bye bye trip for her. If not, then she walks back to the kitchen to watch and doesn't try to get out the door.

I believe in crates, I crated. It creates security for dog in my opinion. However, I do not crate her when I am gone now (few times she is not with me) but she goes to her crate on her own. And sometimes, even when I am here or if we have company and she finally tires of people, she will sneak off to her crate. Funny as all get out.

 Quote: nora ferrell

I crated. It creates security for dog in my opinion. However, I do not crate her when I am gone now (few times she is not with me) but she goes to her crate on her own. And sometimes, even when I am here or if we have company and she finally tires of people, she will sneak off to her crate. Funny as all get out.

Every dog I have had has used the crate at least occasionally as a "den" when they needed a haven. Some have used it extensively, long after the housetraining/manners work was over and the crate door was left open.

That was part of my question about "why" one would say "I never use crates."

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

I actually started with putting on my shoes and walking to the door and then coming back and taking off my shoes. Next, shoes and pick up the car keys. Then shoes, car keys, open door and close it. You get the picture.

Now mine walks me to the door and waits for me to tell her if this is a bye bye trip for her. If not, then she walks back to the kitchen to watch and doesn't try to get out the door.

A great explanation of the calmness of the process!

Thanks..great ideas. Another reason I don't create is that I did not want my last dog or my puppy to need a crate to be confortable in. I am out and about alot and we like taking our dog with us every where we can. Big Italian family. I want Greta to get use to being confortable where ever I take her without the need of crate security. Worked well for me before, every where I took Tera, my last GSD, everyone raved about how sweet and well behaved she was. Like I said, it is just my life style.