Did you introduce the crate slowly, or just put her in and leave? I started by tossing treats in, the dog walks in and eats them, praise, he comes out. Over and over, then close the door behind him, treats and praise. Then graduate to closing and leaving the room. It is a good place, not a punishment place.

 Quote: Sue Kobus

Did you introduce the crate slowly, or just put her in and leave? I started by tossing treats in, the dog walks in and eats them, praise, he comes out. Over and over, then close the door behind him, treats and praise. Then graduate to closing and leaving the room. It is a good place, not a punishment place.

Ditto.

And the casual leaving and returning at short and then more random intervals was just that: random. Sometimes with my keys, sometimes not, just whenever I thought of it, I would do it. A lot.

Meaning: I did not decide on the sequence or what to carry or the time to spend. I just kept doing it. A lot.

Exactly the way Sue describes the crate.

I didn't even close the door each time. The crate is a good place, and a place where there are good treats and a safe place to lie down, and where the dog can be when I am at home as well as gone. I don't want it associated with something that automatically means I am leaving.

i think maybe i will have to try the crate again. and with the departures... let's say she starts throwing a fit when i am doing this, should i ignore her, or come back in and say "no", or give her treats if she is quiet? or just do nothing at all?

With the random leaving and returning, I believe you want to return before the dog acts up, so it is not associating that by crying and acting up it is rewarded by you returning, is that right, Connie? Been many many years since I had a dog that suffered separation anxiety.

Yes!

I'd go out calmly and shut the door and return in five seconds. I'd do that several times for a day.

Tomorrow one of the times I'd be gone for ten seconds.

It all depends on whether five seconds today was too long. But yes, you want to return casually and unhurriedly before the protest gets a chance.

After you have done this a lot (and it's easy; it's easier to do than type), then you might hover outside and the second you hear any protest, open the door and say "no" in your deep calm no voice, close the door, wait ten more seconds, and return casually.

Hello. Just wanted to jump in and offer some other random tips from someone who's dealing with a serious S/A case that I have found works for me. You've gotten some great advice and I would suggest trying the crate again but definitely make sure the introduction is slow. My girl's S/A increased significantly in the crate for a while and I had to back track a LOT.

I bought two crates, one for the common living area and one for the bedroom. I always always always leave the crate door open and hide all her goodies in there, as well as I feed her in it.
Randomly through out the day (10-15x if possible) I will throw a treat in and close the door while she eats it. In the beginning i'll just open the door again as soon as she turns around, and then start increasing the time in increments of two seconds, open it again, and increase the time by 2-3 seconds every time. I did that every day for about 2 weeks and had her sleep in her crate at night. I also treated her a bit like a puppy in the beginning at night and would take her out for 2-3 potty breaks at night (whether or not she went, just to break up the time in the crate). If she doesn't sleep comfortably in there at first (which mine did because as long as I was in the room she was fine) then just start slow and feed her in there and slowly increase the time she's in there afterward. Don't just put her in there and expect immediate success.


The change up in routine is very important as well and good for you on finding that helpful tid-bit out, unfortunately there is no "how long should I continue" or "how often"..do it as often and as long as it takes for your dog to become comfortable with it. I've been working two solid months on it day in and day out, though my girl sounds much worse than yours. She is very destructive so a crate was necessary from day one.

While going through my house during the day, I will separate myself in other rooms from her. Leave her out of the bathroom while i'm showering, if i'm in the office on the computer I will close the door behind me for a few minutes and then open it a few minutes later. Wherever I can go and put a few minutes in between us, I do it. Exercise is really key to this also, that is what has helped me the most in all of it. I run her butt off in the morning and it helped immensely.

Good Luck and thank you for working with your dog. I've seen so many dumped because of such behaviors, very nice to see someone willing to do the work.

Susan, this is a great post.

 Quote: susan newell

.... then just start slow and feed her in there and slowly increase the time she's in there afterward. Don't just put her in there and expect immediate success..... there is no "how long should I continue" or "how often"...

Just want to add to this excellent advice that again, it's not really work. It's just something that you fit in throughout the day (starting on a weekend, ideally, IMO).

This kind of foundation work with S/A is absolutely the best. Many rescues and other adoptions under my belt, I concur 100% with Susan's suggestions.

 Quote: Susan Newell

Exercise is really key to this also, that is what has helped me the most in all of it. I run her butt off in the morning and it helped immensely.

YES!

S/A or no S/A, leave a tired dog when you go to work.

Even if you have to get up an hour earlier for a power walk, it will be SO worth it ... when I was not working at home, I would make a big circuitous route for long-legged and short-legged dogs together, and then drop off the tired small one(s) and go for a second round with the bigger one(s).

The dog is then far more ready to relax in the crate.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Susan Newell

Exercise is really key to this also, that is what has helped me the most in all of it. I run her butt off in the morning and it helped immensely.

YES!

S/A or no S/A, leave a tired dog when you go to work.

Even if you have to get up an hour earlier for a power walk, it will be SO worth it ... when I was not working at home, I would make a big circuitous route for long-legged and short-legged dogs together, and then drop off the tired small one(s) and go for a second round with the bigger one(s).

The dog is then far more ready to relax in the crate.

Thank you.

It is VERY worth it. Her progress increased leaps and bounds with exercise and still to this day it is one of her favorite parts of the day.

I should have stressed the point you did also, try not to make it 'work' on yourself. I just tried to add all these things to my daily routine.