Hey guys.

First, I just want to apologize for taking advice and not giving the little I have available. Things have just been super crazy, and I'm not even an expert of anything, lol. But I will try because if I do know something, and the pros just happen to be out and about, it's something. And I DO appreciate the advice that is given here - you guys have no idea.

Anyway, my 6 month old pup is worrying me a little in the sense that she maybe, possibly, might just be starting some behaviors I'm not really fond of.

Some info: I've had her for about a month and a half, got her from a guy who owns both her parents, and the rest of the litter. They decided too many dogs was just too many, lol. So they were selling a few of the pups off one by one, and I ended up with Tonka. She was an outside dog mostly. They let her in, but from my understanding, she preferred to be outside with her four-legged pack. They socialized her with people and what not, she's not at all skittish or standoffish. Since I brought her home, she hasn't really "bonded" with my dogs like she was able to with her siblings/parents. I personally like that - I'd like for her to bond WITH ME, and not my dog. But now I'm feeling like she's getting too attached or something. I'm honestly not sure. Crate training was going well, and then she decided she didn't like being in there for some reason no matter where it was located or positioned, or which crate I used (meaning after she broke out of the first one, she went on to another). She started barking like mad until she escaped the crate. And when outside, she was fine for the first few weeks, and then she discovered she could jump the gate and get out. This was after her barking a lot, of course. During her crate time or outside time, she's not with me. And once she's around me, she has to be on me, like laying or RIGHT beside me. I've basically figured out that she behaves badly (she would tear up my blinds and random things around the house when I was gone, but ONLY when I was gone) when I'm not around. Since then, I don't put her in such a position to where she can "behave badly". And I'm considering putting in a kennel for her outside, so she can have that and I can have some space. She's too needy, and I'm not sure how to go about putting this to a stop.

I don't pay any attention to her when I come home or leave, or when I let her in from inside. And when she's outside and starts barking, I spray her with the water bottle through a window, and she'll stop for a little. I do exercise with her, do OB and play. But I'm starting to back off with trying to bond with her. I don't know exactly what I'm doing wrong. But it's working too much. lol

I just don't want to help fuel such a bad problem. Not only is it bad for me, but I can only imagine how a dog with separation anxiety feels at his/her worst. Any ideas?

Hi, Dannielle,

"I don't pay any attention to her when I come home or leave, or when I let her in from inside. And when she's outside and starts barking, I spray her with the water bottle through a window, and she'll stop for a little. I do exercise with her, do OB and play. But I'm starting to back off with trying to bond with her. I don't know exactly what I'm doing wrong. But it's working too much. lol "

No no no!

For starters, separation anxiety is NOT another term for "too much bonding."

Second, exercise and training are crucial.

Can you describe the daily exercise amount and kind, and the number and type of ob sessions?

What kind of crate training are you doing? Games, door open, treats, etc.?



PS
This fence-jumping dog should never be outside alone, as I'm sure you've realized.

You will get lots of help on this, but I have to tell you that Friday through Sunday are pretty dead on dog boards (training time!).

Okay! Lol, it just weirds me out when animals get THAT dang needy. I didn't think the two were the same, just connected. But I guess I was wrong there, lol.

Exercise consists of lots and lots of running around/games in the yard, fetch, and I'll take her and the rest of my pack to the dog park at night when it's empty so they can just run around together - my yard isn't that big and I do NOT like the area I live enough to take walks by myself. So, all together, there's 1 hour and 45 minutes of play outside. She can't go much longer, lol. Dog park running is about an hour at night. I know she's getting enough because she's pooped. She's super lazy in the house and when she does get that random burst of energy, it's taken care of. I don't like rowdy dogs inside.

OB is just basics for now - she still thinks everything means "sit". She's learning the gist of new commands, but I'm mostly working on the sit-stay-and don't eat my hand command. These are mostly small sessions throughout the day, and then closer in the evening I'll do it for about 30min, but not always everyday.

Crate was with treats and praise. I forgot to mention that she started urinating on herself in the crate the past two times she was in a crate. I don't get it because she'll happily go in and let me close the door, no problem. I leave the room and it goes to hell.

Thinking back, this all started around the time my last foster dog, Buddy, was adopted out. He didn't come home, and she started to act odd.

My table is right by the outside window. So I let her out, and sit by the window and watch her. Sometimes I'll use the tie out for extra security, but it's only needed if she especially wants in, but I want her out to pee or something. But I can see the yard through that window.

Is there anything else anyone needs to know? I just want to give as much info as possible. And thank you Connie for your reply.

Dannielle StCin,

I would take a close look at the pack structure, and basic obedience DVD's (or instant streaming) they have here. Alot of what your looking for to calm things down a bit can be found in those two.

Do you have her on a nilif program? That can be one excellent way to boost her confidence both in herself and in you as a pack leader.

I can't afford those DVDs, and the streaming videos never work on my computer for some reason.

What's a nilf program? I've never heard that before. I do what I learned here when it comes to pack structure.

Nothing In Life Is Free.Example..Sit before getting the food bowl. Lay down before going through the doorway.

I was trying to find a link to better explain the NILIF program as I use it here. Basically the pup has to earn everything and you decide when she gets attention, not her but I get the feeling she isn't running the show.

Ps It sounds like she had a really close bond with the foster that left. My dogs tend to be a little off when a member of the core group dies or a longtime foster leaves. The NILIF programs always sees us through these patches.

Further examples of a strict NILF program:
No treats/chewies in the house.
No balls/toys laying around in the house.
Not allowing the dog to 'self satisfy' on or with anything... such as helping themselves onto the furniture.

OH. I had no idea that has a special name, lol. Yeah, she isn't in charge - I don't let her have/do anything without giving me something first.

I really do think she bonded well with the old foster. But, I just got a new one in today, and she seems especially interested in her. So maybe they'll get along like Tonka and Buddy did. Thanks everyone.