Deffpony Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 So I need advice for an issue I am having with my dog. His name is Bruce. I rescued him in November. Hes two years old and is a great dog. Very affectionate and playful. The issue I am having with Bruce is his separation anxiety. When I first brought him home he seemed fine. But after about a month he cant stand to be left alone. If I leave him in the house by himself he starts jumping up on counters and chewing random household items. He will rip down the shades/curtains and claw at the door. I started keeping him in a kennel but over time he has managed to break it and it has become useless. I left him in the yard within the fence last week when I would leave for school/work but he dug 3 huge holes, an nearly crawled into the neighbors yard. I have had many dogs before and other than the puppy stage of chewing everything I have never dealt with this. I have been forced to keeping Bruce in the bathroom when Im gone but I wish I could keep him out so he had space. When ever I do leave him I ensure he has plenty of toys, food and water. I even found that leaving the radio on helps a little bit. But eventually he just starts destroying things. Any advice on how I can remedy this. Like I said, hes not my first dog, I just feel I have tried everything. Im about to buy another cage but I really dont want to have him confined in there especially since I usually work long hours. Thanks in advance for any advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmic Gypsy Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) I'm not sure what i would do if i had a dog that did this, i'd probably put him in the crate until i got back to the house unless i was going to be gone for more than a couple hours. I have Cane Corsos, they are large breeds and very powerful, they can't get out of their crate. They are used to it, we have left them in their crates for long periods of time and they happily settle down until we get back. They accept this and just lie down and go to sleep, i don't usually shut a dog in it unless they have an injury or some conflict happened between the dogs earlier in the day, which hardly ever happens. Maybe try giving him a dental stick or something, shutting him in the crate (inside the house) and leaving him each day for a while, gradually increasing the amount of time you leave him. Hopefully the treat will occupy him for long enough to not get anxious? He wouldn't be able to get out of the crate anyway. Before doing this you would need to make sure the dog has a positive association with the crate as cheesy as that sounds, leave it open at all times, put some bedding in their and make it his new bed. Shut the door every once in a while and he'll be fine with it, give him praise when/if he accepts the crate and happily settles in it and act like the crate is a good thing. I wouldn't advice forcing him in though and shutting the door, don't worry about the dog not being able to drink or anything, as long as they've had a decent drink before hand leaving them for a while is ok (unless maybe your climate is notably hot), putting their drinking bowl in the crate could cause problems what with the possibility of the dog spilling everything. You already have the toy situation sorted. Thats a tough problem. Wish i could help more. Edit : Nice dog by the way. I advise visiting dog forums and asking for help, i know a few good ones. http://molosserdogs.com/forum/ This forum specializes in large breeds, Bruce seems to be pretty large, you'll fit right in. Ask your local vet maybe or decent dog trainer. Oh yeah, and like finn said, heaps of exersize always helps calm a restless dog down, a couple of long walks a day does wonders sometimes. Edited March 21, 2013 by Cosmic Gypsy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trip Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 That is a tough situation. Sometimes getting another dog can help. Is he neutered? This is a weird one but I've heard it working: howl when you leave the house. The hunters in dog packs howl before they leave for the days hunt. Generally it is best to not make a fuss when you leave. Have you tried leaving the TV or radio on for company? My crappy games at MyCrappyGames.com Free copy of Save The Puppies and Kittens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn 7 five 11 Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Give him heaps of exercise for one. This takes time, but every day a few times, make him sit or lie down at the door and stay there and not move while you go out the door, increase the distance and time slowly. Also there is some sh*t about you needing to establish that you are the pack leader, so it's okay for you to leave, small things like never letting your dog walk out the front door first when going for walks ect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deffpony Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 (edited) Yes hes neutered. I usually leave the radio on for him. I honestly think he only acts this way out of boredom. When I first discovered the issue I did something kind of tricky. He has a shock collar which I only use when we are at public dog parks just to be safe. One day I set up skype on my laptop so that the camera would face the living room. I made like I was leaving the house, but left Bruce out in the living room to roam. I sat just outside the front door of my apartment monitoring him through the laptop via skype on my phone. I sat there for about 2 hours doing my homework waiting to see if he would do anything and for the most part he just played with his toys. But eventually he started opening up the cabinets and pulling things down in the kitchen. When he would do this I gave him a small shock from outside. He would stop but shortly after start the behavior again. @Finn: Yes I have done both those exercises. He knows that anytime I open a door he most sit and allow me through first. I also have him trained to stay in the kitchen or back room on command. He also doesnt get any food until he shows submissive behavior. For the most part I think I am the pack leader in his eyes. Edited March 21, 2013 by deffpony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Bruce : Woof, woooof, woof wufwuf wooooooooof . Deffpony : Make a room dog proof and show him who's boss by tough love. Some dogs will never learn , others will take ages, and as you haven't had him since he was a pup, it will be very difficult at first. I train dogs for farms, so I'm speaking from experience , our dogs are kept in kennels though . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deffpony Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 Can you elaborate on tough love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinky12 Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 I think your dog is just doing it out of boredom or something. Once I went home and saw shoe boxes knocked over, clothes on the floor, and caught my dog sleeping on the couch, laying on its back with its paws in the air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. León Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Two possible reasons: He wants attention, or he has too much energy. My dog used to do that until I decided to take him out for a walk three times a day, that lowered his energy. Also, you could play fetch with him in an open space to get him tired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deffpony Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 Two possible reasons: He wants attention, or he has too much energy.My dog used to do that until I decided to take him out for a walk three times a day, that lowered his energy. Also, you could play fetch with him in an open space to get him tired. I walk him but not alot. I think Im going to try exercising him much more throughout the day. Its just tough due to time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scottish Guy Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 This is why I prefer cats. They just....learn. Cute dog there though Pony. And comforting to see you go to the shelter for pets. The animals in those enclosures require the most loving. *probably the most humane emotion I express in this place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orbitalraindrops Posted March 21, 2013 Share Posted March 21, 2013 Aaaaw man that is such a cute dog ><. I'll read your thread and give advice to the best of my knowledge but I saw that photo and I was just like SQUEEE!!! XD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deffpony Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share Posted March 21, 2013 He's my second rescue. My other dog is an even bigger handful but that's my girl friends fault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stig Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Only one thing I can think of. He needs a friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H. León Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Only one thing I can think of. He needs a friend. A female friend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adler Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Only one thing I can think of. He needs a friend. A female friend Get that dog a bitch. Dogs love bitches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonshield Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Cute dog there though Pony. And comforting to see you go to the shelter for pets. The animals in those enclosures require the most loving. True facts. While I don't usually hate on people that go to breeders, that's their prerogative, but I think it's pretty sh*tty to go to one just because you want a f*cking purebred. Pony, I think it's time to call the great Caesar Milan, bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Maybe try sitting on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deffpony Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Cute dog there though Pony. And comforting to see you go to the shelter for pets. The animals in those enclosures require the most loving. True facts. While I don't usually hate on people that go to breeders, that's their prerogative, but I think it's pretty sh*tty to go to one just because you want a f*cking purebred. Pony, I think it's time to call the great Caesar Milan, bro. LOL, dont even get me started on that guy. My GF is obsessed with him and everything she does is because Cesar Milan said so. The guy is like half dog or something, but none of his tecniques work for me. On the topic of pure breed: I think it is messed up that there are hundreds of dogs that are waiting to be saved for 60-75 dollars yet people spend hundreds of dollars for a pure breed. Bruce was actually 1 day past his due date to be put to sleep. After visiting the pound I really wanted to take him home but my lady said it was a bad idea and talked me out of it. It bothered me the whole day and I decided to go back and get him anyway. They told me that he was supposed to be put to sleep the day before but somehow he slipped under the radar. Now when I look at him all I can think is how good it feels to know I saved his life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makeshyft Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Maybe try sitting on him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trip Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Maybe try sitting on him. Can't believe it took that long. My crappy games at MyCrappyGames.com Free copy of Save The Puppies and Kittens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deffpony Posted March 22, 2013 Author Share Posted March 22, 2013 Maybe try sitting on him. Can't believe it took that long. Im assuming thats some sort of inside joke way over my head. Ill try sitting on him just to be safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voodoo Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Ill try sitting on him just to be safe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abel. Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Nice dog Deff. Good on you for getting a rescue buddy. My advice really is just the normal stuff, i.e, leave TV on with low volume so he has company, plenty of exercise so he's not too stimulated to rest when you're out and so on. My main bit of advice would be to leave him with a chew toy or something which he enjoys playing with. Bruce looks like a rottweiler or rottweiler cross so I assume he gets through toys pretty quickly (I have a stafford and she wrecks dog toys). I'd say leave him with something like this with some treats or chicken inside. A lot of owners find that these things keep their dogs occupied for a while. You could also try leaving the house for a few minutes and rewarding him when you get back if he's not broken anything--pretty common sense this is mind so you've probably already tried it. Maybe you could play fetch with him in your garden a little more frequently so he's a little less energetic when you leave him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cold blooded Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 make sure your dog knows you're the alpha in the relationship, try spending some time with him before you leave. not necessarily exercise, but maybe play with him a bit. one thing that has worked for me in the past was getting a toy, like what Kong brand has to offer. one that you can fill with peanut butter or small dog biscuits and give it to him before you leave. the idea is to give him plenty to do so he doesn't release that energy on your home. good luck, hes a cool looking dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhitValid Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 If you have as much interest in your dog as you claim to have, and if you are indeed a previous (and good) dog owner, all advice is regurgitated. You've done the research and are feeling the pain of the similar and inefficient answers. Nike hates new places. Though he is not a barky dog, I almost get kicked out every time we move. I've tried all the dumb tricks, but (however anxious it may be) time is the secret. I can only hope that Bruce will get used to the environment over a few more weeks and everything will be fine. It will all work out! Best thing to do is keep him around, regardless. I would keep him in the crate. Alteration between out and in is only creating more turmoil. Really, he feels trapped either way- there's just more stress as to what to do when he is out of it- thus he destroys your things. Be consistent, good luck. This can be one of the most stressful situations but it all works out I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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