problems with dog

[binny]

please dont flame me, I really am trying to find a solution here.

My dog Angel is about 4 she is a very sweet dog. the problem is she is WAYYYY too needy!

We got her from the Pound in November and right away she had issues. She wet the floor several times which I chalked up to nervousness and we got through it. She has always been really clingy though. To the point of it being dangerous. she is constantly underfoot trying to get our attention. We pet her and play with her but its never enough! You could sit and play with er for an hour and she would still be bugging you for more.

She has serious seperation anxiety, I cant leave her alone inside because she chews everything up. If I leave her outside she barks. I cant stay home all the time and nothing Ive tried works!

The worst of it happened this weekend. I left her with friends, shes been there before and has done fairly well, but this time she got into a world of trouble! She dug up the garden ( shes never done that here) she dug a hole in the ground and she ripped a pillow that was really special to y friend . My friend basically said she cant come back. She also told me that she has never seen an animal that is as needy as Angel is.

Dh is livid! If this were an isloated incident I might be able to let it pass, but I have been dealing with this since we got her and have tried everything I know and nothing is working. I think she was raised by a little old lady who had nothing to do but hand feed her and pet her all the time.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I'm at a loss.

 

[AspiringCindy]

This may sound weird, but you may want to consider getting an additional dog. Maybe you can borrow someones dog for a few days to see if it works. I had a problem similar to this years ago and was told by a breeder to find a companion for our companion. It worked, and ever since then, we are never without a pair! The two keep each other occupied!

 

[laceemouse]

Have you asked a professional dog trainer? We just got a pound puppy and he is BAD!!! He wets in the house, wants to go out all the time but barks if you leave him out by himself, chews things up, tries to attack other digs, steals the kids food, nips at us when playing, etc. Our kids love him so I guess we have to make the best of it. We have been talking to different trainers and plan on working with one over the summer. We need a miracle!!

 

[jrmasm]

Is she crate trained?

 

[binny]

well Im not alone at least

Im so torn because she is really patient with the kids. On the other hand I cant handle more destruction


Yes she is crate trained but she has hip dysplaxia and I think it bothers her to be in there, she is always so stiff when she has been in there for even a couple of hours.

Thanks for the ideas. Ill talk to dh about them all.



He is almost to the point of seeing if there is a little old from church who needs a companion, Angel would be perfect for that.
I hate to let her go though.

 

[ahutton]

I second the idea of crate training - it truly gives them a way to feel secure. Is there medication she can have for the stiffness? Or is it something that resolves fairly quickly once she gets out and moves around a bit? I know my pound puppy would have been gone long ago were it not for her "house". She has only ever chewed up one thing that was not an appropriate chew toy, she has very few accidents in the house (although after both DDs were born we had some serious regression) and has been a great dog.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

This may sound weird, but you may want to consider getting an additional dog.

I was going to suggest the same thing. I had a Black Lab from the pound once who was exactly as you described. She couldn't be left alone for 20 minutes without getting frantic. We got a 2nd dog and they became best friends and life was much easier after that.

As for crate training, if you have room you might try one of the largest sized cages that would give her room to stand up and move around in.

 

[doxdogy]

When we got our Buddy, he was at the opposite end of the spectrum. He was scared to death of us. If you bent over to pet him, he would run from you. It took almost a year to get him to trust us. My dogs tend to get under my feet. After being almost stepped on a couple of times they figured out they better move fast. If has hip dysplasia, try putting a pad in her crate for her to lay on. Has the vet given you any meds for the pain? A companion may help her, it is really hard to tell without getting her one. Good luck with her.

 

[jrmasm]

You can buy orthopedic crate pads and heated crate pads.

 

[poohbear1029]

who knows about separation anxiety! Our part springer has separation anxiety and in our last move, had a total meltdown!! Couldnt crate him (and we typically did before) because he was hurting himself trying to get out... Now we have him as an outdoor dog during the day with a fenced in yard and doggy door to the garage for shelter.

If you have a camcorder and tripod, set it up to see what she does when you are not home. Then bring to vet and show them.....we actually saw an animal behaviorialist in Columbus, OH who helped us to retrain ourselves and the dog. Her theory was that a 2nd dog could be a crap shoot....it could help, or your dog could just make the other dog behave similarly.....that's why you should talk to vet first.....

Our dog also now takes a dose of Clomicalm daily...it is an anti-anxiety for canines...about $40 a month.....much better than the $200 a month for people version when he was first diagnosed!!!! Now that they have canine version it is a lifesaver.

The expert on the separation anxiety is Dr. Dodman in MA at Tufts Veterinary....he has an excellent book called "The Dog Who LOved too Much." There is also another good one by another author named "Dont Shoot the Dog!"

If you need any tips, please PM me!!! I have been there!!!

 

[stamper]

Here is a link to an article about separation anxiety in dogs, It is at a wonderful site for all pet owners. There is also a message board with many knowledgeable and helpful people....try posting a question on the "Help" board.

 

[WebmasterPete]

I feel your pain. I adopted a dog from the pound last year, and had terrible problems with him. He insisted on going to the bathroom in the house. He loved to chew anything and everything in site (including my couch). When I left him with a friend while I was on vacation, he dug up their backyard (I had to pay to have it fixed). We sent him to obedience school and that helped a lot. He still has some things to learn, but he is definately much better. Almost all PetSmart stores have obedience training, and that might be a good solution for you.

Pete

 

[Serena]

Binny, do you have a Humane Society near you? If you do, go to them. They will help you.
The crate training, and the obediance training will help a lot.
Along with that, make sure your doggie gets lots of exercise. Wear that poor thing out, then let it rest in the crate.

Good luck. I know this can be helped, so hang in there.

 

[dalepool]

I would suggest dog training. This sounds like a keeper---just needs to learn the rules of the house. Dogs actually want and respect order. Let the dog know --with proper traing---you, your kids , and husband are ahead of him. Let him know it is not ok to dig or chew items other than his chew bone---remember to many toys is actually a distraction. One chew bone can remain out at all times this is the dogs property. You only let the dog have other toys out--and only for a short period of time---when he is behaving as told.

I might suggest a doggy camp --this is where you leave your pet to learn the basic commands---someplace close would be nice one on one traing is usually provided at the same time. It can be a little spendy but well worth the money. Made a world of differnce in our pet. He is happier and so are we. We still work with him everyday---He is always having to have his commands reinforced.

PattyN

 

[binny]

Thanks everyone

I talked with my Vet about this a few weeks ago and she said many of the same things. I have tried a lot of them but there are some new ideas here I will look into, thanks!

She doesnt really like toys, how strange is that? She likes her rawhides but htats about it. She doesnt like to play with the kids, she just wants to be petted by them.

Thanks gang, I will look into these ideas