I adopted a lab/collie mix about 2 months ago from a shelter. She's just under 9 months and has been fairly good and responsive to training. However in the last few weeks she has been getting seperation anxiety. I have been crate training her from day one. She will go in the crate with no problem even with out coaxing. Within about 3 minutes she will start whinning and barking. I give her what I consider good excersie (a 30 minute walk in the morning, short walk at noon and at 3, a 45 minute jog at 5:30, longer walk at 8 and a walk at 10). I leave a Nylabone and a kong with her in her crate, and make sure she has eliminated before putting her in there). I crate her during the day from 7 to 5 but do have friends and relitives walk her at noon and at 3. She has occasional accidents so I don't feel comfortable letting her have the place to her self when I'm at work. I also crate her at night. her crate is in a unused bedroom and I leave a radio on for her and shut the door. I have the crate partitioned so that she has enought room to lay and turn around.
What can I do to help her with this? is the crate in the right spot and right enviornment? should I increase the crate size? will she grow out of it? does she need medication?
Any input will surely put me at ease!!
Thanks in advance
What can I do to help her with this? is the crate in the right spot and right enviornment? should I increase the crate size? will she grow out of it? does she need medication?
Any input will surely put me at ease!!
Thanks in advance