In need of SERIOUS crate help

[KaseyCaye]

Hey everyone,

This problem might have already been discussed but I can't find the thread so I am hoping someone will be willing to help me - Diesel has extreme separation anxiety and it has to stop, but nothing I have tried has worked (obviously or else I wouldn't be starting this thread).

I've literally tried every single suggestion I have heard/read/come across momentarily - from crating him but being in the room, leaving the room and coming back when he's quiet, a kong toy, a chew toy, bones, playing crate games, leaving him out of the crate (that was NOT a good idea), putting things that smell like me in there, turning music on, turning the tv on, turning lights on, just putting him in there and leaving him, changing my morning routine so he can't pick up on those cues, feeing him in his crate, everything! Nothing has helped, he still freaks out - dumps over his water bowl, spends the whole time barking, and today (the reason for my thread) he has completely pulled one of the metal wires out of place - meaning he ripped one side completely free.

I just don't know what to do anymore - I hate that he is so anxious but I have to work! Taking him to doggy day-care isn't an option since I can't afford it and there isn't one less than 45 minutes away anyway, I can't get another dog right now, I don't have a friend who can watch him - it's very frustrating.

So doesn't anyone have any ideas? I know that he's hurting himself being in the crate (by chewing on the bars and such) but I also know it isn't because he doesn't like his crate (sometimes he goes and lays in there for no reason).

Diez and I are very very grateful for your help :hail:

 

[Doberluv]

Have you seen a vet? He may benefit from some anti-anxiety meds, at least for a while. They may make it so he can calm down enough that he is able to learn and accept being left for short periods of time at first and all that you've been working on. If I were in your shoes, I'd make a vet appointment and discuss this. It sounds like you've done a lot.

Another thought....do you do any obedience training or some other confidence building games like tug etc? (tug needs rules though) Those things can help increase confidence. In the book, Culture Clash, she talks about separation anxiety and has some good ideas for alone training. But sometimes they're so severe that I think a vet needs to be consulted. I sure hope you get the help you both need.

 

[KaseyCaye]

I had thought about the medication route - I didn't really want to take it if I had another option though...but it got worse today - when I got home (just a normal 9-5 day at work mind you I don't leave him inside his crate for exceptional amounts of time) Diez had pulled that wire clean off the crate and somehow (I'm still amazed this was accomplished) managed to pull up a significant amount of the carpeting from around his crate (and subsequently from a large portion of my room). I don't know what to do anymore - I just don't know.

 

[theresa92841]

Have you tried leaving him somewhere besides the crate? In a room that is doggie safe where he has the option to go into his crate? sometimes being out of the crate can help this type of dog.

 

[KaseyCaye]

Yes I doggy-proofed my bedroom, the room that contains the crate, (everything was up and out of the way...well I learned that even up and out of the way isn't enough sometimes - I've lost a lot of books and other items to his anxiety) and baby-gated him inside of it. That seemed to work for a couple of days but then he actually physically chewed apart the gate and made his escape into the rest of the apartment.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I don't know what to do anymore - I just don't know.

Vet check and consultation with a behaviorist.... asap. Good luck.