problem with new adopted dog

[zasha]

Hi, I adopted a wonderful 4 year old shih tzu a week ago. He's adapted very well to our home. I don't know anything about his life before. We have left him alone twice for about an hour and he peed and pooped both times. The first time he had the run of the house. The second time we confined him to a bathroom with a kiddie gate. He's also barking as we leave and we hear him barking when we get back. The other thing is that he doesn't need to pee or poop often. I've been taking him outside every couple of hours as well as first thing in the morning and last thing at night with the prompt "go potty." He's peed and pooped just ONCE during the day and it's been about
mid-day. When he goes, he gets praised and a little treat. He has had no accidents while we are at home. What do you think?

 

[nedim]

Just my guess, but maybe its seperation anxiety?

 

[Debi]

zasha, I moved your question to this forum so that it would receive more notice for you. WELCOME!!!

 

[Summer Magic]

Have you tried crating him when you leave home? He might not be crate trained, but it sure will save your carpet and furniture. Start by feeding him in the crate for a few days with the door open to get him used to it. I feel one should not leave a dog uncrated until you're certain the dog can be completely trusted. Also do you follow NILIF? If not start right away. NILIF is an acronym for Nothing In Life Is Free. It means you should require the dog to do something (work, like sit lay down, speak, anything) for you before you do anything for them. This includes food, water, play times, walks, and potty time. It will help him understand that he has to look to you for everything. It will help build his confidence in you and in himself.

 

[Saje]

I agree with Nedim. I think it is separation anxiety and I really don't think locking him in a crate will help him with that. The bathroom and gate is an excellent idea. He might have a fear of abandonment. I know when we first got our Mikey from the shelter he messed in the house. It was the first time we left him alone and it was the only time he did it. He's very good normally.

Off the top of my head some of the things that might help are...

- give him a sweater that smells like you to curl up on you could even wrap a warm water bottle in it so it's more comforting

- try getting him used to being in the bathroom while you are home.

- be patient. He's only been there for a week and he may just need time to understand that you ARE coming back.

I'm sure CreatureTeacher or Doberluv will be along to give you some more advice as will others.

 

[bridey_01]

It could be seperation anxiety, but it also sounds as if the little guy is bored. Have you given him anything while he is alone in the bathroom?. Try leaving him in there with a kong or maybe a buster ball that he can work on for a while, this will also help if the problem turns out to be seperation anxiety. I would probably not recommend having him locked in the crate, but having a crate in there with the door open may make him feel as if he has somewhere to go. Good luck

 

[LynnBrant]

separation anxiety

If he pees and poops when you leave him for an hour maybe it was because he had to pee and poop? Take him for a long walk before leaving him alone. That will not only give him a chance to go but exercise is a great cure for separation anxiety. Also, start leaving him for very short periods of time and then returning soon. He basically needs to learn and have confidence that when you leave him, you WILL return.

 

[Doberluv]

I think everyone gave you good points and ideas...toys, your scent, a nice walk before you leave. I agree that it may be seperation anxiety and I think Lynn agrees with me on a method to get him to understand that you will return.

I wrote (as usual) a long winded reply to someone else on the forum with a similar problem, but the dog is barking and crying incessantly when the owner is gone.

I would try this gradual process with your dog too...to condition it to your being gone.

Once in a while my Chihuahua will go in the house. I don't think she has seperation anxiety. She's very use to my coming and going and I've had her for 4 years. She is all curled up and sleeping when I come home and looks content and is with 2 other dogs. What happens sometimes is, I let her out before I leave. She may not have to go then. But a couple hours later, it must hit her that she does have to go and she's not one to hold it very long. So, our timing isn't always on their poop schedule. LOL.

Anyhow, here's an over detailed description of how I'd go about it with conditioning:

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6697