Separation Anxiety or Abandonment?

[brandynq]

My fox terrier Flash is about 4 1/2 months old. I adopted him 3 days ago and I have a question. Whenever he's in his crate and I leave the room, he starts to whine (sometimes very loudly). Is he developing separation anxiety already or does he think I'm adandoning him (since he's still getting used to his new home).Thanks
-Brandyn

 

[aurorab]

It could be any of the 3. At this point it would be hard to tell. Baby was a rescue and she had a very hard time being by herself. When we 1st got her she was supposed to be for my mother in law. The 1st time my M.I.L. went to go to her brothers (next apt building over) Baby hid in the bathroom so she just closed the door and left her for maybe 15 mins. Whenshe got back Baby had pulled off chunks of the door (like 2 in wide and altleast half way up), might not sound that bad but she a chi and was onlt like 5 lbs at the time. Luckily she has gotten better. 1 it took time for her to feel secure. 2. we would let her be in the kennel (not bathroom- that doesn't work for her, hehehe) for short prds, a few minutes then let her out and make her feel secure, also be carfull you don't make too much of a fuss when they 1st come out of the kennel. we were able to work it up to longer prds of time. Plus w/ took away anything that she would destroy. For example if she can pull something in and shred it she would but her bed she would just toss around. It took a bit but she got a lot better. Plus now we have a 2nd chi and she is fine now that she has company.
Also check out this site, we didn't get it but it looks like a great idea. http://www.happypuppyplace.com/toys4.html#Snuggle

 

[Raika's Mom]

When Raika was first getting used to her kennel she whined a lot too. Now she's used to it and is fine when she's in it. He's only been home 3 days...maybe he just needs time to get used to it?

 

[smkie]

who knows what kind of things a pup has been thru before it comes to you..Victor is point blank terrified of being left in the bathroom.even for one minute to dry after his bath..he cant get out of there fast enuff..so i don't put him there..if he had the same reaction to a crate and i got a pretty sneaky feeling he would..i wouldn't do that either. he was so traumatized when i got him..that i gave him a thousand percent tlc..i didn't leave his side..if i had to i got a sitter. If GG wasn't available, i paid for one. A possible business idea for my daughter..or anyone, dog sitter. anway Mary too had anx when she was a pup..and for the first two years. WE started with just shuting the door between she and i..me sitting on the other side singing to her and playing with her toes under the door..then stretched it out minute by minute..until i could leave her and know she was just fine. i am not a crate advocate.

 

[Fran27]

All puppies cry at first when left in the crate. Just ignore it and after a few days they get used to it.

Some people don't like crates, personally I think it's a good thing to have them used to being alone, and to get them used to being in a crate, because staying a few days at the vet if needed will be much less hard on your dog if they are used to it.