Dogsitting a seperation anxiety dog
She adjusted well to the car ride and became quick friends with the sheepies. Asterisk is thrilled to have a friend to play with. They're both over a year now so they are both very puppy still. Wendel was too busy showing her that he was boss and was trying to hump her. Of course, with the size difference, he was easily 6 inches above her. Here is our dilemma. When we let her outside and we aren't with her, she tenses up. She won't leave the deck and just cries. I think she's so terrified that we're leaving her that she doesn't realize that if she goes to the bathroom, she will be let right back in. So, of course, this morning I let out the dogs, Wendel and Asterisk go and do their thing. I had gone to the basement to feed the cats, but I had a suspicion that Daisy never went potty. This was later confirmed when I found her accident in the basement. I didn't punish her. I didn't see her do it and I had the suspicion that enough time had passed that I don't think she would have known what she was being punished for. What should I do? I tried going outside with all three and at that point, the sheepies thought it was a party and thought we were going to play frisbee. So needless to say, Daisy didn't go, she was too focused on me. Help! It's going to be a long two weeks if I can't figure out how to work on this... |
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Quote: This was later confirmed when I found her accident in the basement. I didn't punish her. I didn't see her do it and I had the suspicion that enough time had passed that I don't think she would have known what she was being punished for. Never punish a dog with separation anxiety for potting on the floor. They simply can't help it and you'll add to the dog's anxiety. Put her in another room or outside to play while you clean it up. Quote: Here is our dilemma. When we let her outside and we aren't with her, she tenses up. She won't leave the deck and just cries. I think she's so terrified that we're leaving her that she doesn't realize that if she goes to the bathroom, she will be let right back in.
Try taking her out on a leash by herself. Don't coddle, just tell her to do her business. Maybe walk a little with her. Limit the areas she has access to in the house, preferably tiled areas... close the basement door if possible to prevent her from using that area again. This link may offer some help- http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_p ... xiety.html Understand that you're not going to correct this problem in the next 2 weeks. It's something the owners must work on. Go in assuming you'll need to clean up a mess and you'll be much happier. Speaking from experience.  |
| Thank you for the advice, Jaci! I agree with the punishment and the accident. Josh, who Daisy has fallen in love with, said that it wasn't a big deal, to just clean it and we'd figure it out.
I think your advise of taking her out on her own with the leash may help us as well. I always take the sheepies on nightly walks, so that should take care of our problem this evening. We have chosen to crate her while we're out of the house, for her safety and the safety of the house. Her owner tells us that she isn't destructive, but she will have accidents in the house. Any additional help you or others could offer will be wonderful! |
| the owners told you she had a history of this?? Has the dog been to the vet to rule out any health problems that might cause this? If not I would start there. |
Lunderwood wrote: the owners told you she had a history of this?? Has the dog been to the vet to rule out any health problems that might cause this? If not I would start there.
No, the owners didn't tell me that. But it became obvious within 15 minutes of her being in the house. She has to know where you are the entire time she's in the house. She almost has to crawl into your skin. Her owner did tell me that if she wasn't crated she would deficate and urinate in the house, but she is house trained. I don't think Daisy's mom understands how anxious that she is. I know that her mom gets frustrated with her and is causing more anxiety. I was going to talk to her when she returns from England about Daisy's anxiety. I know she loves Daisy dearly, but just doesn't understand why she's this way. I do know that she was at a high kill shelter. No history if she ever had an owner, she was picked up as a stray. |
| The only thing I can add is positive re-inforcement-treats, treats, and more treats. |
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