Oso's separation anxiety
He definitely has some separation anxiety. My concern is more for the distress he's in than the destruction he may cause, as the only objects in the house that have been affected... uh, so far... are the blinds (completely chewed up and destroyed, so can't get any worse there) and the couch near the window which he seems to wait on and drool - so it just gets all wet. Like, REALLY wet. But not chewed on at all. Though I do worry that he may turn on the couch... The few times we've had to leave him for more than 10 minutes, he's had to stay in the basement which he hates. I've tried to convince him that it's part of the house (it's a basement apartment that is currently used as workout space and linen closet/overflow pantry). I've gone down there with him to lift some weights, do some organizing and even just ate my lunch down there while watching a movie. But the fact of the matter is that, while it's part of the house, it isn't actually part of the living space and he knows it. He's definitely more relaxed when left inside the house - even if I have him go in his crate. Though he still gets super drooly! But I don't want to leave him in his crate for a full workday. I have no experience with crate training, so I don't know whether a full workday in a crate (8 hours max) is normal, or cruel and unusual. Advice? (also, how do I attach a picture? I've got a super cute one from Christmas) |
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| With our first sheepdog, Mady, we crated her during the workday and any other time she was alone at home for almost her first two years. My wife works a 5 minute walk from home, so she goes home every lunch-hour. Mady was perfectly fine with this. And she is perfectly fine being uncrated for the past year, as are our other two sheepies. But we had her from a puppy, and started crate training from day 1. So I imagine it would be more difficult for Oso to adapt with his separation anxiety. Oh, and I thought I should say that our sheepies are much much happier when we're home with them (so am I!). They are unhappy when we leave, I think that is normal for sheepdogs. But not the level of anxiety and destructive behaviour Oso is displaying. |
Thanks David! Yes, He and I are both happier when I'm home with him  Fortunately, I only have to go into the office two days a week, so he's not alone very often, but it is clearly very hard on him. Yesterday, after a 7 hour day, he came inside, got a long drink (he seemed to have left his water untouched all day) and completely passed out for a couple of hours. Poor boy was so exhausted from the stress. He is crate trained, and goes in there sometimes when he just wants to relax, so maybe he would be more comfortable inside in the crate rather than in the basement. But I don't really get a lunch hour - I could come home for a few minutes to let him out to potty, but a few minutes may just create too much excitement. And he doesn't usually go out again until about 6 in the evening anyway.This sweet boy is only with us for another two weeks. Even so, I am trying to do desensitization with him. But if he were our dog I would make sure there was a good way he could stay inside the house. Even so I am considering simply covering the couch with something to absorb/block his drool and seeing how he does inside. I have left him for 15-45 minutes by himself and I can tell that he still gets up in the window (which means getting on the couch) because of nose prints left there, but I don't think he has done any more chewing on the blinds. And if he does, well, they're already ruined anyway. He is not crated in his own home anymore... His owners worked with him and he got over the anxiety he had in the beginning. I can tell hes adapting here too, but a few weeks just isn't enough time... And if he chews up the new leather couch in the family room it would be a major disaster! I think I trust him not to do that though because he is very respectful of things that are not his and I believe he only chewed up the blinds because it was a possible escape route. I just haven't had enough experience with him to anticipate his behavior. I can tell he's used to being home alone during the day because his habit is to sleep or be generally lazy during the day and then get super playful around 6 in the evening But I don't think he allows himself to relax enough to sleep when we are gone and he is alone in this relatively new place.When left inside in the crate for any extended period of time he has drooled an ocean and a couple of times he peed. But he did both of those things downstairs too. And I still think that he's less comfortable downstairs than he is being crated upstairs. And he has peed downstairs too, but has ceased doing that, and now just drools. A LOT! I wish I could ask him which option is less stressful! there are two reasons why crating him inside is somewhat problematic. 1) There's not really space for his water bowl (maybe a pet store would have another option - like something that mounts to the side?), and 2) if he's pees in the crate he gets it all over himself, while if he pees downstairs he only gets it on his feet. That's partly a selfish reason because that means a more difficult clean-up job for me. Still, I think I have nearly talked myself into crating him inside tomorrow because I truly believe it would cause him less distress. Poor baby! |
| He might really be more comfortable and secure in the crate. I worried about Mady being in the crate all day, but every time I snuck home and looked in the window she was fast asleep. It almost seemed like she felt 'off-duty' and could relax in there. Now that we have three dogs, and a tiny house, three crates would be impractical, although we have done it in the past when necessary! Just make sure that the crate is big enough to stand up and turn around in. Maybe try it when you are just out for an hour or so running some errands? |
| Kim - Thanks, the crate is definitely big enough for him. I don't have a super good option for water, but I can figure something out. He doesn't tend to step in or spill his bowls normally, but in that small space he may knock it over. And I think you're right - even if he is nervous about my leaving, I think overall he may really be more at ease in the crate inside the house. I'll just put it in the kitchen or on a tarp or something in case he pees (he is a boy after all and he has gotten it both inside AND a little outside the crate in the past). He was fine in the crate - or even just in the house - for errands at first, but the first time we left him for more than 4 hours is when he freaked out and ate the blinds. Ever since then he's been a basket case when he has to be alone even for a short time. I've tried, but I haven't been able to sneak home to peek in the window without his knowing that I'm there though, so I can't tell which options are less stressful for him. Either that or he seriously just waits in an attentive sitting position staring at the doorknob the whole time we're gone! :p |
| He should be fine in the crate all day without water. No different then sleeping all night without water. My Teddy is always crated without water and he does just fine. I've been hoping to do away with the crate now that he's 2 years old but he still loves to sleep there. I think they feel safe in the crate, like a den. Just make sure he's all emptied out before you crate him and hopefully that will solve the peeing in the crate issue. Good luck with him and he is lucky to have such a great place to vacation! Cindy |
| Thanks Cindy! I think the peeing problem is more of a nervous thing than a need to go. He always goes potty before we leave. And there's never a large amount of urine (though he's certainly capable of large amounts). Also, thank you for your kind words. I am lucky we were chosen to sit for him, or I never would have known what awesome dogs OESes are. I was so struck with his kindness, politeness and willingness to please, as well as his calm energy when he's not at play. That's what got me on this forum! I had never met an OES before this one and I am hopelessly in love him! Tomorrow we are going to try the crate inside and see how it goes. Ill leave the TV on for him and perhaps turn the drier on right before I leave to add some more familiar "business as usual" atmosphere. |
| The crate is worth a try. Many dogs feel the need to watch over the entire house when the people leave, and it causes them more stress and anxiety. By crating (and a covered crate works better), they can be relieved of that need and not get as anxious. |
Sounds like he is a sweetie pie!  I will echo what everyone else has said. It sounds like he is more secure and comfortable in his crate when you are gone, and that being loose in the house is too much for him. If you are concerned that your workdays are too long for him to be crated, you might want to consider having a dog walker come in at lunch on the days you have to be gone. Laurie and Oscar |
| And one more "yes" for the crate. We had a pair of dogs when hubby and I both worked full-time. Dogs went in the crate last thing before we left in the morning, and let out first thing after we got home. No problems at all. And since you say it is only a couple of days a week, even better for Oso. Good luck! |
| I agree with the crate. I would also give him a kong with peanut butter. Kongs have always kept my dogs busy and couldn't wait o go into the crate and have the kong. There is a dish you can get for the crate. Even use a smaller one. I also put a couple of toys in there as well. |
| Thanks to everyone for the support, encouragement and reinforcement of my instincts about what would be best for Oso. As it turned out, he did not have to stay alone in the house on Thursday because my fiance ended up staying home sick. He did spend a little over an hour in the crate by himself on Sunday while we went to Costco, and while he barked a couple of times when he heard the car door close, scrunched up his crate pad, and was perhaps overly excited when we got back, he didn't drool or pee. So today was the first workday in the crate at our house. He actually went in the crate by himself right after our morning walk. I gave him a Kong with peanut butter and waited a while before closing the crate up. He was fine. By the time I left the house he looked almost asleep. He stood up a bit nervously when he heard the jingle of my keys and the front door open, but he didn't bark or jump or anything. I came home to a dry crate - hallelujah! No drooling, no pee, just a scrunched up crate pad and a dog so relieved that I was home that it took a few minutes for him to calm down to the point that I would open the door for him. When I did he bounded out and grabbed a toy and started tossing it int he air. A happy puppy! I think by next week he'd be ready to leave alone OUT of the crate for errands... but by next week he'll be back at his own house... I'm so sad  Anyway, thanks again for all your help. Today was a resounding success! Now we're gonna go play some ball! |
Hooray for Oso . . . and for you!  |
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