new dog problems; chewing, urinating and barking
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| I don't have much time right now, but will address this a bit later. A couple of questions first...
1- Any reason why are you are not using a crate? 2-How are you responding to his barking? 3-How are you handling his potty duties right now? e.g. What schedule, cues etc are you on? 4-How long has he been with you? From 47 pounds to 74 would take a few weeks, I imagine, so do I understand that this has been going on for a few weeks and getting progressively worse? Just trying to get a handle on his recent history to form a baseline to start from. And BTW, thank you so much for adopting a rescue dog! They are often not easy, but well worth the effort! |
| Hi Bosley's mom. Thank you for your help, and here are the answers you were looking for:
1. I haven't crated him just because I have never done that before, and wasn't sure how an older dog would do with that, since I am gone at work all day. This, I am sure, is me being ignorant. 2. When it comes to his barking, when I get to the car, I tell him no, but by then he has stopped because he saw me. Same thing with today, when he was inside. I stopped the mowing, came over and told him no, and then kept mowing. Then, when I came by and he wasn't barking, I told him good boy. 3. When I am home, I try to bring him out on a regular basis. I use the word "potty" when we go out. He seems to know this, because he goes outside, goes potty, and trots right back to the door. I haven't been able to figure out when he needs to go out yet, a cue, but like I said, he doesn't do it when I am inside with him. 4. Bentley has been with me 4 weeks to the day. Yes, it is getting progressively worse. Thanks again! |
| The behaviors you talk about are anxiety issues. Please refer to this section on the forum for suggestions and I would also suggest purchasing the book the The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell who talks about how dogs behave in a pack and your responsibilities as a pack leader to help break him of these issues. You can purchase the Dog Listener through OES.org to help raise a few cents for this forum too. |
| These behaviors are not specific to OES, so this thread probably could be moved to a more appropriate area. I note that many topics in the "Behavior" index are not specific to OES's, so didn't think it was a big deal. I did a search for "Anxiety" and nothing came up. Where is that subject to be found?
Crate-training can be found in a separate section, though, and would be very helpful in this case. Being all alone in a big house, can be stressful, and a crate can eliminate that once the dog is comfortable and feeling safe in it. That may take time if not already crate-trained. Have you tried it? As for the barking, in order to eliminate the "stressful" type of barking you will need to eleiminate the stress. A crate may very well help in this area, also. If your dog is barking and carrying on because it is away from you then you ned to work on that, so he is OK when you are not around. But if the dog is barking because it doesn't like the sound of the low-mower then that is what you need to wokr on. This is different from "demand barking" where the dog barks when it wants something, like to go for a walk, to play with a ball, when supper is being served. This type is basic manners, and the dog can be trained on how to behave "instead" of barking. Urinating is another issue, and can be taken care of in the "house-training" but if it is stress-related then by removing the anxieity these behaviors will go away. |
| I definitely think the urinating at barking are a separation anxiety issue.
Both of my Boxers had it and the only was that they wouldn't urinate or deficate in the house while I was out was crating them. They felt more comfortable in their crates Good Luck Elissa |
| Thank you for everyone's input. I just talked with my neighbor who stated that during the day, she see's Bentley jumping all over the place and barking while I am at work. I think I will invest in a crate. Is this something that will eventually get better once he is comfortable with me and his new place? Any experience with outcomes would be appreciated.
Thanks again! |
| A crate is a great idea, but please remember to take off his collar when he is left in it so it doesn't get caught on anything and harm him. He may be a little anxious in it at first if he has never been in one.... if a crate doesn't work then I would most definitely make sure he is in a small room that is as dog proof as possible. (when you are away from him) |
| My Boxer had to be in a crated her entire life when we weren't home. She never got over the anxiety. Right now all three of my dogs have full run of the house.
My German Shepherd and Toy Poodle were crated until we moved to this house and put in the dog door. Also the two of them used to get in a lot of trouble when they were younger. The Poodle's seperation anxiety was worse he chewed the bottom of the cabinets. Pepsi had a bit of it after I got him but now he is fine in the house. I have had him for 10 mos. It really depends on the dog. Some really enjoy the secure feeling they get from being crated. Elissa |
| Hi Bentley's Mom,
I'm a big believer in crating, it gives me a feeling of reassurance that Bailey won't get into something dangerous while we're away. But please realize that the crate by itself may not resolve the separation anxiety issues if the cause is dominance related. I, too, strongly recommend The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell. It really opens your eyes to how your dog views his world, which is really different than how we view it. Good Luck! Sue |
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