Throwming tantrums
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| Sounds like he is suffering from Separation Anxiety. Do you have a crate/kennel that you could put him in while you are gone? |
| I was worried that it might be too late since he was never crate trained. |
Welcome to the forum! 
I think a crate is a good idea too, it will keep your home, and him, safe when you can't be there and most dogs come to think of it as a safe, comforting den-like place. I don't think it's too late, he's still a pup, but you'll never know unless you try
Or even use baby gates to seperate him in a smaller area of your home? Bach's Rescue Remedy is another option. A natural, herbal drop solution you put on their tongue or in their water, is said to relieve anxiety. We love to see pics, if you take a look through the pics section there are instructions on how to upload them if you want |
| Crating helps but it does take a while for the dogs to get used to them..
How about a doggy/baby gate? blocking him off into only certain areas? |
Bastian'sMom wrote: I was worried that it might be too late since he was never crate trained.
I got Maggie at 1 year old and was told she Hated the crate. With positive reinforcement, she easily adapted and goes in willingly. 8 months is definitely not too late. |
| I could have written this post it is so familiar. It IS definitely separation anxiety.
We did not crate Harry when we got him (at six and a half months) we just sectioned him off in the kitchen with a board. He was really good for about 6 weeks and THEN the destruction began: A wall (I repaired it), the bottom of the door jam, some kitchen chairs (which our previous dog started 10 years ago but Harry definitely finished the job) and a window sill. There was no consistency in chewing - some days he chewed and some he didn't so I assumed it was boredom. So when I knew I was going to leave him I actually took him on a long walk to wear him out BUT those were his worst days. We crated him immediately when he chewed two chairs and a window sill in one day. After someone mentioned Separation Anxiety, I realized that was what it was. And the destruction occured on the days when there was a CHANGE in routine. Monday through Friday we left the house at the same time and came home at the same time. But the two days I tried to wear him out were a day I took off in the middle of the week and a Saturday (once we were home past the usual dparture time he didn't expect us to leave). Also I realized in our case he was good initially because he probably wasn't overly attached yet. We crated him at about the same age as you and the pet store people were great training us to entice him in. Most people will tell you to lock your dog up when you are at home sometimes so that he doesn't think the only time to go in the crate is when you are leaving. That is a good idea but I couldn't bring myself to do it. So we have to lead Harry to the crate and he knows what that means so he doesn't just go on command. We have another problem though. Harry still suffers from the Separation Anxiety - he won't eat what goodies we left him in the crate until we get home then he goes in the crate to retrieve them. WE were the problem with that though because we were not consistent with removing the peanut butter filled Kong the minute we let hom out of the crate. So I am now in the process of making sure my husband, two grown sons and myself  enforce the removal of the goodie. The purpose of this is so that Harry will always associate us leaving with a Yummy Kong and if he neglects to eat it while we are gone then he will lose out. I am also freezing the filled Kong so the peanut butter keeps him busier longer.
We have just started in the last week leaving him out in the house when we will be gone for less than 30 minutes. Always showing him the Kong when we leave. He has passed all four times!  We check the house when we get back and we know he spent time with his Kong because his breath always smells like peanut butter. 
I know this was long but I hope this helps. The people on this forum really were helpful to us with making this decision. The guilt is still there but he was doing hundreds of dollars in damage. Though I did get some new kitchen chairs out if it.  Good luck. |
Bastian'sMom wrote: I was worried that it might be too late since he was never crate trained.
Please keep in mind that your puppy is in danger if you leave him uncrated and he's chewing things when he's unsupervised. It may take a bit of time and patience to crate train him now but he will be much safer in your absence. Good luck! |
| I think the crate definetly is the way to go! Thanks |
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