Sign Up
Search

need advice

Home » Training & Behavior » need advice
New Topic
  • Kellie Sherman
    • Puppy

    need advice

    Kellie Sherman

    Posted : 1/19/2007 6:51:56 PM

    I need some advice. I live in an apartment and while I am at work I put my 1 year old Boston Terrier in the bathroom. My problem is he scratches and digs through the walls! I move into my brand new house in 3 months and I really do not want him digging through my new walls. I have tried putting him in a cage but he gets mad and pees all over the place. I got him neutured and that calmed him down for a little while but he got right back into that habbit. I even put tons of toys in there with him so he doesnt get bored. I aslo have a 5 year old boston so I know he's not lonley during the day. I have ran out of ideas and I really need some help. :(

    Kellie
  • Chuffy
    • Gold Top Dog
    Chuffy

    Posted : 1/19/2007 9:15:54 PM

    How long is he left for? 
    How much exercise does he have before and after work?  A tired dog is a good dog!
    What other stimulation does he have - training, interactive toys, play?  Clicker training is particularly tiring for dogs.
    Could someone come round to let him out/play with/exercise/spend time with him during the day? 
    Have you considered day care? 
     
    What kind of toys did you leave for him? 
    Interactive ones? 
    He may still be at the tail end of teething, have you tried freezing any of his chews/toys? 
     
    How big was the crate? 
    How did you introduce him to it?
     
    Have you tried a dap diffuser?
    Rescue remedy?
     
    It sounds like seperation anxiety - what did you do to acclimitise him to solitide before leaving him for the work day?
    Have you tried leaving the house for very short periods (seconds at first) and working up?
    Do you ignore him before leaving in the morning and do you also downplay your arrival home so that he is not in an emotional state while you are out?
     
  • dutiful_dog
    • Puppy
    dutiful_dog

    Posted : 1/20/2007 3:24:54 PM

    Hi Kellie,
     
    This behaviour is definately separation anxiety coming out.  All the toys in the world aren't going to replace your presence for the little guy.  I'm not an expert so I don't have any really good tips to fix the problem, but I would suggest a book like [linkhttp://dsepich.sitstay.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=DUTDOG]Sit Stay Fetch[/link] that covers separation anxiety.  I'm sure there are other resources out there so either go for this one or find something else with good material on how to help your dog handle your extended absence during the day.
     
    Best of Luck to you Kellie.
     
    Maggie.
  • spiritdogs
    • Gold Top Dog
    spiritdogs

    Posted : 1/20/2007 8:55:56 PM

    A great little book (inexpensive, too) is "I'll Be Home Soon - How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety" by Patricia McConnell.  You can get it from her website, www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com.