Could this be separation anxiety in rescued pup

You should talk to your trainer.  It would be much less confusing if you had gotten that booklet "I'll Be Home Soon" as it explains in detail the method and the reasoning behind the method.  I hope you ordered it.  I'd send you a copy but I loaned mine to someone and never got it back.

reneegavin

if I add 5 minutes todya (which takes me up to 10), and he only makes it 7 minutes, should I continue to go for 10 until he CAN make it before adding another 5 minutes?

If he's not comfortable at five minutes or seven minutes or ten minutes, you have to go back to a time limit that doesn't cause him anxiety.  There is not a set formula that works with each dog in every circumstance.  If you've pushed him too far too fast you've sensitized him rather than desensitized him and you have to start back at square one and work up gradually, at a level that does not induce anxiety.

Having your training consultant advise you would be your best solution at this point.  Understanding how operant conditioning and counter conditioning work requres some reading and research on your part. 

I just stuffed a kong FULL of peanut butter, kibble, and liver treats, then froze it. I gave it to him in his crate and left for 10 minutes. He will now eat in the crate, so when I came back, he was happily licking away. It seems as soon as he's done with the kong, he starts to carry on. I have a HUGE kong that would probably last him 30 minutes, but certainly I can't give him these stuffed kongs several times a day??!! I don't mind him whining,....I think it's normal that he does this initially....it's when he starts digging that he gets frenzied. I talked to another VERY well known trainer who said it is vital to start leaving for 15 minutes + spurts even if he does carry on.....otherwise he will become overly dependent on me. That's why this whole process is so confusing. Logically, I can't add 3 minutes a day if that until he's able to stay alone for 2 hours. That would be almost 1 1/2 months of cancelled appointments and responsibilities.

I agree it can be confusing and also about that booklet being so helpful. Unfortunately, I lent mine out too and haven't gotten it back or I'd send it to you.

If you put him in the crate but are still home just doing things around the house, does he get upset then? When I was working with Shane in the beginning, I made it a point to never let him out of the crate when I first returned. I never even made my return noticeable. I'd go about doing stuff where he could see me and then I'd leave the room and come back and on and on for a few min's. I put a tv on in the bedroom (his crate is in the master bathroom, which is open to the bdrm). Unlike the recommendations, I'd put the tv on sometimes when I wasn't leaving and sometimes when I was leaving. My theory was that I didn't want him to associate the tv with "uh oh, now she's going somewhere".

I use the kong in the AM and PM for giving Shane his breakfast. I do this every day and it gives me a couple hours of him being entertained and then resting afterwards. If I have to leave during the day, I put a bully stick in there and that seems to keep him busy/distracted for awhile. I have 2 of the largest kongs but I've thought about buying another one (or two). They're just so perfect for this and you can fill them with so many different things.

When we adopted Red from the shelter 8 years ago we all took Rescue Remedy daily for a month.  I put it in Hollys water bowl.  We were all so stressed out,  Red had never been in a home before, Holly was angry cause a new dog was here, and I was feeling quilty that I put Holly thru this stress.

I had 4 days off work to figure it all out.  The shelter said never put Red in a crate, so I barricaded the kitchen with chairs and started with leaving for 5 mins, then 8 min.  Then  at 15 mins, he escaped the kitchen and I think he found my bedroom closet, which ironically is his safe place to this day where he sleeps all day.  Treats and toys meant nothing to him.  We would shut our bedroom door with all 4 of us in for the night.  On day 5 I went back to work all day and both dogs were free roaming

I think putting your dog near your other dog will comfort him during the day, and put him in your bedroom at nite.  Hang in there, it will get better and keep taking rescue remedy,  In a month this will seem like a bad dream. 

 

He is in his crate in our bedroom at night now, and he is fine there. I have his crate where he can see my other dog during the day, but my other dog has roam of the house, and I hate to take that away from her...

reneegavin

I hate to take that away from her...

 

You're right in thinking that the resident dog shouldn't be crated. He/she earned the right to be out.

Agree that you shouldn't worry about changing the resident dog's status. The new pup will need to adjust and I really think he will in time. I hope things are getting better.