Hi everyone!
I'm hoping someone will have some suggestions for me regarding Nike's recent behavior. Since I got Nike, he's been very comfortable with me, more so than with anyone else. Well, today at Petsmart, I had taken Honor to a different aisle to work on some rally behaviors, and DH took Nike to look at toys. After a few minutes, Honor and I went to look for DH and Nike, only to find Nike looking awfully stressed. But the second he saw me, his entire demeanor changed, and he looked a lot more comfortable. DH said that the second I went out of sight, Nike started to whine and looked upset. We tried to separate one more time, and Nike started to stress again. Not wanting to stress him too much, we decided to leave.
Today's behavior is on top of the other behaviors that Nike's been displaying in the last two weeks. Every time I crate him to do something around the house that I can't supervise him for, he barks non-stop. I have NEVER given in to the barking, and wait until he's taken a big breath and is quiet before entering the room where his crate is. This behavior came to a head last night when I took Honor into the garage to practice rally, and he went ballistic, barking non-stop with increasing fervor the entire time.
Now, some finer points to help figure out how to fix this situation:
1.) I practice strict NILIF at my house with both dogs, and I stick to a schedule with them.
2.) Both dogs get plenty of exercise, as well as together AND alone time with me every day.
3.) Both dogs receive attention/affection when they are calm, or when I call them for some lovin'.
4.) For those who don't know, Nike was kept in a puppy mill barn for the first 7 months of his life with no socialization. He's learned a lot from Honor, and is developing well in other behavioral areas (such as being around people he doesn't know). I have never babied him, just offered him support and trying to set him up for success in his socialization endeavors.
5.) When he's upset in the crate, he doesn't hurt himself or try to force his way out of the crate. Just barking and pacing. The only times I crate him during the day are when I'm using cleaning products (like mopping floors), if I'm doing something where I can't be right there to supervise, or if I'm training with Honor. If I'm giving Honor attention, he usually tries to rush in front of her, and won't stop, so I have to crate him during our training sessions. But he gets his own special one-on-one time when Honor's in the crate.
6.) Comings and goings are kept pretty low-key.
7.) I don't think he has any issues about being in the crate, it's obvious that he loves his crate (eats there, sleeps there, etc).
My concern is, how can I best ease his anxiety when the cause appears to be separation from me? The weirdest part is that it's getting worse as he becomes more comfortable in the routine of the household. I don't like knowing that I'm the one stressing him out, as I care about him and want to avoid stressing him. But I know that there are going to be times where I have to leave him or train Honor, and so I have to help him work through this.
Suggestions are appreciated, thanks in advance for any help!