Debating getting a kennel...SA related

littlemisslauren

littlemisslauren

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B suffers from terrible seperation anxiety, I am actually scared of leaving her alone now because she is bound to hurt herself soon (destroys and eats anything) Which is just making the situation worse.

Some days she is absolutely fine, others she has munched everything in sight. She is always left sleepy and hungry with food in kongs.

At the moment the good days are out weighing the bad but the bad days are scaring me big style.

I am not really that bothered about the destruction, this house is my own so I have no landlord to report to. Dont get me wrong I would much prefer she didn't eat my sunglasses:cool: I am more scared about her eating something that will cause damage.

During the week she comes to work with me and spends the day in a kennel (some days alone but with other dogs in sight) She harps on a bit when others come and go but she settles when I'm not there and is non destructive.

Weekends she goes to OHs parents or my parents. If she goes to my mums she often spends time kennelled with their dog and is absultely fine with it.

She was crate trained as a puppy and never really took to it to be honest. She burst out of a couple of crates (Metal ones!) but we kept the crate and she uses it as a bed and happily takes herself off there for sleeps and alone time.

Ok rambly bit over:o

I have been offered a kennel and closed run (free!) the kennel is wooden and in very good condition. It would take up quite a chunk of the garden (not really bothered if it is a long term solution) but I'm not sure whether to go for it?

I'm worried she would bark all day (built up area)...... but I think she would settle with company.


ARGHHH Can someone please wave a magic wand over my poor little stresshead dog or tell me I need another dog? Or tell me to stop whinging... her SA is getting better bit by bit.
 
How much time does she spend at home currently? It sounds from ur post that in the week u work and she goes in kennel and at weekends she is goes to ur OH parents. whats the need for kennel at home when would it be used? Would she stay home while u work? I would prefer mine at work kennel as safer than being in garden at home with risk of theft.
I wouldn't get another dog that won't solve problem and could be worse if New dog develops SA also. I think routine is key in SA and a stable one at that with a safe place for dog to be kept
 
Sorry I forgot to say when she is actually left alone.
Our current weekend arrangement is not ideal, I really dont like depending on parents etc and both sets of parents are getting new puppies soon and so B may become too much for hem to deal with (If that makes sense?)

The kennel would be used on weekend days when both of us are working and for an hour most evenings when I pop to the shop / pick up OH from work etc. Being able to go out for an evening would be a bonus :o

Her surrent routine is working for her, the bad days are becoming less frequent, but I can't depend on others for ever.

Hope that filled in some gaps?
 
As its being offered free and she is used to a kennel would try it at Least. Worst scenario is it doesn't work for her but its cost nothing so i wouldn't see an issue tryin it. Cayla on here has some good tips on overcoming SA may be worth pm ing her for ideas if not done already. Good luck i hope you can overcome it asap
 
What have you got to loose by trying? I kennel and run my five collies and they are fine but make sure dog gets enough exercise physically and mentally so kennel is somewhere she does not mind going in. Might be worth givingkennel a coat of preservative or lining it to prevent chewing.
 
mon said:
What have you got to loose by trying? I kennel and run my five collies and they are fine but make sure dog gets enough exercise physically and mentally so kennel is somewhere she does not mind going in. Might be worth givingkennel a coat of preservative or lining it to prevent chewing.
Click to expand...

Agree with the above, i have a working GSD which i hope to compete when hes older in schutzhund, he is mental at 9 months now (i know his lines and it is just the way they are) he would not cope well in the house full time and he would drive my dobermann crazy as she lives in the house. My GSD has been in a kennel since i got him as a pup and made sure he had a routine of playing/training throughout the day so he knew he wouldnt be left alone, and also when hes in the kennel now its 'down time' and he knows he can relax and chill untill i next get him out. I have also started putting a 'buster cube' in with him to play with and of course chicken carcases and bones from the butcher to keep him occupied.

Give it a go and make sure they have plenty of bordom breakers available im sure they will adjust. good luck!
 
I was trying to reply to your PM (those dates are fine) but I cannot for some reason, I also replied to stargirl88, im not sure if that has gone as keeps flashing error:confused:
I cant see a problem with an outdoor kennel I would just worry if she is noisy then you will get complaints, is she destructive at work in the kennels? does she settle ok?
If not you could try a sky kennel as opposed to a crate (they are more secure) and more enclosed, and as I always recommend have her spend time in there with the door "closed" when you are home as much as when you would leave her.There is no point leaving the crate door open and her sitting on you lap or at night being in your bed (she is to used to being glued to you when you are home) I would crate her for bed (put vari/sky kennel) beside your bed (as im sure you take her to bed;)) and close the door!. Don't allow her on the bed or to sleep on the floor on a bed, make sure she is in the crate.
At night when watching tv (place her in the crate and close the door) she can still see you and is still with you but is not associating being in there with the door closed with you disappearing.
When she is in the car dont allow her to sit on seats, crate her in the boot, if the boot is small, drop the back eats and use a very small crate (she is only small) this also is another positive association with her being in a crate. (cover it too)
If you cannot do the above and get her back into a strict crate routine then by all means try a small outdoor run/kennel, but you will have to get used to placing her out there when you are home and pretty freuqently in the beginning as again she will kick up a fuss.
 
What breed is B?

True separation anxiety is very rare if she can settle and be on her own without you then she doesn't have separation anxiety, I know a dog with true separation anxiety had it from a puppy the owners gave him up because they couldn't cope and he ended up with someone who could be with him 24hrs a day, away from her even with plenty of canine company he went completely beserk and could not cope at all was awful to see a dog so distressed. A lot of people assess their dogs as having SA but in the vast majority of cases the dogs are just lacking in boundaries and are for an example constantly with their owners when they are there and when seeking attention even when in a negative way they get what they want with owners petting or fussing which just encourages the behaviour. Sometimes you just have to go back to basics with training, don't let the dog on the sofa or beds, restrict parts of the house so that they can't be with you constantly etc short periods alone that you build up gradually, plenty of off lead exercise, check your food because as with children feed the wrong type and it could really make a difference to the dog on the end of the lead (bakers for an example makes mine a lunatic). Sometimes an upset to their normal routine can cause problems.

Crating may not solve your problem if anything it could add to it because if you are out and B decides to try and make a break for it you could end up with a dead dog - the head usually gets stuck between the body of the crate and the door or it collapses altogether. if you are using a crate make sure that you cable tie all around it so that it gives it more stability and you can use carabina clips to help stop the door from being broken even if the handles are moved. It won't stop your dog getting injured though if hell bent on getting out. If B already sleeps in a crate do you cover it with a light blanket? That might be an option bit like when you cover a bird boredom sets in and they just go to sleep, leave the tv or radio on as a noise distraction. You can use products such as Dab diffusers but to be honest I have never had any luck with them and they take ages to work according those that I know who have used them with success. There are some natural products as well that you might want to look into that are supposed to calm dogs Skullcap / Valerian being a couple but again its not something I have done myself and you need to make sure you get the dosage right Dorwest Herbs do a mix of the two and will probably give you advice on levels to give http://www.dorwest.com/Catalogue/Veterinary-Medicine/Scullcap-Valerian-tablets.

If you are going to crate make sure it is oversized and not the recommended size ideally your dog should be able to stand in comfort and stretch out, the recommended sizes are dreadfully small and cramped so no wonder a dog doesn't want to be in it. Water has to be available the metal sort you can use on the side of kennel runs that fix in are ideal less likely to come home to a flood.

Chewing on stuff is usually down to boredom or in puppies teething problems. Do you do anything else with your dog besides walking for the loo?? Does B need an activity to keep mentally stimulated?? Does sound like spends a lot of time in kennel?? You can get some books on basic tricks that will give mental stimulation that will tire them out there is a book called 101 dog tricks by an American called Kyra Sundance you can pick up on Amazon for peanuts and they are very easy to follow and not time consuming to do.

Good luck hope at least something in this lot helps.
 
CAYLA said:
I was trying to reply to your PM (those dates are fine) but I cannot for some reason, I also replied to stargirl88, im not sure if that has gone as keeps flashing error:confused:
I cant see a problem with an outdoor kennel I would just worry if she is noisy then you will get complaints, is she destructive at work in the kennels? does she settle ok?
If not you could try a sky kennel as opposed to a crate (they are more secure) and more enclosed, and as I always recommend have her spend time in there with the door "closed" when you are home as much as when you would leave her.There is no point leaving the crate door open and her sitting on you lap or at night being in your bed (she is to used to being glued to you when you are home) I would crate her for bed (put vari/sky kennel) beside your bed (as im sure you take her to bed;)) and close the door!. Don't allow her on the bed or to sleep on the floor on a bed, make sure she is in the crate.
At night when watching tv (place her in the crate and close the door) she can still see you and is still with you but is not associating being in there with the door closed with you disappearing.
When she is in the car dont allow her to sit on seats, crate her in the boot, if the boot is small, drop the back eats and use a very small crate (she is only small) this also is another positive association with her being in a crate. (cover it too)
If you cannot do the above and get her back into a strict crate routine then by all means try a small outdoor run/kennel, but you will have to get used to placing her out there when you are home and pretty freuqently in the beginning as again she will kick up a fuss.
Click to expand...

I will have a PM clearout incase there is a problem my end :)
Noise is my biggest worry, she would be completely out of sight of neighbours but obv if she kicks up a fuss they will hear her.
She totally chills out at work, she used to create a fuss when I left her but I now give her a chew / kong / toy to nibble at while I'm leaving and run away and she doesnt even look at me. I am right next to the kennels all day (as you know!) and the only time I hear her is when they are all having a gob off session or when others come to collect their dogs. Tbh this is what made me think a kennel may be a good idea, but I think it might actually be the company that helps her settle:( (She is like a different dog now - she LOVES her friends - no more rolling round on the floor like a baby!:D)

I'm off to google a sky kennel now :)

I really am trying so hard to sort out her little brain beacuse I know its my fault she is so stressy :( I feel like such a bad mammy :(
 
horseloaner said:
What breed is B?

True separation anxiety is very rare if she can settle and be on her own without you then she doesn't have separation anxiety, I know a dog with true separation anxiety had it from a puppy the owners gave him up because they couldn't cope and he ended up with someone who could be with him 24hrs a day, away from her even with plenty of canine company he went completely beserk and could not cope at all was awful to see a dog so distressed. A lot of people assess their dogs as having SA but in the vast majority of cases the dogs are just lacking in boundaries and are for an example constantly with their owners when they are there and when seeking attention even when in a negative way they get what they want with owners petting or fussing which just encourages the behaviour. Sometimes you just have to go back to basics with training, don't let the dog on the sofa or beds, restrict parts of the house so that they can't be with you constantly etc short periods alone that you build up gradually, plenty of off lead exercise, check your food because as with children feed the wrong type and it could really make a difference to the dog on the end of the lead (bakers for an example makes mine a lunatic). Sometimes an upset to their normal routine can cause problems.

Crating may not solve your problem if anything it could add to it because if you are out and B decides to try and make a break for it you could end up with a dead dog - the head usually gets stuck between the body of the crate and the door or it collapses altogether. if you are using a crate make sure that you cable tie all around it so that it gives it more stability and you can use carabina clips to help stop the door from being broken even if the handles are moved. It won't stop your dog getting injured though if hell bent on getting out. If B already sleeps in a crate do you cover it with a light blanket? That might be an option bit like when you cover a bird boredom sets in and they just go to sleep, leave the tv or radio on as a noise distraction. You can use products such as Dab diffusers but to be honest I have never had any luck with them and they take ages to work according those that I know who have used them with success. There are some natural products as well that you might want to look into that are supposed to calm dogs Skullcap / Valerian being a couple but again its not something I have done myself and you need to make sure you get the dosage right Dorwest Herbs do a mix of the two and will probably give you advice on levels to give http://www.dorwest.com/Catalogue/Veterinary-Medicine/Scullcap-Valerian-tablets.

If you are going to crate make sure it is oversized and not the recommended size ideally your dog should be able to stand in comfort and stretch out, the recommended sizes are dreadfully small and cramped so no wonder a dog doesn't want to be in it. Water has to be available the metal sort you can use on the side of kennel runs that fix in are ideal less likely to come home to a flood.

Chewing on stuff is usually down to boredom or in puppies teething problems. Do you do anything else with your dog besides walking for the loo?? Does B need an activity to keep mentally stimulated?? Does sound like spends a lot of time in kennel?? You can get some books on basic tricks that will give mental stimulation that will tire them out there is a book called 101 dog tricks by an American called Kyra Sundance you can pick up on Amazon for peanuts and they are very easy to follow and not time consuming to do.

Good luck hope at least something in this lot helps.
Click to expand...

Thank you for taking the time to reply :) I will try to respond to everything you mentioned.
Betsy is a 2 year old Border Terrier.
I never ever fuss over her, if I did I would never get a moments peace. She gets her attention and praise when she is good but negative behaviour is completely ignored.
We are already in the process of (re - building) the amount of time she is seperate from us in the house. (e.g. her in the kitchen while I have a bath / do my hair / mow the lawn) She is not allowed to hop on and off the furniture as she pleases, she will only get up if invited.
She is fed Applaws Chicken and has 2 or 3 raw days a week. I am very hesitant to change her food as Applaws is really working for her skin.

Her crate is covered and when she is left she always has the TV on for background noise. We are using a DAP diffuser.

Her crate is medium sized, she can fully stretch out and still have plenty of space.

B has 45 mins to an hour of walking before work, when she is in the kennels she is walked several times throughout the day and used for obedience classes / the odd bit of agility. I work at an agricultural college and she is used for student lessons, she loves it. It is not like she is really left in a kennel for 9 hours a day, she has very busy days. She will then have another smaller walk at tea time. If I has her doing any more exercise I think her little legs would drop off:o
 
No experience of kenneling dogs but I would bear in mind that it won't change her mental state and you may end up with the problem of disturbing neighbours more (both our neighbours and the house opposite have kenneled dogs and everyone hears/comments on them barking a lot more than mine), her being more distressed by the change in routine, etc.

I would really recommend Nicole Wilde's book on separation anxiety, it is very indepth and will help you create a training plan to deal with it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leave-Step-...=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340617062&sr=1-7
I would also perhaps suggest a vet visit, firstly to rule out a health cause (my dog with separation anxiety has just had thorough bloodtests and her thyroid results have flagged up low, potentially hypothyroid, which can cause anxiety), and secondly to discuss the possible use of medication to assist with the issue. Medication alone will not cure her, but alongside a behaviour modification plan, it can help.
There are some side effects to the medications available though so I would try other options, e.g. Calmex, Zylkene, Rescue Remedy, Pet Remedy, DAP/Adaptil, a Thundershirt, etc. first. Unfortunately none of them seem to have much effect on my girl but if there is a medical cause to it, that could be the reason, in my case. I've heard of some good success with some/a combination of the products listed so worth a try.
 
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