Dog driving me mad, advice and a slap please :)

littlemisslauren

littlemisslauren

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Right, so Betsy is almost a year old, we have had her since 8 weeks ans the last 5 months or so have been a complete joy.

She was a pain in the backside when she was tiny, gobby and destructive and would fight any command. Then she mellowed and became a lovely little dog. Now I could strangle her.

I have obviously c*cked up somewhere along the line because she has developed seperation anxiety :(

Her routine hasn't changed as far as I can see and she is crated when I am at work. But I popped in at lunch time today to find both doors on her crate caved in and the duvet she sleeps on shredded. She hadn't made much progress with her kong or chew. :o:(

This has been happening for a couple of weeks, but todays destruction was the worst.

She has always gone crazy when we get in but we just take her straight outside with no fuss or attention untill she is calm. I have noticed she will position herself so she can always see me when we are just mooching in the house.

I dont know what to do :( I'm so angry with myself for messing up somewhere along the line.

I am off work mon - fri this week so I can do alot of work with her, I just dont know what to do?
 
If I were you, I would pm Cayla, and also Blackcob - Dax had awful SA and I think was about the same age as Betsy when BC got her.

In the meantime I would go back to basics again and treat her like a puppy - leaving her for short periods and building up again.

It might not be anything that you have done chick, could be her age, could be something external that has spooked her - so don't waste too much time beating yourself up.:)
 
I have to head back to work shortly but when I get a minute tomorrow I can write up what I did with the anxious hellbeast if it will help at all, it's been a stupidly long and involved process but most importantly it worked and she can now be left.

Cayla is the queen of the crate and will no doubt be along later. :)
 
I have to go back to work soon (with the dog..... its too scary to go on my own in the dark!) I will send begging PMs when I get home.

I called OH in tears when I saw the duvet stuffing everywhere and demanded we get another dog :o
 
blackcob said:
I have to head back to work shortly but when I get a minute tomorrow I can write up what I did with the anxious hellbeast if it will help at all, it's been a stupidly long and involved process but most importantly it worked and she can now be left.

Cayla is the queen of the crate and will no doubt be along later. :)
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Ooooh thank you, any experiences will help as I have never dealt with SA before.

Heading off to work now.... I may leave the dog in a stable overnight:cool::p
 
She sleeps in her crate downstairs, no problems there. She will run in (expecting some form of treat) when we are turning things off to go upstairs and we dont hear a peep from her till we make our way down in the morning.

I must admit I am a bit crap at using the crate when I'm there :o I am soft and feel sorry for her being in it all the time... so she is allowed to just follow mammy around like a bleedin shadow. I should have saw this coming :(
 
littlemisslauren said:
She sleeps in her crate downstairs, no problems there. ... so she is allowed to just follow mammy around like a bleedin shadow. I should have saw this coming :(
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sorry but this could be the problem.(.ok my two follow me aswell,not all the time)
what breed of dog have you got
how long does she stay in the crate for when youre at work
 
Ok dokey *slap* I forgot that the last time and really wanted to give it to ya:rolleyes::D

I would bring crate into the living room at night too, when u are settled and have her spend a little time in there, after a walk for a start and then give her something to chew on and place her in for another hour or so.
Try not to give her so much "attenton on demand" when you are home.
Where is she crated, is the cate covered and are you leaving the radio on?
Could something be disturbing her?
You can get clips to clip the crate coners too;)
I would also try a DAP diffuser.
 
Thank you guys,

Betsy is a Border Terrier Haycroft. She is crated from 7.30 - 12 then 12.30 - 4.30 (give or take an hour each way), she was fine with this set up and was always half asleep when I got home untill the last few weeks.

I think she is bloomin spoilt. (my fault... ARGHHH)

Cayla - I seriously need a slap! OH has been away so long I have almost forgotten how to talk to a huuumin everything comes out in horsey or betsy speak now!

Her crate is covered when I leave her. The cover will stay on overnight but she will drag it off during the day. She destroyed the towel I had used to cover her today (third dead crate cover in two weeks). I am starting to run out of towels / blankets / throws!
The radio or tv is always on in the day but not over night.

I will be buying a new crate this week and it WILL be dogproof!

I think the problemo is the attention on demand as you say. I'm easily guilt tripped and it has resulted in a spoilt anxious pooch :(

DAP diffuser will be on my shopping list too.
 
I know you will be walking her so no point in asking that.
I would leave the radio on at night too, and try and get a black out blind for the room the crate is into pull down during the day.
Give her a kong filled with the same stuffing u use to place her in the living room in her crate when u are in (use old cate) if u are getting a new one, you dont need to have her in the crate all night when u are in just short periods and release her when she is calm, obs she has been in there for the day period and wants your time but try and make the time more stimulating, game play and exercise rather than cuddles, talk and allowing her to follow u around (for now) until u have her settled once more.

My guess is something is disturbing her? and she knows the difference between bed time, and you leaving time;) so black out blind and radio on for both bed time and leaving her time a I think to try and keep the routines the same, and "no fuss when u arrive home" or when u get up on a morning.
Could u set a camera up? could someone be knocking on the door?
 
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I have actually written all of this down on a shopping list :o

My life would not be worth living if B didnt get her walks. She has a 20 min (ish) pootle first thing then has a big walk / smaller walk with playtime / smaller walk with mouse hunting at the yard in the evening. She is still a puppy in her head and meeting the horses / sheep / chickens and sniffing round the yard / haybales tonight has pooped her out.
Do you think a longer walk on a morning would be better? She isn't very active on them and goes to sleep as soon as we get back in.

I should be able to get her a space in the kennels at work if I want one, now she has gone all craaaaazy on me I don't know if it would be a good thing or if it would stress her more?
I have put her in her crate now.

OH is a geek so I will see if he can set a camera up! My neighbour is also a nuisance who likes to complain afew times a day, so there is a chance that he is disrupting her.

I broked the dog! (This will of course all be OH's fault by the time he gets home :p)
 
littlemisslauren said:
Thank you guys,

Betsy is a Border Terrier Haycroft. She is crated from 7.30 - 12 then 12.30 - 4.30
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So she is crated 9 hours during the day and crated all night? If so im guessing this dog is crated for approx 17 hours out of 24?

If so I dont blame her for geting bored, destroying and following you everywhere!

What age is she?

Im having a hard time understanding why ppl are suggesting you crate her for even longer????
 
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How old is she now, I would maybe extend her walk a little.
Taking her to kenenls a few days may not be so bad but def don't make a routine of it or else u make make times having to stay in crate/alone even worse, The kennel may stress her if its noisy, but she may enjoy it.
A dog walker to break the day up maybe not be a bad idea, or can u get this service at work if u take her in?

I have a puppy border terrier in boarding (it was one of the rescues) and she is a lazy baby:D she does get alot of execise with her owner mind u, but she has been just as lazy here without the walks she gives her (she is a rambler) sp
Obs she is crated alot, so maybe for this reason, up the exercise.
 
friesian80 said:
So she is crated 9 hours during the day and crated all night? If so im guessing this dog is crated for approx 17 hours out of 24?

If so I dont blame her for geting bored, destroying and following you everywhere!

What age is she?

Im having a hard time understanding why ppl are suggesting you crate her for even longer????
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I have explained.....did u not read it?
To help lessen her anxiety if this is indeed why she is trying to (suddenly) get out of a crate she has been ok with until now. (although I suspect she is being/has been disturbed in some way)
I have advised crating for short periods only when she is tired or has a treat when OP is in sight, just as she would be sleeping beside her on the chair.
Its very confusing for a dog to find it's self crated when the owner dissapears but spent all it's time with owner otherwise it creates seperation issues.
I have stated "spent time in a more "stimulating way" play/exercise rather than lavishing affection or having her follow owner, the aim is to help the dog.
Some situations cannot be changed work/life so we must try ou best to make a routine for the dog in there scenarios, LML is worried re walking her to far/much as she is very young still.
If u can walk/have free run play time her at work LML then maybe the kennels wont be so bad idea for a few days of the week.
 
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friesian80 said:
So she is crated 9 hours during the day and crated all night? If so im guessing this dog is crated for approx 17 hours out of 24?

If so I dont blame her for geting bored, destroying and following you everywhere!

What age is she?

Im having a hard time understanding why ppl are suggesting you crate her for even longer????
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She is just under 12 months.

As I said in my OP, this set up has always worked for her and it is all she has ever known. Those that have read my many rants about B will know that she is a sensitive little dog and is easily irked, it is clear that something has startled / disturbed her to change her behaviour so rapidly, along with my own bad judgement. She has not suddenly decided to be bored.

And I am lucky if I get 6 hours sleep.
 
Dogs shouldn't be crated for 9 hrs a day. Its unhealthy.
I wouldn't want to be locked up all day, it would drive me nuts too !.

Can you provide a larger area for her rather than a crate?
A whole room or kitchen maybe?
Only crate her when necessary as at one year old (adult dog) she is toilet trained and should be over her chewing/teething stage.

Destructive or aggressive/obsessive behaviour can stem from boredom and frustration aswell as pent up energy, terriers have incredible stamina, I know as I have one too !

Pups can sleep all day with no bother, adult dogs need more.

If she is left alone for such a long time she will be lonely, the radio left on will help.

Longer walks in the morning, a short walk at lunchtime and a good run in the evening will also help break up her day.
 
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CAYLA said:
How old is she now, I would maybe extend her walk a little.
Taking her to kenenls a few days may not be so bad but def don't make a routine of it or else u make make times having to stay in crate/alone even worse, The kennel may stress her if its noisy, but she may enjoy it.
A dog walker to break the day up maybe not be a bad idea, or can u get this service at work if u take her in?

I have a puppy border terrier in boarding (it was one of the rescues) and she is a lazy baby:D she does get alot of execise with her owner mind u, but she has been just as lazy here without the walks she gives her (she is a rambler) sp
Obs she is crated alot, so maybe for this reason, up the exercise.
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Almost 12 months now, will extend the morning walk tomorrow and let you know how we get on :)
They do take the pooches for a walk at work, I will see if I can get her a trial afternoon on a quiet day.
B is a lazy soul, sleeping in her bestest talent:rolleyes: Hopefully if i drag her a bit further in the morning it will make a difference.

We had some biiiiiiig progress tonight with horses so hopefully soon she will be able to come up on a night with me and make use of all that land without being stood on;)

Would just like to point out to anyone that thinks I am an evil cruel cow that I am only contracted to work 2 days per week and the most I ever work is 4 days... So she isnt 'locked up' all day every day.
 
I would def up the exercise a bit then LML. She is a small breed and soft surface longer walks will not hurt.
If she is toy orientated, I would maybe have some ball games in the garden now the bnights are getting lighter and tire her out on a night after ya tea rather than her just being sprawled on the sette/under ya quilt:rolleyes::D
Is she still on a long line for walks or are u letting her off?

I think I would set up a camera just to see if u can hear any noise/door banging or otherwise.
 
RoseGrey said:
Dogs shouldn't be crated for 9 hrs a day. Its unhealthy.
I wouldn't want to be locked up all day, it would drive me nuts too !.

Can you provide a larger area for her rather than a crate?
A whole room or kitchen maybe?
Only crate her when necessary as at one year old (adult dog) she is toilet trained and should be over her chewing/teething stage.

Destructive or aggressive/obsessive behaviour can stem from boredom and frustration aswell as pent up energy, terriers have incredible stamina, I know as I have one too !

If she is left alone for such a long time she will be lonely, the radio left on will help.

Longer walks in the morning, a short walk at lunchtime and a good run in the evening will also help break up her day.
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We have an open plan, rented house. I can't trust her to not rip the carpet up. Especially now she is showing such anxiety.

She has a 30 min - 1 hour break in the day when I am on my lunch.

The radio is left on, I already said that.
 
littlemisslauren said:
Almost 12 months now, will extend the morning walk tomorrow and let you know how we get on :)
They do take the pooches for a walk at work, I will see if I can get her a trial afternoon on a quiet day.
B is a lazy soul, sleeping in her bestest talent:rolleyes: Hopefully if i drag her a bit further in the morning it will make a difference.

We had some biiiiiiig progress tonight with horses so hopefully soon she will be able to come up on a night with me and make use of all that land without being stood on;)

Would just like to point out to anyone that thinks I am an evil cruel cow that I am only contracted to work 2 days per week and the most I ever work is 4 days... So she isnt 'locked up' all day every day.
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No need to explain, u crate her for safety, some people keep horses in small spaces for the same reasons.
You are not evil and cruel and she needs rotuine to help her cope better for when u are in "and spending lots of time with her" and out and not able too.
 
Rosegrey that is not true for all dogs, chewing and destruction can go on well over 12 months and they can also reverse prefectly trained ways, inc toileting during maturity/distubance in routine/hormonal changes.
Taking her crate away will not guarantee she will not chew or destroy, and once emoved she may well become more stressed when the crate is reintroduced.

I think upping the exercise will be a good thing for now LML and some days down the yard and def see if there is a way to find out if she is/has been disturbed.
 
I bought a Babyden from Mothercare when my kids were smaller and I kept it. It is fab for making a caged area rather than a small crate.
Mine is 6ft by 3ft for my dog and only used when we go out and leave her alone. They are made up of sections approx 1 ft wide, fully adaptable. Total God send IMO !!
Second hand ones will be cheap as they are metal (chew proof!) and sturdy!

May be worth a look ? !! :)
 
CAYLA said:
I would def up the exercise a bit then LML. She is a small breed and soft surface longer walks will not hurt.
If she is toy orientated, I would maybe have some ball games in the garden now the bnights are getting lighter and tire her out on a night after ya tea rather than her just being sprawled on the sette/under ya quilt:rolleyes::D
Is she still on a long line for walks or are u letting her off?

I think I would set up a camera just to see if u can hear any noise/door banging or otherwise.
Click to expand...

I forgot to say that every other night we have been going to my mams (for tea since OH isnt here to do the cookin!) and they have a lovely huge garden where the pups just do laps and chase the ball around. I will try adding some more structure to it to put her brain to use a bit (There is no hope for molly pups brain).

I am trying to rack my brains for what could be disturbing her, when I work it out I will let you know.

I let her off in enclosed fields (that I have double and triple checked). Recall is getting there.

Did I cover everything there??

Thanks soo much, will up the exercise and the chilling in the crate time over the next couple of days, hopefully we will see some change. :)
 
See mancave in car.
See dog waiting patiently to be allowed back into mancave.
Dog had been out of mancave approximately ten minutes, following a 90 minute journey :p
P1050462.jpg

P1050463.jpg


I have friends who compete in Europe and their dogs have to be crated for long periods without any resulting trauma.
Horses for courses, and all that :)
 
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