On 04 Sep 2003 11:02:21 GMT, pml13504.RemoveThis@aol.commydog (Phyllis-Take out
mydog first) wrote:
>Hi
>does anyone know of any great books on seperation anxiety..siberian male
>neutered age2 had since a pup... he has always been a "hyper" dog but claws
>at windows,damages all screens,cries, chews spa, can't be trusted inside.. when
>crated goes nuts...
>vet says he'll grow out of it..just a pup but soooo much damage..hubby is
>extreemly upset..
>I have severe rsd in my hands took me a while to write this depending on
>health may take a little while to respond back
>thanks in advance :)
>I know God won't give me anything I can't handle.I just wish he didn't trust me
>so much = The sun in one hand - the moon in the other
>phyllis
>>^,,^<
Hi Phyllis,
Separation anxiety is a toughie. It goes right to the heart of a dog's
instinct to be a part of his/her pack, by being WITH that pack,
literally.
A while back, a poster here noted that "a tired dog is a happy dog",
and I believe that applies to your husky. Do everything within reason
to give that dog more exercise than he's ever had before. Wear him
out!
Until and unless he stops the damaging, I'd leave him outside when you
leave, and inside only when you're there.
It may be worth having a neighbor teen help exercise the dog - taking
him for long walks or runs, or even (with a harness) pulling said teen
along on his/her skateboard. (Make sure this is understood as
something they engage in at his/her own risk.)
For most young and high-energy dogs, I don't recommend riding a bike
with the dog running on a lead. I've got a scar on my chin from
trying. Skateboards with the dog in a harness is safer, IMO. (Assuming
the teen knows how to skateboard, of course.)
Having the dog walked by others will help the dog to "enlarge" his
pack, and help ease his anxiety, over time, and with work. Two
different walkers would be better than one, if feasible. Giving him
frequent runs off the lead in a secure dog park would be a great
experience if he's otherwise a civilized (non aggressive) dog. Then,
all his dog buddies can also become a part of a still larger "pack"
for him, again easing his anxiety somewhat.
I'd forget the crating entirely, for now. You're trying to take a dog
that is suffering from just being separated from you, and putting him
in solitary, as well. A dog that can't "settle down" is one that I
would crate train only with the greatest patience and did I mention
SLOWLY and carefully?
I'm no dog trainer, perhaps others will have more polished words of
wisdom for your problem.
Other suggestions:
* make sure the dog has a permanent bed and "day" bed. A throw rug
with some padding cut to fit under it, or you can buy them at a pet
store. It's "his" and should be 1) near where you spend most of your
time inside, and 2) where you want him to bed down when you leave.
* maybe make a whistled tune or a song a part of your habit around the
dog. Then play it so the dog can hear it on a cd-player set to
"continuous play" mode. (That is, burn your "tune" being whistled or
sang onto a CD, with your own voice or whistle right on the CD)
* try to get him playthings he likes - squeaky toys, whatever.
* if feasible, think of getting a young duck imprinted on the dog.
Whenever the dog is outside, that duck will be WITH that dog! ("Like
sin on a sinner". Duck food is way cheap, they'll eat every earwig and
slug in your backyard, you'll need to trim the flight feathers to keep
him around. If you put out too much food, you'll wind up with zillions
of ducks in your yard - so be careful!
Best wishes,
Dave
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