one main problem

Hope the tips work. I haven't had a real problem with any of mine, except for Hamish my first Sheltie. He would howl when I left the apartment as he was used to someone being with him (I was in an apartment for a while when my parents were living with my sister's over a winter to help with the kids). He never howled for long. We always put this back to him being crated in a basement in a very small carry crate by my sister before I got him.
 
Do you crate her when you home? If not, start doing crating when you home, for various periods of time. Your pup has to know that crating does not equal being left alone.
Play games with crate- send her in, throw cookie, call back, reward. Feed her in the crate, if possible by hand.
Crate should equal good times. Give her kong in crate when you sit by computer...
It is gradual process so you might need to think of your strategies. IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO! your pup developing separation anxiety but you are the other part of it.
 
SheltieChe said:
Do you crate her when you home? If not, start doing crating when you home, for various periods of time. Your pup has to know that crating does not equal being left alone.
Play games with crate- send her in, throw cookie, call back, reward. Feed her in the crate, if possible by hand.
Click to expand...

This is a great tip.

There are actually a lot of great crate games that you can do with your dog. I would go on Youtube and just search crate games and watch some of them.
 
Thanks for all the info. I never expected this much response. Going to try some of them.

Marlowe (aka Pixgal)
 
The advice is bang on! You want to associate the crate as a happy place to be....not a place to be banished when you leave the house.

The crate is supposed to be a den, not a punishment

One other trick to try....feed your pup in the crate. It will help to associate the crate with good stuff.

Also the crate should be just big enough for the dog to lay down flat and stand up. No more. Any bigger and it is no longer "den-like", and was suggested, cover it with a towel or blanket....not the entire crate, but the sides. You want it to feel cozy.

And toys, of course!
 
You could also try a Thundershirt or a snug fitting t-shirt. It acts in the same way as swaddling a baby and can be VERY calming. These are GREAT for all kinds of anxiety.
 
agreed, also don't make a fuss when you leave and change the routine, Shelties are masters in patterning behaviour... almost as good as border collies, that's why it is so hard to retrain them sometimes lol
what they learn first is what they learn best!

So what you do now, is super important! Take the time to do those suggested crate games and give him extra yummy stuff when you leave, Toffee can't wait for me to go to work, he goes potty and then comes running in cuz he knows I am leaving=treats scattered in the house for him to find. It decreases their anxiety and gives them something to do instead of fretting where you are... frozen Kong is excellent advice!
 
Toffee's Mom said:
agreed, also don't make a fuss when you leave and change the routine, Shelties are masters in patterning behaviour... almost as good as border collies, that's why it is so hard to retrain them sometimes lol
what they learn first is what they learn best!

So what you do now, is super important! Take the time to do those suggested crate games and give him extra yummy stuff when you leave, Toffee can't wait for me to go to work, he goes potty and then comes running in cuz he knows I am leaving=treats scattered in the house for him to find. It decreases their anxiety and gives them something to do instead of fretting where you are... frozen Kong is excellent advice!
Click to expand...

Yes! Toffee's Mom is right!
 
Thank you all for the help again.

I am so amazed. Worked with Sadie for two days. Went to the store today for about an hour. Came home and watched the video and she only whimpered a couple mins. She layed down and went to sleep for about 25 min. Woke up and played with her kong. When the door opened she sat up and looked around and never made a sound. Was happy when I came in and gave her a "Good Girl".
I will still be working with her. Oh yah, She sits on command now too.

:smile2: Marlowe (aka pixgal):smile2:
 
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