Don't know how to deal with Maddy :(

[Mom to Hot Rod]

You got some good advice from the other posters. I totally agree with not giving free roam yet and giving her some toys to occupy her and a radio or tv. I am famous for forgetting things so I am always running back in all the time-it's gotten to the point that they just look at me and just sit and wait for me to come back in when I go out the door. I know this cause I usually wind up doing it! lol. Then the times that I go out, say to the freezer in the garage and come back in, they have gone off and were in the living room playing away. Just desensitize her and it will get better. My 2 still realize that when I put my coat on it means go sit by the door cause I'm going out. I just tell them to stay and they don't go pass a certain point. Good luck.

[sarahheartmaddy]

I have bought her a puppy kong and she could careless about it when I leave. I have left the TV and Radio on. I put something that smells like me in the room. I think it is a combo of Separation Anxiety and throwing a tantrum. I think this is what happens. She is put in the bathroom when I leave. I think she is upset so even though she is trained on the puppy pad she just goes where ever. Then the separation anxiety kicks in and she jumps around and runs back and forth, all through the mess.

I know free roam could be more of a disaster... I just don't know how to break her of this. An X-Pen maybe???

[DianaB]

When you put her in her crate only give her enough room to lay down. Fill the rest of the crate with boxes or other things to fill up the extra room. They usually won't go to the bathroom where they have to lay. It sounds mean but if you check into crate training that's what works. She'll learn to hold her bladder longer. Also being in a smaller space makes them feel more secure and she may not get as anxious. When you see that she's doing better then give her more space in the crate. Eventually you'll be able to let her out in the bathroom. Good luck!!

[viviansnickers]

Hi Sarah...

I am dealing with Snicks separation anxiety right now and spoke to a specialist and listed all the reccomendations on my thread in the Training section labeled "I'm lost and desperate and don't know what to do" started by me. Take a gander, hope it can help. The best things that are helping Snickers right now is putting him in his area WHILE WE ARE HOME. At this time, we give him his Kong and other distraction toy as well, and it has helped a TON. While he is in there I wil jingle my keys, get my shoes on, get my coat on and sit on the couch! I also reward him with another treat if he is calm while being in there, this shows him we like his behavior. He still pee's once a while but no more poop and alot less pee. He wears a belly band for our sanilty sake b/c we could not clean up anymore everyday. Another thing that has helped a ton is that we walk him ALOT. We make sure he poops before we leave for work. It helps that we know exactly what times he needs to poop.

GOOD LUCK....look into the tips the behaviorist gave me, also make sure you are TOP DOG/PACK LEADER!!!!!

Smiles...

[ambocken]

Originally Posted by DianaB

When you put her in her crate only give her enough room to lay down. Fill the rest of the crate with boxes or other things to fill up the extra room. They usually won't go to the bathroom where they have to lay. It sounds mean but if you check into crate training that's what works. She'll learn to hold her bladder longer. Also being in a smaller space makes them feel more secure and she may not get as anxious. When you see that she's doing better then give her more space in the crate. Eventually you'll be able to let her out in the bathroom. Good luck!!

This is EXACTLY what I was going to suggest. We were having a similar issue when we left ours in her room. She was also peeing in the crate. When you put her in the crate also do not put any blankets or soft things in there with her (for awhile until she realizes not to pee). She has to earn the right to have these things. It sounds mean, but they do not understand it as that. Blankets soak up the pee and they don't learn not to go in there.

I have found the hard way that training them when you are gone and training them when you are home are two very different issues that need to be taken care of separately. Especially when separation anxiety is an issue.