[jfsifontes]

Hi everyone, I recently got a new dog, 1-year old Irish Setter, who is at risk of being surrendered due to a severe anxiety problem. We cannot leave the house without him either barking or scratching his cage crate to move it. When we do leave, out of fear (we believe) he poops in his cage. I cannot figure out for the life of me what going on. On top of that, he refuses to go to the bathroom outside, he'll simply ignore the fact that he has to go potty and play with the bugs. If I dont train him to deal with this soon, I am gonna lose him. What can I do to teach this dog not to crap everywhere when we are gone, he has done it 5 times!!! plz help, if you need anymore info, do not hesitate to ask, I will respond as quickly as possible.

[Lara's mom]

Have you taken him to the vet? There are some medications that help to reduce anxiety. The unfortunate problem with a rescue dog is that you often don't know what his life was like before you got him. He may have been very isolated and is afraid of being left alone again. As for the pooping, take him out in the yard; bring a book. Stay there until he poops and then make an enormous fuss over him, give him treats, etc.

Until he has the outside potty thing down, crate him when you have to leave him alone. Try putting a blanket over the crate to create a safe little den for him. This kind of anxiety will not resolve overnight. It will take time and patience. You could also try leaving some soft music on for him or a recording of your voice - anything you think might be even remotely helpful in reducing his anxiety level. Something to chew might also be helpful.

Also, don't make a fuss either when leaving or returning. Doing so, reinforces for him that your coming and going are a reason to be anxious. It might also be helpful to get a dogsitter for a while when you're gone so he doesn't feel abandoned. The sitter would be helpful with the potty training too.

You can also try slowly getting him slowly used to your leaving. Go out as you normally would but, only stay out for a couple of minutes. Come back in and greet him calmly. Keep doing this for slightly longer periods of time until you can be out at least an hour. Hopefully, by then he will realise that it's o.k if you leave because you always come back.

[Lunareclipse]

Have you considered taking the dog to a friend's house while you are gone? If we are going to be gone longer than 4 hours, we take our dogs to our best friend's house. If the dog was abandoned, then everytime you leave, he might worry that you are going to abandon him too.

[Lara's mom]

Funny you should mention that Luna. My girls have never been abused in any way but, I'm such a nervous mom that if I'm going to be away longer than an hour, I either get a babysitter to come in or, take them to a babysitter! I live in a highrise building so, I'm always afraid of fire.

[PowerNubby]

You should read my post here(housetraining double trouble - explain this behavior!) about potty training.. this COULD be a potty training issue AND an anxiety issue

Also, I hate to say this, but have you TRIED to not use the crate? I tried a crate with my Cappy because thats what the shelter said.. then I snapped out of it and realized that I have had rescue dogs growing up and we NEVER used a crate.. crates are a thing of the new... they are more convenience for the owner than for the dog.. yes, dogs come to love their crates as their home, but sometimes its at a HUGE stress to the dog in the beginning.

Anyways.. try, instead of crating, use baby gates (or bigger if you have a large dog) and confine him to one room where he will do the least damage.. This paired with some serious potty training SHOULD help.. Yes, you have a new dog and you WILL HAVE ACCIDENTS>

if you are not prepared to deal with addidents while your dog adjusts, then you should not have a dog.. But if you are willing to put the time and effort into getting this dog situated, then he could be an AMAZING pooch! BUt it could be a big project.. Shelter dogs can have some severe separation anxiety issues.

A good way to deal with separation anxiety is to teach the dog that everytime you leave, you will come back. The anxiety is based on the fact that the dog thinks that every time you leave, the dog is alone forever..

So this is what you do to teach them that it is not the case..

with your dog out of the crate, start putting on your coat and shoes (your normal leaving ritual). If the dog starts to freak out, try and ignore him but dont leave until he calms down.. Just sit on the couch and ignore the dog until he calms down.. when he calms down, take all of the items off.. wait a few minutes and put the stuff back on and sit with it on until he calms down.. then take it off.. In no time the dog will be desensitized to this "leaving ritual" and will not react to it.

Then go a step further.. Put all of the stuff on and walk out the door.. he will probably freak like usual. This time, only stay out for 20 seconds and then come back inside with treats and happiness BUT when you come back in, ONLY give the dog the treat when he settles down and is quiet.. With the treat in hand, tell him to SIT and QUIET.. even if he sits and is quiet for a split second give him the treat RIGHT AWAY! Dogs associate the last behavior they did with the treat.. Also, i forgot to mention, use an AWESOSME treat.. something like cheese, boiled chicken, or bacon pieces (small bits).

Keep on doing this in and out of the house thing.. Eventually the dog will sit quietly at the door waiting his 20 seconds for his treat because he will associate you leaving and him being quiet with a treat..

THEN.. do the same thing but make the time a little longer and longer.. take a walk around the block.. 5 minutes... 10 minutes.. etc.. Do NOT move on to the next step until the dog has completely grasped the first step.

Once you hit the 20 minute mark, any amount of time should be fine!!!

You will have to get in and out of your house a million times, and you will feel ridiculous, but this WILL HELP!

Watch Victoria Stillwells "Its Me or the Dog" on animal planet and you can see this method in action.. She's a great dog trainer when it comes to this type of stuff

[german sheep]

Your dog has no anxiety!
He has a loss of control. He controles you and if you are not there he has to find something else to calm down. He needs a ventil for the stress which grows in it because loss of control means a lot of stress for your dog.
So the ventil could be barking, yelling, scratching pooing in the house or playing with his bugs.

The question is: why does he has the loss of controll? Was he never taught to stay alone? A dog needs to learn that being alone is nothing fearfull.

Can you tell us more about what he has made for experiences with the owner he had before you?
Maybe he never has had a chance of a good socialisation, this would fit to his behaviour. Everything a dog does not know scares it.

When you are at home, what are you doing/working with him? How is he at the leash, does he pull, what is his behaviour when you get visitors? Can he be stroked or is he a shy dog? How long do you have the dog, where did you get him from?
What does the vet say to his general condition?

I need further information to help you.

LG
GS

[PowerNubby]

Your dog has no anxiety, just stress?

Wow.. thats a backwards statement if i have ever heard one.

A dog that is stressed because you left is a dog that has anxiety