We got Beau from an animal shelter last March. He's 3 years old, we're not sure what breed he is, but he's built like a retriever, but with short orange hair.

ANYWAY, after we got Beau, our family fell in love with him. He's calm when we're calm, and he's playful with the kids, and he LOVES attention. He'll sit there for hours with you as long as you're petting him; and when you stop, he'll push your hand on top of his head. GREAT DOG.

Alas, we can't figure out what to do with him when we go out. Beau had/has separation anxiety and whenever we would leave, Beau would go ballistic. He'd scratch up anything in sight. He even chewed up the metal handle to the door in the laundry room where we kept him. He'd often pee and poop as well. We got some literature about separation anxiety and tried all the suggestions in them and we also tried puppy prozac. We'd try putting him in a kennel and putting it up against the wall so he couldn't get out, but that didn't change that he'd still pee and poop whenever we left.

We've tried rewarding him whenever he he goes outside, but he'll still poop in the house. We started leaving him outside in the yard without his leash when we left (we have an invisible fence installed) and it seemed to be okay for a while and he'd poop wherever in the yard. He seemed happier outside. But then we planted new grass and we couldnt have him outside running in it. We tried staking him out back with a leash, but he'd just tear up the grass. We've tried tying him up on the patio, but he'd just pee and poop there. We figured he might be claustophobic, so we got a a big cage with thinner bars on all sides and on top so he wouldn't feel so confined, but he'd STILL pee and poop.

We dont know what to do, my wife is tired of cleaning up poop off of the carpet, and she's wanting to get rid of him. We don't want to let him loose in the house while we're gone for fear that he might tear up everything. Please help me figure out what to do. We love this dog and he's great with the kids; I would really love to keep him around.

How long are you leaving him alone for? If he is happiest in the yard then that is where I would put him. I wouldn't worry about the grass. He might also do better if he had a companion. (another dog)

we just re-landscaped half of our yard, so half the yard needed grass planted. the grass needs to be there or else it will just be dirt. Plus, because winter is on its way, we wont be able to leave outside for much longer anyway with all the snow.

[Corky/Max]

I have a couple suggestions. As far as the pooping and peeing go in the yard---maybe taking him out on a leash to a spot you would like him to use and staying there until he uses it and then praising him-take back into house and give a treat as soon as you get back in the door--repeat until you think he has got the idea and then try letting him out alone and watching and if he does good-praise him and always give that treat as soon as he gets inside house! As far as the not wanting to be left alone---Don't know if you'd be up for this idea--get another dog for a companion to him---If you know someone with a dog that is friendly to your dog--you could test it out and see what would happen if you left the two together while you were gone. Be great if you could somehow spy on them to see what was happening "while you were away"! Anyway good luck!

our family also has a yorkshire terrier named charlie that has been great with the kids. we've tried leaving charlie in with Beau, only to find charlie huddled in the corner when we return with the hell scared out of him due to Beau's freakouts.

Oh my,. hopefully someone will see your post that has a good answer for you because I don't. Good Luck!

I suggest you leave him leashed outside your house whenever you leave. That way, he won't feel anxious of being left alone.

The dog has a bad past, more than likely he was abused. You will have to start from scratch in pottytraining him. Then you need to hire an animal trainer or behaviorist. You need to do your part as well. You say you bought new grass but don't want the dog on it. Let the dog on the grass. You cannot chain him up in your backyard. You don't understand how cruel that is???? Let him run free in the backyard or give him to someone who will take better care of him.

If you leave poor Beau out in the backyard for more than a few hours, I feel like maybe he'd try to escape and go and run after to find his beloved owners!!! That would be even more dangerous for the dog. . .especially if he is left alone, who knows what mischief he can get into. . .if he runs out of the house and into the street, then we all know what might happen. . .

Trainers and behaviourists are all very expensive, but I believe that they might be a good investment if you after everything you've tried has resulted in failure. I've also adopted "problem child" dogs from the shelter. They need A LOT of love and care. . .and TONS of patience. We had a dog that was severely abused and it took him almost 3 years before he would stop trembling after we should reach out and pet him (I believe he thought we were going to hit him).

With Beau, you need to have all the patience in the world. Since giving him the yorkie buddy wasn't a good idea. . .how about finding another dog buddy? Not all dogs bond and work well together. . .just like people, we click on and off with each other. Or maybe you can find someone to house sit Beau while you're out. . .or even find a dog walker. If you don't want to pay, maybe you can work out a schedule with a friend by babysitting each others' pets/kids?

Good luck!

You mentioned that you have kept Beau in the laundry room where he chewed up the metal handle. My first question is why did you keep him in there? Was it just when you left the house? If he did chew up a metal handle he must have felt very anxious indeed. Please, do not think I am critizing, just trying to understand. It is obvious that you cannot leave him in the yard, on a chain or long lead he might tangle himself up or even choke, left alone he might dig up your new lawn. This may sound odd becuase you think he might be claustrophobic but I think he might do well in a good, sturdy crate. Mind you it should be big enough for him to stand up and turn around in. He will not pee or poo because he will have to lie in it. Before you put him in though, do take him for a walk, even if that means getting up a bit earlier or planning ahead, make sure he has ample opportunity to pee and/or poo if need be. Then put him in the crate. He will be ok to snuggle and snooze for about two- three hours. I would not advise leaving him in there longer than that. You might have to check during a lunch break and let him run and stretch. Do provide water by all means. When you get back make sure to lead him outside immediately and reward him when you see his cage dry and again when he goes outside. Eventually he should get the idea. I do hope it helps.