[csteffens]

Please help.

I just got my 4 month old American Eskimo Bolt 2 weeks ago. He's really smart and has a great temperament. He's also crate trained. He doesn't cry or bite the kennel and he goes in willingly, BUT when I'm gone he will not leave his crate even if the door is open. He will not eat or drink. And when I am home I can't even shift my weight on the couch without him thinking I'm moving. He has to have his eyes on me at all times and even runs into things regularly because he's looking at me while he's walking.

I have to leave for a few days in August and I'm afraid that he won't eat or drink during that time while he's home with my husband. What should I do to break him of this issue?

Any suggestions?

[CorkyMax]

You haven't had him very long---He may change his 'attitude' after he is sure that this is a forever home and he can trust you. It is a long time yet before you have to go in August. How does he react to your husband? I would wonder that if you shifted a lot of his care--Have husband be the one to feed him and take him for walks, etc.--Give him treats and play with him a lot.---Do it long enough till he gets attached enough to your husband that you can leave the house and your husband is able to feed him and he will eat. If you keep repeating leaving the dog for short periods of time and having your husband with him at those times --Your dog would finally see that you are always going to return. Could do it for a half hour and then repeat in another hour--You get the picture. And don't make a production when you do go out the door or when you return home---Act like it is a normal thing and don't coddle the dog! Don't 'baby' him at other times either when he is 'clinging' to you. Hope this helps.

You may find some other ideas in this forum also by going to top of page(s) in here--find the blue strip that goes across the page with all the white words in it--find the word search--click on it and put appropriate words in the box--- like separation anxiety, etc. Will bring up a list of threads that you can choose from and maybe find what some other members have done or advice they may give. Good luck. Keep us posted on any progress or other things.