separation anxiety or what? Am at wits end~!

[nighthawkess]

Hi everyone. I'm new here, and about at my wits end. I have a german shepherd, female, 17 months old. I have a hobby farm with chickens, horses and a couple of calves. My dogs name is Freedom. She goes with me everywhere. I crate trained her to use the bathroom outside, and it went off without a hitch. I take her everywhere in my vehicle, and where ever I am on the property. She is with me. So much so, that she's always in the way. I can live/work with that. This summer has been terribly hot, and I couldn't take her with me the other day, as it's too hot to leave her in the vehicle. I have a chihuahua at home, and I left home without her, but left her with some beef bones to chew on, to keep her busy. When I came home about an hour and a half later, she had chewed up a huge corner of my new couch! I was shocked and upset. A few months back, she was in my van while I did groceries, and when I came back, she had chewed up the whole back seat of my van. I honestly thought she had gotten over this, and thought she would be fine in the house. I have crated her before, but she's like a houdini and figure out a way to get out of it. I've wired the crate together to keep her in, and even used binder twine in 4 different places. When I arrived home she had worked all of them loose but one, and was almost done the last one! I'm at my wits end, and feel overwhelmed. I also have a german shepherd/lab cross, and she's nothing like Freedom, and the day Freedom chewed my van apart, she wasn't alone. Sheba, my shepher/lab was with her. I don't know what to do! She seems to be vindictive! I'm ready to give up. Help, advice, opionions please!

[gsdraven]

Welcome!

There is such a thing as spending too much time with your dog. At some point, we need to teach them to be alone. How much actual physical and mental exercise is she receiving?

She isn't being vindictive, dogs don't think like that. She may have chewed the couch and car seat because she was anxious or she may have done it simply because she is bored.

You need to start teaching her to be alone. Crate her when you aren't with her to watch her. You need to slowly separate yourself from her. The first day, you may just leave her for 10 minutes, next day 20 minutes and so on until she can be left alone without caring. Give her a kong filled with peanut butter and frozen to keep her occupied in her crate when you leave.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by gsdraven

Welcome!

There is such a thing as spending too much time with your dog. At some point, we need to teach them to be alone. How much actual physical and mental exercise is she receiving?

She isn't being vindictive, dogs don't think like that. She may have chewed the couch and car seat because she was anxious or she may have done it simply because she is bored.

You need to start teaching her to be alone. Crate her when you aren't with her to watch her. You need to slowly separate yourself from her. The first day, you may just leave her for 10 minutes, next day 20 minutes and so on until she can be left alone without caring. Give her a kong filled with peanut butter and frozen to keep her occupied in her crate when you leave.

I agree with everything that Jamie said.

I also want to say that some dogs have to be crated longer than others. I tried to give my male freedom in the house when he was 1 year old and he ended up eating part of my wall and ripped up some carpet so I had to start crating him again. I couldn't leave him free in the house until he was 2 years old, it's been 5 or 6 months now that he has been free and he has not messed anything up.

[1sttimeforgsd]

Welcome, hope that you are able to find a solution for your girl Freedom's destructiveness when she is alone.

[WVGSD]

On another recent thread about a dog that can't be left at home, this type of indestructable crate was suggested with a recommendation for the level three model.

Heavy Duty Dog Crate - Indestructible Dog Crates - Pet Strollers - Pet Carriers

[carmspack]

agree with gsdraven -- in addition though , I would crate the dog while I am at home -- while she can see me -- making this a place to be , not having it attached to not being home. If she kicks up a fuss, do not respond . YOU keep her there until YOU are ready to bring her out .
Carmen