[Plazma]

Well currently we have a 3 1/2 year old male whom weve had since a young puppy and hes always been a loyal and loving member of our family .
We have 3 children aged 18-12-10 all girls so the Dog was a male just so i wouldnt feel so left out lol.Now hes always been an incredible dog never chewing anything ,even from a small puppy i could count the amount of accident bathroom wise he ever had in the house and never as a puppy seemed to have any issues when we brought him home from day 1.
Well through a friend whom can no longer keep their female (spayed) GSD we have decided to see about adopting her into our home.She is 4 1/2 years old and has been raised by a female owner and with children .We have taken her on a 3 day trial basis to see how well she will fit in with everyone.
She is always waggin her tail and is very very friendly towards all members of the family and seems to have taken her place in order of pack.Shadow our male seems quite happy to have her around and nothing more then barking at her occasionaly when the kids will be playing fetch wiht her and she doesnt wanna let go or simply showing her where her place in the pack is

Sheba(the female) after first spending 30 minutes with her and her previous onwer i was able to establish pack leader quite easily simply by using her favorite toy a old basketball and making her leave it by only using voice and eye contact so that part went very well.
After going out for 3 hours tonight and coming home as i carefully opened my front door Sheba bolted out the door in what seemed a panic,now ive come home various times with them being the house together and had no issues other then her beginning to step outside and being told no etc but tonight was as i said like. she was in a panic.
Well i drive up the street looking and couldnt see her thinking she was gone ,i quickly came home and brought Shadow out on his leash and as if he knew what had happened he was also upset and barking which appeared to bring her back up the road and i was able to get her on her leash and back into the house.
Inspecting the front door she had chewed quite heavily at the door etc while we were gone ,someting Shadow has never done.

I immedially took both dogs on a 30 minute walk on the leash of course for which she is very obdient on the leash etc more then happy to walk with myself and Shadow and even as i type this now Sheba is laying beside me asleep on the floor.
Well now that ive typed this long winded or texted mssg what i am a little concerned with is this panic attack of hers which i can fully understand since Sheba has only been in our home for 3 days now.
Would i be wise to perhaps consider getting a kennel to keep her while i am away?I really have never bothered with doing this with the Male but of course this circumstance is completely different

 

[kelso]

I think you might want to try to crate her while you are gone, seeing she has only been there a few days and you both don't totally "know" each other yet. It might decrease some of her "panic" and give her a safe spot to chill. It will also make sure she is safe and cannot get into things.

Our male has been with us since 8 wks, he will be 2 in Sept and is still crated while we are gone. He doesnt have seperation issues, anxiety or anything, but he is just who he is..and still needs to be crated. He loves his crate and settles before or if we even shut the door to the crate but I still don't trust him outside the crate for to long while we are gone. Our female, we have had for a shorter time (from rescue at about 1 yr old) and she already can be outside the crate when we are not home at times.

Especially since your girl is new, you would want to only have the two of your dogs together when you can supervise, just to make sure things are going well.

So, it just depends on the dog, but sounds like it might be best if she stays in the crate and just gets comfortable for now. Sounds like you have an awesome male dog, but not all dogs are like that! Our male will still chew apart a bed and create havoc right in front of us, let alone if we leave him to his own devices (especially if he has not been exercised to the max that day)!

Good Luck! and welcome! Post some pics of your dogs when you get a chance. Sounds like they have a good home, just give her some time, she is still finding her place with you, your other dog and your family.

hope that makes sense, or helps at all

 

[GSDOwner2008]

I think she has seperation anxiety. Not that she stressed to be seperated from you per se, but maybe people in general. I think kelso is right that until you work with her a little more you should definately crate her while your home is vacant, or she can't be watched.

 

[BlackGSD]

Has she ever been crated before?

 

[Plazma]

Thanks ,thats what i was considering as well gettin a crate for her while were away .
The males has as i mentioend before never caused any destruction in the house and hes been left here along for periods of 5-7 hours before and will always be waiting by the front door for someone to return home.
She was left alone for an hour before with the Male and seemed to be okay wiht no issues but as i know since this is all very new to her i can realize her anxiety and have been trying to be careful with her everytime i open the front door but when a dog wants out they get out i guess.I'm jsut glad she came back up the street to have enough sense already where we are/she is at .
Today is our third day with her on a trial basis and were leaning towards keeping her since this has been her only issue and rather then seeing such a well mannered dog going to the pound which will do her know good shes been very loving and happy towards all members of the family .
I'll post some pics up soon
Thanks Steve