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| From: | Callie (76.5.39.114)
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| Subject: | Re: one step at a time |
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Date: | July 18, 2008 at 5:33 pm PST |
In Reply to: Re: one step at a time posted by Jennifer on July 17, 2008 at 6:09 pm:
Is he one of those dogs who turns around and around when he potties? If he's doing that it *would* get all over his paws.
There *is* separation anxiety here -- you'd probably have to set up a camera w/sound to figure out exactly what is triggering it. Then you'd have to desensitize for *that* thing. I would probably ditch that crate and buy a new one -- opposite whatever you've had (if you've used a varikennel, switch to a wire crate and vs.)
I never use a crate in the living room. The living room is a place of activity -- it's also a place where people may walk by, come to the door, and there is a TON of stuff that goes on in and around that room. it's a room for 'doing' NOT for sleeping.
The point of a crate is to encourage them to sleep. Our crates are always in the bedroom -- and no, my dogs don't sleep IN their crates at night, but they DO during the day. That room 'smells' like sleep to them. It's what you do **there**.
I would try giving him a different crate, in a different room ... I would also try giving him something like Hylands Calms Forte about 45 minutes before you leave ... and see if it makes a difference.
If you have windows in your bedroom I would leave the drapes/blinds **closed** -- I would be sure to leave soothing music or some strong 'white noise' of some sort so he can't hear things from the outside. Let it be a quiet, set-apart world for him.
It's interesting that he's destructive when left in a room, but NOT in the crate apart from the soiling.
If he's been in an open wire crate -- at least go with a brand NEW crate -- but I'd go for more of a den atmosphere ... if he's used to a varikennel, a wire crate is a completely different thing for him.
You *want* the smell to be NOT his smell. No matter how well you clean you will never remove completely the residue with his mark on it, so honestly a new crate is a must.
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