My dog has separation anxiety and tries to escape his crate. Help!

Question

My dog sleeps in his crate fine, but when I crate him before leaving the house he looses it and the other day he figured out how to open it and get out. He jumps, kicks, bites and claws at his crate whenever he’s in there because I’m leave (not super often), but I’m afraid he’s going to hurt himself. He also starts panting heavily and is clearly distressed. He already broke his tooth and I’m pretty sure it’s from throwing a fit in his crate. Any advice? Pet's info: Dog | Boxer | Male | neutered | 1 year and 2 months old | 55 lbs

Dr. Paula Simons · Accepted Answer

It sounds like poor Buku has a touch of separation anxiety. Unfortunately, this is a behavior that takes time and patience to resolve. I would start by making the crate a fun place with treats and toys. Work on having him enjoy time in the crate by throwing treats in or giving him his favorite toys in there. Offer him long-lasting treats for times when you need to leave, such as stuffed Kongs. Reward him for spending time in the crate. Work at closing the door while you are home and reward for calm behavior. Step outside and then come back in and give him a reward if he is calm. This is a complex issue and there are lots of ways to approach managing it. I'd love to discuss this management further if you would like to have a consultation. Otherwise, there are tons of online resources to address this issue or you can consult directly with a trainer.

My dog has separation anxiety and tries to escape his crate. Help!

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

Is it normal for a pregnant guinea pig to zoom after cage cleaning?

What fish dog food helps dry skin if my dog eats Science Diet?

Why is my new pet biting? Is she stressed or scared in her new home?

My small pet is limping and can't bear weight. Should I see a vet?

My degu lost teeth after an accident. How can I feed him soft foods?

How do I safely fix my dog or cat's painful hangnail at home?

Share