Dutch Shepherd Forum

Hey everyone!!

So we are having a new "problem" Bella is now barking her head off in the crate while im at work off and on, my roommate who works from home let me know about it the last few days. I'm attributing it to her separation anxiety since that is already a known problem and is the reason she gets crated to begin with. Any advice? she gets exercised mentally and physically before work and is usually tuckered out. I give her a special treat every time i go to work for getting into her crate and have the crate in my room I close the black out curtains and put on calming music to let her know its quiet time. If i am home and leave the room to go to the bathroom or anything like that and leave her in there she is fine this is only happening while i'm at work so about three days a week she comes with me to work the other two. I just don't like the idea of her being upset and barking the whole time i'm at work. I work with my PSA group tomorrow and will ask for advice there as well but i figure the more the merrier. lol anyone ever deal with the same or similar problem? if so how was it worked out?

One thing I would do is forget the special work treat...this makes it different. Be consistent with getting her in and out of the crate. Same thing every time. Make the crate positive...feed her in there. Also, crate her while you are at home for periods at a time increasing the amount of time with each session. Put her in there, walk out of the room, and then walk back in and let her out before she has a chance to have a melt-down. Put her in again, leave the room, and stay gone a little longer. Lather-rinse-repeat until you find her threshold. I had to do this with Tyson. The key is to keep increasing the time she's in the crate and yet keep her from melting down. Also, when you let her out of her crate, make sure she isn't going berzerk and isn't over excited. She should come out of her crate somewhat calmly and not explode out like a rocket.

Does she ever go in her crate on her own? If so, you can try shaping that behavior. Every time she goes in on her own and lays down, treat her. Shaping is WONDERFUL because it is them doing it on their own.

This might be another occasion to suggest Susan Garrett's Crate Games, in reference to Stacy's spot-on remarks about not allowing the dog to go nuts when released from the crate (which most will naturally want to do).

Thanks for the advice we will work on it will keep everyone updated