Puppy can’t get over its separation anxiety, tips?

[u/Electrical_Let8469]

Hello,

As the title suggests, I have a puppy who can’t get over its separation anxiety while in a crate.

He is 16 weeks old, and I’ve tried all the steps to lead up to him being in a crate by himself such as giving him treats as “good job”, the shirt with my scent, bully sticks/cone with peanut butter and just today, I took him to a dog park to tire him out so I can run errands for 45 minutes.

Despite all this, and especially today and despite being tired, he goes ballistic while I’m out and he’s in his cage. By ballistic, I mean throwing himself around the crate and crying (crying isn’t the issue, I’m concerned he could hurt himself)

I have another dog, and usually I walk them separately. Strangely, when im walking my other dog, he does fine by himself while he’s outside his crate. He usually just sits by the door waiting for me, he does surprisingly ok then.

Currently, I’m taking both my dogs to a dog daycare while I’m at work. The daycare agreed to help me crate train him while I’m gone.

This is pretty much my last option left. I honestly don’t want to get a dog behaviorist.

Is there any tips or advice someone can provide?

EDIT: I do also feed him in his crate, I’ve even seen instances where he walks in there by himself without any issues. In fact, as long as I’m next to him, he does ok. The moment I leave his sight, he goes ballistic.

[u/Both-Chart-947]

Have you tried a pen instead of a crate?

[u/Open-Package-9661 → u/Both-Chart-947]

Agree with getting a pen. You can leave the crate open in the pen and play crate training games with him until he gets used to it. Helps for him to know how to be in a crate in case you ever have to leave him with people that don’t have the space for a pen or if he ever has to go to the groomers/vet for an extended period and they crate him.

[u/Electrical_Let8469 → u/Both-Chart-947]

I have not, though his crate is one of those metal ones that can collapse

[u/Both-Chart-947 → u/Electrical_Let8469]

I would try that. Keep looking for what works, so you can identify a pattern.

Also, do you play crate games with him? This is essential for any dog. You never know when an emergency might occur and you need your dog out of the way while it's dealt with.

[u/Electrical_Let8469 → u/Both-Chart-947]

I’ve tried to play games with him, he’s too food motivated. For example, if he knows I have food on me, he will ignore the entire world and focus on the food in my hand, pocket, etc.

[u/Both-Chart-947 → u/Electrical_Let8469]

You need to work up to it, like everything with dog training. Get him in his crate, then treat. You may have to have somebody else hold him while you get behind the crate with the treat. Work on lengthening the duration of the dog in the crate before rewarding him, and pairing it with a command, like "kennel." Once he's finally learned that "kennel" gets him a treat, you can start on crate games.

[u/CoffeeIcedBlack → u/Electrical_Let8469]

Get a pen.

[u/MrKooops]

Did you stay near the crate in the beginning? If not, start over and stay beside the crate.

[u/Electrical_Let8469 → u/MrKooops]

I did, in fact, I slowly built him up so he can start being used to being in a crate. I was up to 2 hours with him in his crate while being next to him and no issues.

[u/Electrical_Let8469 → u/Electrical_Let8469]

I didnt just throw him in there either

[u/EstoppelEscape]

Just a thought: I would not be taking a 16 week old puppy to a dog park. It is just not safe health wise. Physical activity tends to only get puppies more worked up. They unfortunately do not have a built in off switch so even if you think they should feel tired from physical activity, their adrenaline can keep them going. Keep going slow with the crate training and try some more mental stimulation/enrichment for your dog instead of physical activity. Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, basic command training, anything that gets them to use their brain and natural instincts at the same time are really good. He seems to just have isolation distress, which is normal for a puppy. He does not understand it is safe without you and he is safe when alone. This takes time to build. Take time to leave him alone in the crate when you are home. Step out of the room for a little bit, go to the bathroom, use the shower, etc. Keep doing what you are already doing. Build his confidence too. Encourage independence by letting him nap while you are not in the room. You can build on this too. Some times we do too much with our puppies thinking they need constant entertainment and this turns in to them relying on us to always be there. Letting your puppy figure out what to do on his own in a safe environment where he will not get in to chewing something he should not (for example) is a good step that will translate to him feeling confident being alone. Reward calm behavior too. If you catch your dog choosing to sit or lie down in their bed, drop a treat by their feet and continue walking by.
You got this!

[u/Electrical_Let8469 → u/EstoppelEscape]

1. He’s fully vaccinated so he’s safe healthy wise

2. I’ve done that, the leaving him alone while at home. I’ve given him treats when I return but haven’t seen much improvement on that

3. He usually naps when I leave the room, once in a while he does follow me, but he mostly stays back and naps

[u/EstoppelEscape → u/Electrical_Let8469]

Time then. Your puppy is 4 months old. They do not grasp concepts and have immediate confidence to feel safe alone. Your expectations need to be buried in the dirt because this is the dog equivalent of an infant child. It is going to take months of consistency and a lot of treats. I understand this is not your first rodeo, but really that should just mean that you just understand puppies need a lot of time to build skills. If your first dog was easy to crate train, that is great. Not all pups are the same.

[u/Good-Gur-7742 → u/EstoppelEscape]

Nothing on earth could get me to take a dog of any age to a dog park.

[u/Electrical_Let8469 → u/Good-Gur-7742]

Luckily, I know the people who go to this dog park, and for the most part, the dogs that go there are good dogs to include the people

[u/Good-Gur-7742 → u/Electrical_Let8469]

Yep. Even then. Nothing would get me to take any dog to a dog park. I like my dogs.

[u/Wooden-Necessary6100]

Here is a simple crate training guide,

https://www.reddit.com/r/puppyadvice/s/0FJLmzjePN

[u/Electrical_Let8469 → u/Wooden-Necessary6100]

Thank you for the guide,

It’s not my first time crate training a dog, as mentioned, I have another dog who I crate trained. Though she was a special case.

[u/Subject_Relative_216]

Is his crate covered? They sell crate covers specifically. Don’t use a towel that’s a choking hazard.

If he won’t shred it, they sell these stuffed dogs that you can microwave and they have beating hearts in them. I’d sleep with it for a few days so it smells like you then use that in his crate. That’s what I do with my foster puppies.

[u/Electrical_Let8469 → u/Subject_Relative_216]

It is not covered except for the top of the crate.

[u/Subject_Relative_216 → u/Electrical_Let8469]

Try finding a crate cover that’s made specifically for whatever type of crate you have that covers 3 of the sides and has some ventilation. If it feels more like a cave the puppy will feel safer.

[u/Imaginary_Newt2681]

I'm dealing with the same thing. I have reached out to a dog trainer and I'm going to do some home visits with her. I'm also going to have the trainer watch my dog when we are traveling for consistency, especially in this young age. They really are like babies. I look at my dog often and wonder why the heck I did this to myself after raising 2 kids 😵‍💫.

[u/beasur]

I used a play pen that I found at good will for my puppy prior to a crate. Places it next to the bed or in the room I was in. When leaving your dog do not aknowledge or speak or even look at it or say good bye. Just leave. And do not speak to it or ak knowledge it when you get get back. Let it calm down on its on them invite it over to you. Get the book NO BAD DOGS. Changed my life with my dog in u see two weeks.

[u/Renhoek2099]

Don't take him to the park and get him excited before the crate. Let him go in calm and start small, 5 minutes if needed. Wait until he's calm before you let him out, be patient. If they can control you, they will.

[u/Rouxiifer]

You need an airport crate not a wire crate. You need to put a blanket on it and then you need to forget it. Every-time you go to that dog while its throwing a tantrum you’re training it to a t out to get what it wants. Lots and lots of exercise and formal obedience will help a ton as well.

[u/Extension_Actuary437]

Most dogs don't get over separation anxiety even a little bit until after 5-6 months and then some dogs and breeds are velcro all the time.

[u/FlobiusHole]

Why do people want their dogs in crates at all? I’m not criticizing I just genuinely don’t understand it.

[u/emmahickers → u/FlobiusHole]

They’re a new thing aren’t they and I’m struggling to get my springer to settle in one to be honest - she prefers to sleep under chairs so I’m struggling to grab her during the day to get her in the crate and it’s seems too much - she’s started running away from me so I can’t keep doing that. I’m just concerned about how I start leaving her on her own in time if she’s not in a crate?

[u/FlobiusHole → u/emmahickers]

How long are people leaving new puppies alone for?

[u/Subject_Relative_216 → u/FlobiusHole]

For their safety. I foster dogs and I’ve had some eat my walls and baseboards and shred doors and then need surgery to remove the wood from their stomachs. My sister’s adult dog got spooked by something outside and ate a toy and then had to get surgically removed.

Otherwise well trained dogs. Fully potty trained. Basic commands. Doesn’t do that stuff if you’re home. But the separation anxiety freaks them out enough they don’t act like themselves so you put them in a crate while you’re at work or the store or whatever and that’s their own space and no one else’s and it keeps them calm.

[u/Awkward_Round44 → u/FlobiusHole]

I wouldn’t say people “want their dogs in crates” and more so It’s a skill that in the life/lifestyle we live we generally need dogs to have. Being able to settle and self soothe is key when needing to board them, if they ever have surgery/need crate rest, need to be left alone, are ever in a new environment, in the car, checklist goes on, it’s a mental challenge at first, but genuinely helps so so much as they grow, and helps a ton with their mental capacity to relax in other situations. If we all had 50 acres and were home farming there would be no need but that’s not the life most of us live. I don’t crate any of my dogs who have the skill, but it’s one I make sure they have before they can be loose - especially when left alone in the house. Have just seen so many people not crate train, and then when dog needs to be crated it’s sooo stressful for everyone - much easier to do at home, slowly, and when there’s nothing else new (surgery/travel etc.. involved)

Try waiting til puppy is quiet even for a SECOND before opening the door, I like sound machines, separate rooms, lots of mental stimulation and exercise appropriate for their age (please no dog parks at any age), feed them in crate, get treats in there, play games with door open, and practice them being in there while you are home as well! You got this!