Not sure if it's separation anxiety

L

lilchik0203

Forums Novice
I have a 7 month old sheltie. I got her when she was 6 weeks old. When I first got her I would have a gate up in the kitchen at night and when I went to work. Till she got more potty trained and trustworthy with her to have the run of the house, I would only put her in the kitchen when I went to work. For months she would not get into trouble or destroy things. So then I would let her have the run of the house. She never cared that I left her for work. Acted like nothing. But then about 2 months ago she started tearing at the carpet door and chewing wires that were hidden, just getting into trouble. I leave her plenty of treats and toys, but I guess she would rather play with them when I get home. So now i put her back in the kitchen when I leave for work cause it gets tiresome to keep cleaning up the trouble she makes. Before her puppy pad would be in the kitchen and she would leave it. Now the minute I leave, she tears it up, so I come home to shredding puppy pad. Im thinking it could be anxiety, but she doesnt get nervous or shaky or jump on me when I leave. It's like a silent attachment. Is it time to start crating her instead maybe? And if I did that what kind of crate would I get for a 16 lb puppy? I know that puppies sense stress and change in life of their owners, but this one sure shows her anger in destroying things when I leave.

Before when she had the run of the place, she knew she did wrong things when I got home. now she's back in the kitchen while im at work with no puppy pad this time. Its pointless to have one since she'll shred it anyway.

I play with her, take her on walks, we go in the car everywhere together. we go to the doggie park once in a while. Maybe she's just being spoiled with my attention? Im with her right away after work. I dont know what to do. She used to be very good, but maybe she'll grow out of it??? Is she just being a diva?
 
sounds to me like you have a teenager on your hand :lol: I think most will agree that puppies go through this rebelious stage at least once in their life, where they seem to forget everything they used to know.
 
Sounds like a teenager to me!!! They can really go thru a rough time there, just like our kids, hormones and who am I and how do I fit in, DON'T LAUGH!!:biggrin2: Teenage dogs ARE questioning who they are in the pecking order of the house. There are lots of great books to read (The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete) or just bide your time and the good little puppy will return with patience.

Good luck and we are always willing to help. There are LOTS of really knowledgable people here on the forum with great advice, tips and tricks!
 
My puppy just turned 6 months and I think she is going through the same stage. She never had a chewing problem until recently. Now she's starting to chew the carpet and floor mats. She steals slippers and runs around the house with them.

I always crate her when I can't watch her. I have no intention of giving her freedom of the house until at least a year old.

I think 7 months is a little too young to trust a puppy home alone. For your pup's safety, I would start crating her.
 
Definite teenager!

Just do what you are doing, going back to basics. They do grow out of it eventually (or most of them do anyway....I'm still not sure about Indy!)
 
I remember when Meggie hit the "teenage" phase. I honestly thought, "What happened to my sweet, well behaved, little girl?" I was afraid I'd never see her again, but we got through it, eventually.

Has she been spayed?
 
I agree - its back to basics to deal with the adolescent behaviour. Confine her access again, give her clear directions (their brain seems to go on hold when they reach adolescence). I reconfined the areas my two could go in - altho I did leave a puppy pud out because some adolescent dogs (like my female) suddenly forget they are toilet trained!

She will need some chew toys - and perhaps some rawhide. At this age her adult teeth will still be settling in so may be uncomfortable and chewing helps ease the pain.

On the weekend an adolescent staffy was playing with the neighbourhood dogs. He took a shining to one of the older (very big) cross breed females - Pearl. He alternated between trying to hump Pearl and trying to suckle from her (both dogs are desexed)! I don't think I have seen a better illustration of the confusion of an adolescent pup!

Just keeping telling yourself - at least it doesnt last as long as human adolescence!
 
Thanks

Thanks for some of the tips. She still gets plenty of chew toys and natural bones (no chicken!). She's going to get spayed on the 11th of this month. So hopefully it will help. I heard a woman at work, she got her 7 month german shepard spayed and said she's crazy than ever! It worries me, but then I think Sheltie's are more special than that!
 
HEY ME TOO!!! TEENAGERS ARE HIGH MAINTANCE!!!

My pup is 8 months old. She was a little angel until about a month ago! Now she is just a little stink head! She is up early (5 am) with me. She goes out for a little pee then inside for some playtime with me. She then eats and plays alone for a little. Then she is out to pee or poo again. When everyone leaves for work she is crated. (about 8-2 or so) Then she is out of crate and with someone at all times. We have a gate in living room and one in kitchen. She is in living room most of time. She hates the kitchen!! She is out playing all day or following us around. At night after her walk, she eats, plays until bedtime. Then she goes in crate about 9:30 or 10 and in all night. I plan on leaving the crate in the living room until I can trust her probally around a year old. However during Christmas week (when I am off all week) I am going to see how she does one or two nights with the crate door open in our bedroom. There is not too much that she can get in to. We will see how it goes!
 
I built a pen for Deja and Darby. It's about eight feet long and 4 feet wide. there's a den on one end that they can snuggle in. we put chew toys and kongs in there for them. They stay in there from 7am until about noon when I go let them out for a short break, then back to the pen until 5pm.

They love it. They know it as their safe fun place. When we tell them they need to go to their pen they go running!

Deja did decide that our walls tasted good about a month ago. She started chewing them whenever she could. we use baby gates to limit her access. The other thing she loves is toilet paper but only if it's on the spool. She sneaks into the bathrooms and shreds it whenever she can.

It was really cute the first time she did it because she didn't know it was wrong and when she ran out of paper she came and got me and wanted it refilled... She has those 'daddy please!!!' eyes down pretty good. i almost got her out a new roll until Dawn saw me hehe..

So you guys say this ends at about a year? Good to know. She's not bad at all but I can't wait to give her and Darby the run of the house. i hate limiting their access.
 
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