I know Doberman’s are Velcro dogs, but I am having a terrible time with what I think may be separation anxiety. When he is left alone, he whines, cries, and howls terribly nonstop. I initially thought it was crate issues, but I am seeing the same behavior when I walk out of the house for a minute to go to the garage.. when he is out of the crate. He also starts in when he’s in the back seat of the car and I step out.... whether I’m in sight or not. Please help!!!!He’s 16 weeks. I feel like I can’t go anywhere... what can I do?
Separation anxiety?? Please help
- Thread starter Cpacella
- Start date
This seems really young for true separation anxiety. What @ArdynBane asked - tell about the crate training and also how long you've had your pup? - a few days, a few weeks? - and has this been going on since you got him or is it new behavior?
ArdynBane
Notable member
How did you introduce the crate to him? Is it always open for him to go in there? When do you use it? What have you been doing currently to address the behaviour?
The crate isn’t the issue. He goes in there for treats. He goes in for toys... he will sit in there with door closed. Just don’t leave him. He starts barking and whining. He does this when left in the car, house, anywhere. I have only let him out of crate when quiet, never when whining. I have to wait for a lull.
Before you leave the house, would you say he was he given adequate physical and mental stimulation?
Have you tried a crate cover? Left a radio on for background noise?
Have you tried a crate cover? Left a radio on for background noise?
Ladydi
Hot Topics Subscriber
Time will mend this........ pups love a routine. Try to keep up a routine.
Yep ..they whine and cry now......but they will learn that..... you go away ...but you also return.
This takes some time...........6-7 months for my Hoss. Shoot when you think about it ...not so long ago your pup was with Mom and litter mates so pup just needs more time to grow and mature.
Meanwhile.......hang in there ........
Yep ..they whine and cry now......but they will learn that..... you go away ...but you also return.
This takes some time...........6-7 months for my Hoss. Shoot when you think about it ...not so long ago your pup was with Mom and litter mates so pup just needs more time to grow and mature.
Meanwhile.......hang in there ........
Kaiser2016
Well-Known Member
Even if you’ve never been in a hostage situation, I bet having a Doberman puppy comes close. Ugh, they are so horrible at that age.
A routine could certainly help.
A routine could certainly help.
Ugh, yes, sounds familiar.
We got Oji at 12 weeks, if I recall. He is now just turning 5 years old.
That first night, I realized I could not even walk out of his sight without him crying. Walk out the front door to take the trash out or something? Forget about it. Worst part: There is no place in our house that his noise cannot be heard. My wife and daughter needed to sleep. I was forced to sleep on the dining room floor – had him a few feet away from me on a blanket, but he right away came over and laid against me.
Crating Oji? He would pee every time in the crate. Most times he would also poo in there (and get all in it).
He is near impossible to board on the rare occasions I must travel.
A few months ago, we reached the point where he could be left in the house – uncrated! I began to wonder if he would have been better off all along not being crated. Well, one day we left him in the house and my wife and I took daughter to a play date and then went out for lunch. Well, it was a rainy day, including lightning. We came home to the bathroom rug shredded and pee all over that floor. After that, I did go ahead and trust him in the house loose when we were gone (no rain). We came home to find he had peed all over the front door rug.
So that is gone. He cannot be trusted in the house loose when we leave anymore.
Not to make this about me and Oji.
I guess my message is that if your dog has separation anxiety, it's my opinion that it will be with him for life. I wish I had a better message for you. Maybe I'm wrong.
Really, consider this please: He may not have separation anxiety! It may just be typical puppy problems!
We got Oji at 12 weeks, if I recall. He is now just turning 5 years old.
That first night, I realized I could not even walk out of his sight without him crying. Walk out the front door to take the trash out or something? Forget about it. Worst part: There is no place in our house that his noise cannot be heard. My wife and daughter needed to sleep. I was forced to sleep on the dining room floor – had him a few feet away from me on a blanket, but he right away came over and laid against me.
Crating Oji? He would pee every time in the crate. Most times he would also poo in there (and get all in it).
He is near impossible to board on the rare occasions I must travel.
A few months ago, we reached the point where he could be left in the house – uncrated! I began to wonder if he would have been better off all along not being crated. Well, one day we left him in the house and my wife and I took daughter to a play date and then went out for lunch. Well, it was a rainy day, including lightning. We came home to the bathroom rug shredded and pee all over that floor. After that, I did go ahead and trust him in the house loose when we were gone (no rain). We came home to find he had peed all over the front door rug.
So that is gone. He cannot be trusted in the house loose when we leave anymore.
Not to make this about me and Oji.
I guess my message is that if your dog has separation anxiety, it's my opinion that it will be with him for life. I wish I had a better message for you. Maybe I'm wrong.
Really, consider this please: He may not have separation anxiety! It may just be typical puppy problems!
I'm glad @Diane Law mentioned a schedule. I found that with Oji, physical comfort and a routine are two things that really help him.
In fact, the first day he did not poo or pee in his crate was the day it had turned to warm weather and I had had him out in the warm/hot sun for a walk. (He tolerates warm sunshine very poorly) I had switched that day from his wire crate to his plastic (airline-type) crate, and it was located in the very cool, rather dark basement. I put him in there and lo and behold no pee when I came back to him! That was essentially the end of his crate messing problem.
So, that deals with physical comfort; but yes, also a routine to the day helps him as well.
In fact, the first day he did not poo or pee in his crate was the day it had turned to warm weather and I had had him out in the warm/hot sun for a walk. (He tolerates warm sunshine very poorly) I had switched that day from his wire crate to his plastic (airline-type) crate, and it was located in the very cool, rather dark basement. I put him in there and lo and behold no pee when I came back to him! That was essentially the end of his crate messing problem.
So, that deals with physical comfort; but yes, also a routine to the day helps him as well.
Atingles10
Notable member
When you walk away do you give him attention right before and make a fuss on him when you come back? I would try to slowly increase the time away from him in small increments.
I agree with the schedule point. For our guy schedule is crucial. Our guy is almost 13 months and has proven he still can't be left out of the crate when we leave.
When we leave for work, or to go anywhere we put our guy in the crate with his treat and walk away. We make sure to not make a big fuss about leaving and coming back. As I'm leaving I can hear him whining upstairs in his crate and I feel so guilty. A few mintues later though when I check him on the camera he's just laying down chilling in his crate.
Does your pup do anything else besides whine when you leave the room?
I agree with the schedule point. For our guy schedule is crucial. Our guy is almost 13 months and has proven he still can't be left out of the crate when we leave.
When we leave for work, or to go anywhere we put our guy in the crate with his treat and walk away. We make sure to not make a big fuss about leaving and coming back. As I'm leaving I can hear him whining upstairs in his crate and I feel so guilty. A few mintues later though when I check him on the camera he's just laying down chilling in his crate.
Does your pup do anything else besides whine when you leave the room?
This is what I was going to say too. If you just leave in a matter of fact way and don't look back or acknowledge any fuss when you come home, he will catch on that he has to be quiet and settled before he gets attention.
