https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:40:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-925034 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:32:33 +0000 LovelyPlum 925034@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. 64: our pup totally moved from room to room in her crate, too! That's when we knew it was time to ditch it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-925032 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 21:31:43 +0000 LovelyPlum 925032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I'm really glad! Ours eventually did better outside of the crate, too...I think because she could sleep on my pillow. Good for you guys for doing what she needs :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-922511 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:33:19 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 922511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>oh no!! bratty pup!</p> <p>our pup barked and whined his head off at first, so we started putting him in and letting him back out while we were home. we also just left for short bits of time working up to longer. We also cover his cage with a blanket so it's nice and dark for him.</p> <p>good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-922478 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 12:22:21 +0000 AmandaB8 922478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, some dogs do better in crates, and some do better outside of crates! Just remember, if she gets into a chewing phase outside of the crate, she's probably bored. Supply her with an antler to chew on, or a busy toy and she should be fine again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-922398 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 11:58:44 +0000 lioneyes 922398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>nothing to offer except, that is a REALLY adorable dog! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-921934 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 10:15:37 +0000 Vegmama 921934@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: This is definitely separation anxiety, but it's normal. We couldn't put anything in our dog's crate for 4-5 years. It is what it is. No blankets over or under. Our vet suggested crate training (as in giving a treat every time they get in, leaving the crate open &amp; available all day, encouraging it as a safe place, etc.). Eventually, it will be their safe place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-921812 Thu, 11 Jul 2013 09:50:40 +0000 heffalump 921812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: We always thought about doing something like that with our last dog. He had bad separation anxiety and would tear up our front door. We wanted to know if he did it right when we left and then calmed down, or was crazy the whole time. We were too scared to know the truth so we never did it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-920945 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 21:39:46 +0000 Happygal 920945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Artbee: what a good idea! Our dog counter surfs, but only when we are out of sight. We should get a monitor so we can catch her in the act!</p> <p>Glad your pup is calming down nicely. She's looks like a sweetheart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-920885 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 21:09:22 +0000 heffalump 920885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all of the input ladies :) we tried leaving her out of the crate and watched out front out of sight on los video monitor. She did some good howling but really wasn't too worked up and ended up laying down. So the next time we drove out, and again out of sight watched her. In less then 5 minutes she was laying down and we went to dinner, she was fine. I left her again today to take lo to music class and she did great. Hoping it stays like this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-920874 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 21:04:13 +0000 LovelyPlum 920874@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our dog did that...she would pull things into the crate, and she would destroy them, too. She did outgrow it a bit, but we also did some things to help her. We leave classical music on when we leave, and we bought a Thundershirt. The Thundershirt was a game changer for us...it helps takes the edge off for her. Now, two and a half years later, we don't have to crate her anymore, though we sometimes have setbacks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-920868 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 20:58:25 +0000 JamieLee 920868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our dog chewed up his bed one night in his crate and was up to his eyeballs in fluff the next morning. I don't think that it was separation anxiety. I'm more prone to think it was boredom, like @MrsCB mentioned. He grew out of it eventually, and is now 6 and hasn't used a crate in years, and hasn't destroyed anything in even longer. He's such a good boy now. We did take him to puppy school, and stuck with the crate for a long time until we were sure he was ready. We did little trials for short amounts of time and it turned out great. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-920277 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 16:09:03 +0000 Rescuemom10 920277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We rescued an Aussie who was about a year old when we got her. She was the same way. It was horrible and it took time. We took everything out and then every now and again would try a crate pad or bed to see if she was "ready" for one and if she would tear it up again. It was def well over a year before she stopped shredding them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-920271 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 16:06:47 +0000 mrs. 64 920271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh boy! Looks like when we got our pup. She also was able to get out of the crate with numerous locks/zip ties. When we finally solved that problem, she was able to move the crate 8 feet across the room and damage walls and furniture from inside the crate. Honestly, she was worse in the crate than out of it. Our dog did grow out of the destructive phase, but it coincided with a time when she got really sick. She's better now physically and we don't crate her at all. Sorry that's not any advice, but it means that a dog won't necessarily do that forever.</p> <p>Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-920241 Wed, 10 Jul 2013 15:55:58 +0000 Happygal 920241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has this gotten better?</p> <p>I worked with my last dog in very short phases. We're talking leaving for five minutes, then coming back in, and building from there. It helped to establish a routine and be very calm about it all. I put her in there with an old blanket and a treat, then left without talking, returned and put my keys away, trying to ignore her for a few minutes, then let her out and walked directly to go outside without talking and any excitement. It got better! Oh, and running a fan seems to help as well. Blocks out noises so they can just relax. My German Shepherd takes her job to protect the home very seriously, so it would be stressful to hear something and then be in her crate, unable to do anything about it. </p> <p>A friend had a dog who hated the crate, but when they switched to the airplane style, he liked it. Cozier and more den like, I suppose! Might be worth a shot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903983 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 12:23:45 +0000 daniellemybelle 903983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we were first crate training our dog, we only put old towels in there. Even now we just have a blanket in there - no bed - because he will tear it up.</p> <p>The turning point for us with crate training was when we started giving him really "high value" treats to go in there. We would save the awesome treats for crate time only - he got them when he went in, as well as when he came out and did "Sit." He doesn't love when we leave now, but he goes in and lays down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903673 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:25:25 +0000 MrsBrewer 903673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, our dog never did that when we had him in the kennel (thank goodness. knock on wood!) but if he's bored when we are home, he destroys stuff.</p> <p>My only advice would be to get a Kong toy and stuff it for him! food seems to always keep puppies occupied! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903670 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:24:58 +0000 kiddosc 903670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I first got my dog I had a wire crate like that one and she TORE it up! She eventually bent the latch and got herself out one day. After I switched to one of the plastic airline type crates and we never had another problem. I've read that dogs prefer this more enclosed type of crate because it's more den-like. Plus there's no bottom to tear up.<br /> <a href="http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13130851&#038;f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo" rel="nofollow">http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13130851&#038;f=PAD%2FpsNotAvailInUS%2FNo</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903648 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:20:13 +0000 Shutterbug 903648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Haha aww puppy! Good thing she's cute! I agree that part of it is probably the lack of exercise right now. Another thing I've heard a lot is to put a towel or something over the top of the crate so that it feels like more of a cubby/cave. It supposedly makes them feel more secure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903624 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:14:09 +0000 ShootingStar 903624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I rescued my dog when she was estimated to be around 2. She still occasionally chewed on things, like her bed, when she was alone or bored. Usually not total destruction though. After a while she grew out of it, maybe another year later? My parents got a puppy and the puppy did this exact thing (a tiny little 8 pound thing). They mentioned it to the vet and the vet was like "of course he did."</p> <p>If she really has a problem with separation anxiety, it would be best to leave her with something to keep her attention, and then go out for just a short time, maybe 5 minutes. Make the times longer and longer and do it regularly. I had tons of food toys and would always give my dog her breakfast in one when I left for work. She would be so busy with her food she wouldn't care that I left. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903619 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:12:22 +0000 heffalump 903619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I think that's part of the problem. She is going through heartworm treatment so she's allowed no exercise. Only to go out, pee, and come right back in. Hopefully it will get better once that's over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903611 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:11:15 +0000 bunnylove08 903611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our dog did the same thing. We ended up putting towels in there. we got a hollow marrow bone, and put peanut butter and kibble in it and gave it to my dog before we left. We would also say Buddy into your room and he would walk in lay down we give him the bone and closed the door and walked out. He would happily work on getting the peanut butter out of the bone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903608 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:10:49 +0000 Foodnerd81 903608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: Oh I just saw she can't be active because of the heartworm stuff-- I bet that's part of the problem. If she can't run around and get her energy out, she is more likely to be crazed while she is home alone. Hopefully once she can burn off all that energy she will calm down. Poor pup and poor you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903603 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:09:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 903603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whoa! That is some destruction!<br /> My dog was a little older when we got him (around a year) but he was crate trained, so we kept him in the crate when we went out and at night in the beginning. He never destroyed things like that, but he would cry when we left for the first few weeks-- like we could hear him crying from outside the building. He got over it once he realized we were always coming back. He never cried in there at night, when we were home but in the other room. </p> <p>I would leave him with just the big kong with PB like @MrsCB: suggests and no bed or anything soft. Hopefully that will limit the destruction, though I see he even managed to break the plastic. And if you can, get him really, really tired before you leave, long walk, dog park, running around, everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903592 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:07:19 +0000 heffalump 903592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: they think she's around one. Other people suggested leaving nothing in the crate too.... But she tore up the actual bottom of the crate. Not sure how to prevent that. I'll try the frozen treat trick though.... She actually needs to gain.</p> <p>@BoogieBea: that's what I wanted to hear... That it's just a phase. It just sucks extra because she's going through heartworm treatment so she's not supposed to be active or it could kill her :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903573 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:03:23 +0000 BoogieBea 903573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh boy! Maybe she just needs to get used to her new environment? My dog had separation anxiety too in the beginning. I started leaving toys with treats stuck inside to help keep him busy. That helped. Eventually, he just got used to it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903562 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 11:01:54 +0000 ShootingStar 903562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She's a puppy right? I think that's pretty typical behavior for the first couple years - leave them with something they can tear up and chew on and they will, especially if bored. Next time just put her in without a bed and with a big kong of frozen peanut butter. (just make sure to adjust the rest of her food so she doesn't gain a ton of weight). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/leaving-your-dog-home-alone-for-the-first-time#post-903552 Wed, 03 Jul 2013 10:58:35 +0000 heffalump 903552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm no stranger to separation anxiety. My last dog went crazy when we left him. Tore up the house and anything left out. We tried everything.... And ended up with Prozac. It helped some, but not completely.</p> <p>Today I left our new pup home alone for the first time. We put her in a crate by recommendation of the rescue shelter... They said shed feel more secure since she's in an unfamiliar home. She was in a crate for night and naps at the shelter, so we thought shed be used to it. Boy were we wrong. She tore apart the crate and everything in it. </p> <p>So my question.... Have people had this in the beginning and then the dog gets more comfortable and calms down more when you leave? Or am I just meant to have a dog with separation anxiety all the time?</p> <p>here is a before and after picture. </p> [attach=1561/13/mpdb1o.338x600.IMAG0389.jpg] [attach=1561/13/mpdb1r.338x600.IMAG0390.jpg]