loyalty - Page 1

Hey guys, I have a question about my 1 year old GSD. I've raised her from a puppy, and she's always by my side. I take her anywhere, and everywhere that I can and socialize her with plenty of dogs and people. She used to have some seperation anxiety (one time she ate her crate while I was gone), but the destruction has gotten a lot better.

However, lately she's been getting extremely attached to me. I take her to work with me (I'm a vet tech), and let her play in our dog daycare, which she used to LOVE. But now, she's super stressed when I leave her, to the point she won't play with the other dogs because she's pacing the fence looking for me. She has started to jump the dog daycare fence to get to me if I walk outside. If I go into the dog daycare and play with all of the dogs, she will loosen up and begin to play. I want her to be able to enjoy things like this again, without stressing over me not being there. If I leave her at home and come home (whether it be an hour or 8 hours), she will start whining when she sees me and urinate everywhere. She has also started to get extrememly jealous, not allowing our other dog, or any other dog for that matter, get near me.

Please let me know what I can do to ease this seperation anxiety and jealousy. I love the fact that she's attached to me and is protective over me, but I do want her to be able to relax and enjoy playtime too.

Thanks guys!

Mac,
Part of your socializing should have included leaving the dog by itself for short periods then longer over time.
You created the current situation and now you should work towards correcting it gradually.
You'll need a containment that is safe for the dog and cannot be escaped or destroyed and some tough love.
I suggest a strong kennel over a crate at this stage.
Also someone else to spend time with the dog who can act as a surrogate in your place.
I would not take the dog to work where the dog mixes with other dogs period.
Your other dog is fine but supervise them, do not leave them together alone.
Not knowing what breed your other dog is, but no matter.
My guess is this won't be pretty or happen quickly.

Moons.

I have a 7 yr, 2 yr, and 14 wk old GSD's.. and I'm in the same profession as you.  I also take my pup to work with me... but not every day.  And the same went for the other two dogs.  One thing about my situation that is different is that my husband is home during the day, so we take turns with the pup. 

However, when he's with me... and I am busy working... the pup is in his kennel.  I just have the advantage to let him out more.  And he gets to socialize with other pets during the day for a few minutes at a time. 

Our two year old was raised this way too.  And she is much more attached to my husband.  To the point that on my days off... if he leaves or goes outside w/o her... she nags me to no end!  Whining the entire time he is gone.  I generally have to let her out... tell her Dad's not here... and then she comes back in after she has thoroughly inspected (to make sure I'm not lying..lol) and stands on edge until he returns.  If he (my husband)... so much as leans over to put on his shoes... she is in complete and utter excitement to go and do whatever it is he is doing...

Our 7 year old is a laid back SL dog... and is content... .though very loyal to my hub as well. 

The two younger dogs are working line... and have alot more energy/drive... and need to be doing something all the time... and I think that can add to their "discontent" ... which is why the two of them have both started Schutzhund training this week so they have some more direction/outlet. 

Being in the profession you are... you get to give alot of great advice to people... not so easy when you have to perform it yourself huh? (lol... not for me either!!)  But don't foster her fears... don't console her.  She's your baby... its hard to ignore her... and I dont know if you are approaching her with excitement which is making her urinate.  Or if you are stressed leaving her with the other dogs and she is feeding off of that??? Hard to tell... only you know!

Maybe you could have someone you trust/she likes walk her for you... you know the saying... A tired dog is a good dog. 

I wish you luck!

Absolutely do not feed her fears, is your best advice. Comings and goings should be done without fanfare. Don't say good-bye or hello to the dog! Perhaps try to desensitize her with this. Have hubby or yourself leave, come back, leave, come back, etc. without paying any attention to the dog. Dog is still young, so you don't want this unwanted, behavior to become ingrained any more than it has. 

Only when she behaves herself with appropriate manners, then acknowledge and praise her.  

If you know she is looking for you to jump the fence, you need to stop her before it gets to that point. Look for her, tell her NO, or STAY or some command she understands. Let her know you are still calling the shots, from anywhere you may be.

The jealousy thing means you need to let her know her boundaries, she is claiming you as hers, and she shouldn't be allowed that decision.

Is she close to coming into heat?

Golden Rule;

Whenever you've been away from her you wait ten minutes after your return before you fuss her.

Coming down first thing in the morning, ignore her for 10mins, or leave her in the crate until she is calm, let her out ignore her then fuss.
Coming home from work, or having been out with friends, even outside washing the car... its ten minutes on every return.

This isn't loyalty, its separation anxiety, and caused more than likely by YOU. Dogs are generally born perfect then gradually ruined by loving owners.
Often made worse by the hormonal fluctuations in females.

Good luck

Ronin

"Dogs are generally born perfect then gradually ruined by loving owners."

Couldn't disagree more.   Surely you jest?

Thanks for the responses guys!
Two moons: I did leave her in the crate a lot when she was a pup, and she still stays in her crate when I'm in class or at work (if I don't bring her). I tend to bring her to work because I work 12 hour shifts, and don't like the thought of her being in her crate that long. The other dog is my boyfriend's Vizsla, he's 2.

Amy: In the kennel at work, she'll scream and jump like a bansee, which she doesn't do without my according to my coworkers. In dog daycare, I work it occasionally and love it, so I'm not stressed leaving her there. As for the urinating, when I come home, I try not to acknowledge her. No eye contact, no talking, no touching, etc. Still, she just comes up to my feet whining and urinates.

Bee: Yes, I don't say goodbye or hello. I put her in her crate for short periods of time throughout the day when I'm home, and she'll whine and I keep her there until she stops, then get her back out.

Dog1: No, she's not in heat. She had her first cycle about 2 months ago.

Ronin: Yes, I'm afraid that I've somehow created this situation, even though I read up on seperation anxiety and tried my best to avoid creating it.

Red Sable: I agree, I don't think that dogs are perfect and ruined by owners. Dogs aren't perfect, and believe me neither are owners.

Mac,
yes twelve hours is way too long in a crate.
If you can't have a kennel at home I don't know what to tell you.
Crates are too confining for long stays.

As for doggy daycare, I think it's a perfect place for the transmission of any number of problems internal and external.
Not a healthy environment in my opinion.

At a year she is still a puppy in many ways, you can change this behavior.

Sometimes, at least in my opinion people choose the wrong breed for their lifestyles.

Seems like your biggest problem was doggy daycare, your own kennel would cure that.

Separation is something she can adapt to and over come with practice.

Jealously is up to you, how you treat her in the presence of another dog.

The urinating might simply mean she's full and needs to go before the excitement begins.

You have to change your routine that's a fact, do it gradually but firmly.

She will mellow some with age, but will always crave activity and attention.

Moons.

Macrowe1,

You said you researched separation anxiety prevention, so maybe you saw this link I am providing. I thought it had some great information and advice. Hopefully there is something that you will find helpful, that you can relate to with your dog. I only have had male dogs, so the hormonal issue I have only read about. This article also deals with a dog that has already shown symptoms of separation anxiety, like yours.

Seems this issue is being discussed on this site, lately, and maybe other's will find it useful besides yourself...

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/SeparationAnxiety.php

If you keep coming up with a "blank" on what or how to work on changes with your dog, so they are okay with being alone, you might consider contacting a professional in your area to get you and your dog moving in the right direction. I do think if you do not make some changes, your dog can get much, much worse.

My personal feeling is the fence running also needs to stop, pronto. You need to command her to STOP, every time she starts, and redirect her activity to something approved. This activity can become its own OCD type of problem. Same with barking, she needs to be taught to understand, QUIET or STOP. I have a feeling you need to provide more leadership for your dog, with the prevailing theory, that they must "earn what they want". Meaning do not give attention or food, etc., just for being cute.

Good luck with addressing this issue, you need to start a new approach.... immediately, if it were me.