I think you need to find a behaviorist DVM and ask about some anti-anxiety drugs. It sounds like this is a bigger problem than rescue remedy or DAP will/can address. Once he's feeling better, you can start re-training him. For crate issues, try the dvd Crate Games, but if he's crate phobic, you'll need the drugs BEFORE you start the training program. Otherwise, you may want to look into a doggie-daycare.
I think this is exactly right on… While ruling out the medical issues a behaviorist can begin to help with the behavior, especially if this has been going on for all this time....
I've got to ask, not for any other reason but I think it is good to know..can you retrain a dog that clearly seems to be this crate phobic? If he has been having issues with the crate for almost 5 years, is there anything else that could be used to contain him, but isn't a crate? I guess I am thinking about an exer-pen or the like..Would it work?
All depends on the dog…. some you can, some will never be OK in a crate... some might be OK sometimes, sometimes not....
Wow, kudos to you for working with your boy for all these years! I'm sure your patience has been tested so much, but don't give up! Many great suggestions have already been said, and I'm sure I'm repeating some, but I'll throw out my ideas too.
First rule out any medical issues. Like others mentioned, thyroid can cause behavioral issues. You'll need to run a full panel, not the in-house tests. They'll need to be sent to places like MSU or Antech. Also check with your vet and a behaviorist about anti-anxiety meds. This sounds a lot like some severe separation anxiety. A good behaviorist would be a nice consult anyways.
As far as some changes you can make around the house, I would try the DAP products that release a calming type chemical. This may not help as much, and you may need a stronger prescription type med like others mentioned, but it's at least worth a try. Also do you have room in your kitchen for a 4x4 X-pen? He might not have as much issues if he's got some room to move around, especially if part of his behavioral problem is crate phobia. Or at least he'll be less likely to mash his mess all over the floor with extra room. You'll need to get a top for the X-pen as I'm sure he'll figure how to get out easily, but once you put a top on it they're fairly sturdy. You can buy some cheap linoleum roll at places like Hope Depot that you can put down on top of your kitchen floor or any other surface where you need to put his crate/pen. That will keep him from destroying your "real" flooring at least. You can put a crate or half a crate in a pen as a den or bed, and you could even try putting in a litter box of sorts to see if he'd bother using it, since he tends to go to the bathroom. You can fill a big cat litterbox with shredded newspaper or wood pellets for a potty area.
Also try to put some interesting and time consuming treats in there to keep him busy. Frozen marrow bones, and kongs filled with stuff (dog biscuits, cream cheese, peanut butter, etc.) and you can freeze them too. Whatever you can find that will be safe for him to chew on and tasty.
Sometimes adding another dog can make all the difference in the world. With a buddy, he might be so much happier. HOWEVER, it sounds like you have less and less time these days so it might not be the wisest idea. If you do add another dog sometimes it's easier than one, but you have to be prepared for it to be even more work!
And of course exercise exercise exercise! I can't stress that enough. The more you can get Buddi tired, the better he will be. I know it's hard to find time with a busy work schedule, but try to sqeeze time in in the morning and night to walk him. Even better (and easier for you) would be biking him. It will tire him out quicker than just a stroll down the block. He might need to run for a few miles to work out some of that stress. And you could even look into something like weight pulling where he's going on walks with you but dragging a little weight as well which will wear him out. Also mental stimulation will help wear him out. Try to find an obedience or rally class to take him to between your busy schedule. Learn some training exercises you can do at home and work with him when you have a few minutes of downtime in the house. Also make him work for everything he gets. Like make him sit and do a few tricks before giving him his meals, etc. Not sure if you or your husband have any free time on the weekends, but you could look into trying some lure coursing with him if there's any in your area occasionally. That will certainly tucker him out! But unfortunately it's usually not a "regular" activity in most areas.
Everyone already had some great suggestions for re-crate training and making that a more positive experience, so I won't touch on that. Make sure though when you come home, that you don't make a fuss over him. Ignore him for a few minutes and then calmly greet him. I guess that's all I can think of for now.
Keep us posted, and we're all pulling for you and Buddi!
Kelli - good post. Ultimately what got Ruby past her SA was adding Brando. She is a retired show dog and had never been alone. In my case though I had the time and resources and always planned on adding a second B. I think all the posts here give some great ideas - I think the behaviorist will be key.
I agree, Kudos to the original poster for not throwing in the towel long ago. SA is such a tough issue especially when you are in the thick of it.
I am reluctant to even mention this suggestion because it is loaded, but our Ella was only briefly and unhappily crate trained and we just made the leap (over several days) of leaving her alone and free in the house. While her record has not been perfect, overall the change has been a huge improvement. She would rarely relax inside her crate but now that she has freedom inside the house I am pretty certain she spends 90% of her time alone curled up on her bed asleep. That is pretty much how I find her twice a day. We thought the problem was separation anxiety but it was crate anxiety. So we removed the crate. I am sure we will have regrets in the future that Ella cannot be easily placed in a crate, but on a daily basis I think it may be worth a try.
My experience with Ella is that her destructive behavior occurs when WE ARE HOME and not paying enough attention to her. When she is alone she rarely causes trouble. My friend's Basenjis are the same way and are also not crated. She is the one that gave us the inspiration that a Basenji could be trusted. Of course, we do our best to basenji-proof the house before we leave to take care of known trouble spots. And no "goodbyes" and explanations of comfort and concern. Just walk out the door as simply as possible.
I know this is the Basenji forum and not the Labrador forum but somebody had to suggest letting the dog free in the house.
My last 2 I left alone in the house all their life as they hated the crate. I never had a problem with them as there's a dog door to get out to the backyard. The tri I have now will without problem stay in a crate 10 hours. I'm lucky as he's a go with the flow type and doesn't make a fuss or sound. I only did that for the first month as I now leave him in the backyard with the crate back there with the door open in case he wants to sleep in there.
Basenjiprince i feel for you and your poor Basenji, i do hope you manage to resolve things.
We didnt use a crate with our Basenji, simply because we werent familiar with them. As bcraig says our Basenji slept while we were out and caused trouble when we were in and not paying enough attention. We will try a crate when we get her because i think they can be a good thing. However your Dog sounds realy distressed so it may be worth a try if you are brave enough, lol.
I have a dog that I've always left out (my exceptional Brindlewonderkid), but if you read the first post, the dog is distructive after getting out of the crate. My bet is that the dog has separation anxiety and if that's the case, there's a high chance the dog will be distructive perhaps to the point of hurting himself.
My girl is crate phobic and had bad separation anxiety - we gave up on the crate; started leaving her for a few minutes with run of the house, except bathroom and bedroom door closed - put the trash out of her reach, raised the venetian blinds, basically put everything up she could really damage, and little by little we have her now so we can leave her for a couple of hours, and she is fine. We run her first, and give her a busy bone to work on when we leave. Some dogs just cannot be crated. Mine's one. Five years though - that is a long long history of this behavior - best of luck to you - I think a professional trainer's advice is what you need.
Thank you all for the info and comments. I have tried to start some of them. I have been playing alot more outside with him and also making the crate a "good" place. any time he does something good or gets a treat it goes in the crate. ive also pulled the crate out of the bathroom while we are home so that he can explore and realize it is always out besides just when he has to go inside when we leave. he has done ALOT better. no chewing on the crate and only a little bit of pee. things are getting better… thank goodness!!!
Great stuff Melissa, sounds like things are improving.
Fantastic Melissa…it is so great that you really committed to helping him thru the problems. Please keep us posted. :):):)
Sounds like there is light at the end of the tunnel, great news. I am glad things are looking up. yes , please do keep us posted.
Hey Melissa, How did it go over the weekend? Did you get it to where the enclosed area can be his place while you are at work? I have had a B for 71/2 months now. They are unique on the one hand with some breed specifics, but a dog none the less. Any dog needs exercise and mental stimulation(esp B's! A tired Basenji is a Happy One!) and since they are social animals, they need companionship. It sounds like you are strapped financially like us all, but I can only offer you three alternatives: 1)doggy day care or a sitter, 2)another dog, 3)get him to a home where his needs will be met. It's not to be mean or belittle you, it is just that being fustrated is not healthy for you mentally or physically, nor your little boy.
