have you tried an exercise pen instead of a crate?
I was going to ask that question as well. When I got Ruby (she was a 2yo adult when she came to live here), she had separation anxiety when crated. Consequently, I set her up with an xpen (with a top) and her crate (with bedding) in the xpen. I'd leave a high value treat in her crate (marrow bones usually). When I would leave she wouldn't even notice because she was so enthralled with the bone and when I would come home from work I would always find her asleep in her crate. She was completely different with the xpen/crate setup than she was with the crate only setup. Ultimately, I added Brando (3yo when he joined the family) and once he arrived, Ruby no longer needed the xpen, she was fine in her crate.
When Aaliyah was added as a puppy, I did the same setup of xpen/crate (bedding in crate) and also put a litterbox in the xpen. It worked the same as it did with Ruby - I'd leave high value treats and would always come home to Liyah sleeping in her crate. I do attribute how good Liyah is in her crate now with her making the choice on her own to sleep in the crate as a baby.
I think it's the idea of confinement, not what she is confined in.. because what she is in now could be considered a x pen with how large it is, it's big enough for 3 Basenjis. I mean it takes up a better half of a kitchen. I'm doing an experiment at the moment. I'm going to try it tomorrow, and record it.. and I'll post pictures because it's a bit hilarious. I'll just keep experimenting. We'll try the DAP next if this fails. Perhaps then a proper x pen. and then if that fails, I'll just jump out the window. 
I have also tried the allure of a tasty meaty bone, she ignores it until I get back… EVEN if it's dabbed with peanut butter- her ULTIMATE love. :0/
She LOOKS serene and lovely, it's a lieeeeeeeeeeee. 
Maybe she's upset about all the changes, you being gone for months and that you may not come back again for months? So everytime you leave she's feeling "is she coming back"??
I'm sad to hear Lycia is having problems with being left alone.. 
She did very well here. She would whine a bit every 15 min (getting up from the couch, walking to the door, whining for a few seconds, back to the couch and sitting next to Tillo, 'sleeping' a bit etc). We wouldn't leave them alone for more than 3,5/4 hours, but still.. no problems with chewing etc. My advice: add a dog Maybe not even a puppy, but an adult dog who's comfortable being left alone. What I've noticed, is that she really looked up to Tillo, like a big 'brother' or her 'savier' It really helped her to see that Tillo was relaxed.
I hope you can figure it out and help her get over it. And if nothing works and you want to jump out of the window…..... Just remember you can always send her back to us :p Tillo still misses her!
You could try melatonin suppliments as well to help calm her when you leave.
You could try melatonin suppliments as well to help calm her when you leave.
I would consult a veterinarian before giving her melatonin.
Hi Schouiffy, So sorry that you are unable to go out even for groceries… internet shopping in the short term? And she does look very serene looking over Edinburgh... how pictures can lie!
My thoughts would be, yes the changes could have unsettled her and made it more difficult for her. However I am assuming that in the past there was no bad association with the crate or her being left and it sounds like she just doesn't want to be left alone / be shut in her crate rather than a specific issue associated with you leaving her/ being shut in the crate.
It may be of use to find a good veterinary behaviourist as whilst you work on these issues using DAP collar and an appropriate sedative could make life easier for you - the medication would not be a permanent 'fix' but just get her mind in a better place whilst you work on this.
Also if might be better if you tried a smaller crate? And I would be tempted to try with it completely covered - one she can't see a reaction from you - and dogs typically like small dark places.
Be it crate or car, I have worked on the theory that wherever I want my dog to settle I make it VERY comfy - just recently I had to transition from using crate in the car to back of car with guard as I got another dog - everyone laughed when they saw the 2 duvets folded in the back, but my little guy who had never slept in the car (because there were too much to see) now settles down to sleep, even with the additional distraction of another dog. I don't have my dogs up on the furniture (unless by invitation) so I would have the only soft bedding in the crate, and the crate would be sited in a good spot. I don't make a big thing out of going into the crate when I first got them, its the comfiest place they are allowed so they soon regard it as their bed.
When Tadgh was little I just bit my lip when I saw blankets/beds being chewed and shredded, but in fairness he never completely destroyed them and my attitude there were his bed so he was free to do what he wanted with them. I would suggest some cheapie fleece blankets which wouldn't be too hard to clear up, but she could make a nice nest in them.
Assuming Lycia is a good eater I would only feed her in the crate - eg pop her in the crate and give her the food do this for a few days so she knows the routine and then when she is doing this as normal, eg after a 10-14 days close the door. Don't make a big fuss about closing the door, just close it normally. If she kicks up a fuss - which I would expect her to do, open the door remove the food. It it is vital that you do not make eye contact with her, talk to her, just ignore her if she is kicking up fuss just remove the food quickly and put it out of sight. Once the food is out of the way, sit down as if the incident had never happened and if she comes up for a fuss, great give her some quiet attention. 30-60 mins later try again. If she does it again, remove it and then try again the following day.
As she knows that throwing these noisy and violent behaviours will get the crate open - and I don't blame you for her own safety as well as ensuring your neighbours don't get upset - you have to out-think her that by the crate door opening something that she likes will disappear too. I would expect her to starve herself for a couple of days, but if you keep going with this and giver her no reaction I would think that by day 3 she will have worked out that her antics are not getting her the desired result. If she does start to eat then as soon as she has finished open the door. But don't make a big fuss of her - its normal for dogs to eat in crates door open or door closed - and the end result is you want a dog that is happy and relaxed in or out of a crate. Just say what a clever girl she is and get on with whatever you were doing. She will then realise the 'power' the crate had is diminished. But it is important at this stage she is not left with the door shut and that these door shut times are frequent but very short 10 seconds - 2 minutes with her being sensible.
Again if she has a favourite toy or meaty bones, then try the same thing. Eg remove all her toys and she only get to play with her toys when she is her crate with the door shut - don't be surprised that she kicks up a fuss, merely quickly open the crate and remove the 'goody', again ignoring her completely.
If she loves going out for walks in time the 'game' can be extended so that she has to be in her crate before you will put the lead on. Again you'd start with the door open, but until she is her crate she doesn't get her lead on, when this is working well, then add the door closing as before.
Hope these might have given you some ideas to work with.
Jane
I find my most effective training takes place when I've done the thinking before I attempt it - eg what will I do if he does this... what will I do if he does that... my timing is then much better and I'm not caught trying to think how to handle something.
The other thing I would recommend is doing brain work with her - I've just started classes for the bronze KC with Tadgh - and I love the time after our class - even the following morning he is still mentally tired out!
Thanks for everyone's comments, especially that extensive one Jaycee (you had some ideas I hadn't thought of!), we will be on it if the different crate gets here. Yes, I have given up the open crate, I think it was a fools dream to think she would like it when she hated it as a puppy.
BUT AH HA!! I have found the temporary fix, oh yes indeed. I haven't had a minute to film but I have solved the chewing on the door. I have barricaded it with large plastic suitcases. Now, granted it's really odd to have company with large suitcases in front of the door, but I don't care cause she isn't eating the door and she isn't chewing on anything else in the house. I'm still not sure if she is howling the whole way through, but the last two times I have come home she hasn't been at the door immediately and she looked sleepy - VICTORY because my bed was warm, so she had to be laying on it for at least a good while to get it that hot. I'll film tomorrow to see if I have been proven right or not, because if she has begun to move into a acceptance place I'll leave suitcases in front of the door forever for her. 
Alas (and yay) the boyfriend is returning from a month away in Spain so I think we will have to start all over again, because now 2 PEOPLE WILL LEAVE (shriek, run and terror) and she'll be left… which I have a feeling she will take issue with, because obviously the BF and I are chasing birds, running in the sunshine and generally having soooo much fun whilst she is stuck at home
It's small, but I think I might have a crack, a tiny tiny way in... and if that doesn't work, I'll go and sell my soul for the super big travel crate which she prefers and start training from 0. ... yay.
oh the things we do for these monsters (she is a monster by the way as I'm pretty sure this this the worst most bitchy pre-heat season she has ever had)
Re bitchy pre-heat season - try 'Hormonise' from Animal Health. My bitches always have it in the couple of months leading up to the season and it helps no end. It's purely natural so has no adverse effect and originally developed for in-season mares.
I'm glad you're getting some way into resolving the problems. The suitcases sound a good idea. I don't know about you but my visitors have got used to finding odd solutions to 'Basenji work' when they call!!!!
Totally agree with Patty. Try Hormonise, also Stroppy Bitch is good too. I should know - Patty bred my 'stroppy bitch' 
Totally agree with Patty. Try Hormonise, also Stroppy Bitch is good too. I should know - Patty bred my 'stroppy bitch'
Well, I would try it, but they no longer ship to California…..:(
I think the main ingredient is Chasty Berry (?) maybe you could find a similar product. It really does work.
Oh yay! what lovely information to wake up too. I thought I was going mad at first since i haven't noticed her bleeding yet, but I will get right no that order. Thanks much!
