I started fostering a black Lab/Boxer/Pit Bull mix 3 weeks ago. I believe she has separation anxiety which has been causing me anxiety throughout my day at work. She can tell when I'm getting ready for work and she follows me from room to room and when I'm just sitting watching TV she makes sure she is right next to me or on top of me.
I've tried to make it less noticeable when I'm getting ready to leave for work by waiting until I have her locked in the bedroom before putting my shoes and coat on. But she's a pretty smart dog and she knows when I'm about to leave and she tries her very best to not go into the bedroom. I leave the TV on for her and a sound maker. She cries for a while and eventually gives up, but lately her crying has been louder and lasting longer. Since I got her 3 weeks ago, almost every day I have come home to poop on the floor in the bedroom. The other day she had pooped in the bedroom before I ever walked out the door to head to work and this was 10 minutes after I had let her outside.
How do I help her be less stressed when I leave for work and how do I get her to stop pooping in the bedroom? She is 5 years old. She was used as bait in a dog fight with 5 other dogs. She never has accidents in the house when I am home and she is very well trained, minus her accidents while I am gone. Thank you.
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Maybe she needs to be kenneled or have anther puppy for a friend?
Make sure you feed the dog at the same time every day. Take the food away between meals. Extra food may cause an accident
Make sure you take the dog out at the same time every day as well.
All accidents must be thoroughly cleaned up so that the territory is not marked.
If you catch your dog in the act,
immediately clap your hands to startle him. It does no good to do this after the fact.
How sad to know that a dog has been abused and then have to feel that you must punish them to correct a fear that probably came from that abuse.
My son had to take his days off to try and correct a similar problem.
This solution will only work if you have a baby monitor with intercom.
Be sure your dog has already been outside before doing this.
Ask a friend to help if necessary act like you are leaving (out the door) but someone has to stay behind to watch the video and use the intercom to tell the dog NO or clap your hands if they start to squat to poop. Maybe it will startle the dog and get their mind off pooping.
This may take a few times but I have seen it work.
Leaving and returning should be very low key and maybe leave some of your old clothing for the dog to snuggle in, or leave the radio or TV on for a while.
Does the dog have another room to stay in? Maybe that might help.
Hope something helps this beautiful pup.
I have read that dogs and cats sometimes poop in the house to tell you how to find them when you are gone. They don't know if you are coming back and that's their only way of helping you. My neighbors cat started pooping on her son's pillow when he went away to college and stopped when he came home for Thanksgiving.
Honestly your best bet is to get rid of the dog. Unless you have days and weeks to spend solely on care/training, its not worth the aggravation to you. Changing your schedule for a week or two to break bad habits is one thing, but NEVER change your life for a pet. Especially a rescue dog. Sure you feel better for not getting one from a breeder( several family breed gun+show dogs) who is knowledgeable and well adjusted, but when adopting your not buying a dog your also buying all of its baggage.
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