Expert: Jannie Balliett - 4/2/2009

Question
Our boxer female is 7 months old. We've had her since January and she's wonderful!  The only problem we have is when she is in the crate.  At first she didn't mind it,but after about three weeks she started biting at the trim around the front (it is an airline aproved, plastic crate with the side and back windows)and the entire inside will be wet when we come back.  She also froths something terrible when in there if we are gone. She has never been a fan of the crate, I'm guessing because the previous owner gave her run of the house while she had her, including sleeping on the furniture an beds.  She's only in the crate while we have to be gone, the longest stretch being about 7 hours one, maybe two days a week.  We've tried changing the location, spraying bitter apple on the areas she chews, vinegar...nothing seems to help.  I am not comfortable leaving her in the open house during the day yet.  Is there anything else we can try?

Answer
Lynn, you have a serious problem.

She has separation anxiety and on top of that, used to being loose, not confined.

I don't blame her either.

7 hours is much too long.

Not only cruel to her, but 7 hours to a dog is like 7 days. Not hours.

She thinks she will be in there for days (because it seems that way) and knows she can't pee and poop, and has no room to move and do anything. She is young and needs to roam and be mobile and play and exercise.

It is like taking a 2 year old child and confining them in one very small room, restricting them from movement.

No difference.

You are going to have to make other arrangements.

Leaving her in a crate while you go out to eat or get groceries is okay, but all day while at work is cruel and decremental to her.

In order to get her over the separation anxiety, so she will settle down, put her in it with a Kong toy, and a Nyla bone, (No other kinds of toys as they are dangerous unsupervised) and be calm, and in a calm, soothing voice, tell her you will be back soon. Leave her sight and smell for 5-7 minutes and return to let her out.

Regardless of frothing or acting hyper, praise her, give her a treat, love her and play with her. Act proud of her. It is positive reinforcement.

Do this every day once or twice and increase the time a few minutes.

She will soon associate being in the crate is temporary and you will return and she'll get attention and a treat.

Now the arrangements for her while gone all day; maybe a bedroom that you can puppy proof and gate her in. Come back on breaks and lunch and check on her and let her go outside.

If you can not, make arrangements for friends or family to do it. If necessary, pay a dog sitter to come in and do this.

She can not hold her bladder and can not control her bowels for more than 4-5 hours safely.

She needs a dog sitter to care for her at least 3 times a day before you get home.

Either that or a doggie day care.

People should not get puppies and then crate them while at work. Often people don't think about it, but it is extremely important to be responsible and loving while caring for your family-mate-dog.

List your safe options to refine her to one area and doggie sitting, doggie day care, the like.

Good luck.