Expert: Angela Donald - 1/31/2011

Question
My husband is in the military and we have 2 children and 3 dogs,( 2 Boxers and a Toy Poodle). We have a female Boxer that is 8, a male Boxer that is 7 1/2 and the Poodle is a little over a year old. They all get a long super, we exercise the dogs on a regular basis and they all are crate trained. Just recently we have moved to a new state and my husband has been gone doing a lot of training preparing for a long deployment soon. Our male boxer has been showing signs of anxiety when I crate him. He will slobber excessively all over while I am gone, and will thrash around the crate so much that it actually unhinges. I do not have any trouble getting him into the crate when I leave, he will go when asked but I can tell he just is miserable and rather frantic when I am gone. This all started when my husband left for training about 2wks ago. The experience of my husband going away is not a new one for my animals, so I'm a little confused and really frightened for him. My husband will be in and out for training until the big deployment when he is gone for a long time. I do not crate the dogs long, just to run out to get groceries or basically no longer then a few hours. I have tried to crate him in with the Poodle but that just frightened the Poodle and I was concerned that he might hurt the little dog unintentionally.  Then I crated him in a big box with the female boxer but it has not resolved the problem at all. I have moved him closer to a window so he could look outside, but that caused barking. He is in a room with the other dogs and has never had any problem like this before. He is great when we are home and I really need to help him through this, my husband goes on a big deployment soon and will be gone pertinently for quite some time. Thanks for your time and all of your help, Jennifer

Answer
Hi Jennifer,

From the description you have given, the boxer has not settled into the new home yet, the move is most likely the cause of this anxiety and your husband leaving soon after. You should try to not make a big deal out of your comings and goings, also get him a Kong chew toy and fill it with peanut butter to help him relieve the anxiety of being crated for short periods of time, use the Kong only when crating as a special treat.This will become more of a treat than separation from you if you work it this way. Be sure its only for a few hours or less though. Daily walks with him at this time should also help relieve anxiety.I hope these tips help.Thank you very much for your question.

Angela Donald
Canine Behavior Consultant
Hi-Tower Boxers
http://www.hitowerboxers.com