New to Weim Addict - need some advise

Kristylm25

Hello Everyone,
I have a (almost) 2 year old blue male weimy and just got him a girlfriend. Her name is Sofie and she is 5 months old. We bought her from a pet store cause I absolutely fell in love with her and could NOT put her back in that cage!

I've had her for 2 weeks now, and she just started showing signs of separation anxiety. At first she loved her crate, but now when she goes in (with a treat) she turns in circles and whines! It lasts about 45 mins - an hour before I can't take it anymore and let her out. When she is outside with Scout (not for long periods of time maybe 30-45 mins at a time) she paces the back door. She will not play with Scout she just paces back and forth until we let her inside.

Does anyone have suggestions as to what I can do to help her be more relaxed without us near?

DanniGirl · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 2:39 am Post subject:

I don't know if this would work, but I remember reading a post on here, advising someone not to let there weim out of the crate because it teaches her she gets what she wants when she wines. Also, have you thought about toys...and keeping her favorites put away until you leave?

I don't know...I've never had a real problem with Danni and separation anxiety. Confused

Hopefully the experts will chime in...

anne · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

It sounds like you might have inadvertently trained her to be let out by whining. From her perspective, if I whine mom will let me out. If you tried to grit your teeth for 10 minutes and then gave in and let her out, then she has learned to out-stubborn you.

Candra's suggestion about the toys are good, only extra special toys in her crate, a peanut butter filled kong is usually a good one.

Read Ian Dunbar's free download and read the section on Alone Training.
http://www.jamesandkenneth.com/new_puppy.html
Being alone must be taught! Dogs do not naturally like being alone since they are pack animals.

Kristylm25 · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject: Thanks

Thanks for the replies and the website. We never had this issue with my other weim, so I wasn't sure what to do. I am going to try this tonight and see what happens.

Thanks Again.

Kristy

anne · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:

Just realized that the alone thing is mixed in with housetraining and chewtoy training. Also you might want to purchase "after you get your puppy" as it discusses alone training (he calls it settle and hush) a bit more.