I adopted a 1 or 2 year old dog a month ago and a few weeks ago I started keeping her in a crate while I am gone during the day - because she was chewing and destoying thimgs around the house. I work from home - so I am around her almost 24/7 - unless I run out to do errands (3 hours max). The first few times in the crate were fine - but now she poops in her crate. She has access to outside all day - and normally goes to the bathroom outside - unless I put her in the crate. She is very well behaved otherwise. Is this separation anxiety ? What can I do to help this ?

Sounds like it could be separation anxiety.

Does she cry when she is in there or destroy her blankets or is it just the pooping?

She cries when I put her in. I don't know how long the crying lasts. And yes, she rips her blankets to shreds !

Yep, separation anxiety. My suggestion would be convincing her that the crate is a good place so she'd rather be there than on the floor.

Can you move next to her crate or move the crate next to your workspace? Laying beside you in her crate would be the fastest way to make her like it.

Feeding her in the crate is another instance when the crate becomes a good place.

It should also be the storage for her favorite toys.

How big is your dog and how big is the crate? Sometimes it can help if you can make the crate smaller. Should only be enough room for them to turn around and lay down. If the crate is too big they will designate a poop area.

Was he crate trained before you got him? Make sure to never use the crate as punishment. It can also help if you find a special toy or nyla bone, or kong filled treat that he will only get when he goes in the crate.

You can also try feeding him his meals in the crate as well, make sure to leave the door open for him, if he goes in there on his own, make a big deal out of it and reward with a small treat. This will help him associate the crate with good times.

You may have to remove the blankets from the crate if he is destroying them. What type of crate do you have now?

She is 10-13 pounds and her crate is 20" high 24" long and 17" wide. It is a metal folding crate. The lady I adopted her from (who saved her from the pound) said she was in the crate the whole time while she was up for adoption - and liked her crate fine. I contacted her first when rosie started with this problem. I don't know why she started to flip out in there :(

I only put her in the crate when I am leaving the house for a few hours. I have never had to punish her - she really is a very good girl.

Do you think she gets anxious when I leave because she got attached to me - since I have no idea what her life was like before I got her. Maybe it was really terrible and she is very happy here and gets scared when I leave that she will be alone or?? Again ?

OK - I pulled the crate into my office. Put her favorite toys and chew in there. She is laying here happy right now. How long should I keep her in there ? And maybe do it everyday so she likes it in there again ? Do I try walking out of the room for a bit ?

I didn't mention that I also have a 14 year old dog in the house who walks around free when I am gone.

OK - now she finished her chew and is crying to get out. :(

Now she is sitting calm again...

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Originally Posted by aresnik

now she is sitting calm again....

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Sounds like you're on the right track. Let her lay beside you all day while you work, feed her there, make it her safe happy place. While she's occupied with a toy, close the crate door and go get a drink or something else that takes less than five minutes(be sure to flush, haha) and come right back.

Work on it. Eventually she won't care if the door is closed or not. Then you can go out for several minutes, then an hour, etc. Take your time.

Try to encourage her to go in there and not closing the door. So giving her her treat or toy to chew on in there, but not closing the door.

It'll take some work, but you're on the right track.