[iptaylor]

The adult mixed white shepherd, Siberian Husky that we adopted in early 11/07 has never spent time alone. I need to start training her to do that. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[labman]

It is only natural that a dog resists its crate at first. What the dog
Wants more than anything else is to be others, you, anyone else in the
Household, and any other pets. In our modern society, even if we are home,
Other things distract us from the attention an uncrated dog must have. The
Only real solution is to crate the dog when you aren't around. The dog may be
Happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its
Den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
Its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them
Will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic
Ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. Metal ones can be put
In a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select
A crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave
Anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any
Bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work.
Start just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going
in. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at
Feeding time for more than one dog. Try just leaving it for short periods at first. I hate to see any dog left by itself more than 4-5 hours. If you can't make it back and can't find a neighbor or professional dog walker, look into doggy day care.

The "shut the puppy in a safe room" is a fallacy. Very few houses even have a
Safe room. How many of us have a room with a hard surfaced floor and nothing
Else? Most rooms have electrical cords to chew if nothing else. In addition
To destroying anything a bored puppy finds to chew, it may choke or have
Intestinal blockage from the pieces. I had a friend that left her dog in a
"safe" room. It ate a hole in the floor covering. The safe rooms fail to
Give the dog the comfort of the enclosed space their instinct requires. Nor
Do they restrict activity extending the time the dog can go without relieving
Itself.

[iptaylor]

Thanks for the prompt response! Just to clarify my question, this is a dog who is always with me; either at home or in the car waiting if I have an appointment (I'm unable to work for health reasons). Also, she isn't resistant to the crate and sleeps in it every night. However, I can foresee a need to leave her at home alone in the future and wonder how to build up to that in a way that doesn't induce anxiety. For example, I could crate her (always giving her a treat--she doesn't like toys) and leave for 15 minutes the first day, adding 5 minutes each day until she's comfortable for an hour. After that, I think she'll be able to handle 2 - 3 hours--it would never be longer. Does that make sense, or is there a better procedure you would recommend? Thanks for your help.

[labman]

That was about what I was suggesting.