My Boston Terrier Has Separation Anxiety

Thursday, August 27, 2009 Posted by revalbertkang

Answer Given By Daddy Albert

Q: My Boston Terrier is ten months old and has mild separation anxiety. Whenever she is in her crate she cries and defecates. What should I do to calm her down?

A: Boston Terriers are very intelligent dogs. They love human companions. Most probably, when you first crated your BT, she suffered a phobia. Therefore, whenever you crate her, she expects a nasty experience.

There are a few things that you can do to help your BT.

1. Keep her occupied - give her something she loves to chew - long enough to last the duration that you are away.

2. Record your voice or video yourself talking to her. You can set the video player to replay the same video again and again until your return.

3. Tire her out by exercising her hard before you leave for a prolonged period of time. She will be too tired to whine.

4. Put her at the window so that she can see the world and streets.

5. Crate her and then disappear to another room for five minutes. Come back and do that a few times.

Do this regularly and prolong the time when she cannot see you. This will help her get used to being crated and having you disappeared for a period to time.

If taking your car keys is the signal of a panic attack, then shake your keys in her presence but do not leave.

All the actions and behaviors of leaving the house have to be acted out so as to get her to accept them as normal non-threatening behaviors.