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New from NY and i need help!

748 views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  pigeonsheep 
#1 ·
It has been quite a while since I owned a chihuahua. Recently (four days ago) we took a long haired chihuahua from a family that had purchased him and decided they couldn't handle another dog. he is 5 months old. They told us that he is crated at night to sleep. We work and the dog is alone from 8:30 am to noon. then from 1pm to 2:30.

I go check on him at lunch time. All weekend, he was fine hanging out with us and sleeping in his crate at night. then monday came. we felt that since he is in his crate at night, it would be cruel to keep him in there all day too. So i gated him into a small section of our living room. HE HATES IT. I leave him to go to work and he is beside himself, so much so that he vomits. He pees all over and he poos on a blanket I left out.

I leave his crate door open but he doesnt seem to go in there.

I cant bear leaving him hysterical for another day.

So i was wondering: Do we stop crating him at night while we are all home and crate him during the day? ANY advice would be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
Ai ai aiiiii, sound like he has death anxiety when you are gone :( I really don*t know...maybe have him in a bit bigger crate then he sleeps in, during the day? In that way he can lay in there and feel safe, and still have som place to move...I really don*t know...but I bet someone here has great advice for you XOXO
P.s...maybe you can also buy some relaxing herb mixture for him to try? Mixed in with his breakfast...just as a transition to learning to be home alone :)
 
#4 ·
Have you tried playing soothing music while you're gone for him. I would not leave him in the crate any more than you have to while you're home. Unless you are sure he wouldn't get into anything while you are gone, I wouldn't leave him gated. I know some here use a playpen, but IMO the crate sounds like the safest place for him at this time. I would leave the crate door open at night.
 
#5 ·
If he is used to his crate he will view it as his safe den, his haven. He might be much calmer if left in his crate, even if just a short term measure while he settles in.
He has been through a lot of change and it has only been 4 days.
I would walk him before you leave so he is physically tired, and then pop him n his crate with some safe chew toys.
Leave the TV or radio on, and don't make a fuss about leaving.
He might need training to be left alone, or he might just be insecure because he is in a new home, but for now he will be safest in his crate.
 
#6 ·
I agree that a playpen might be a good idea. He's probably used to being crated all the time and is anxious about not being in his safe spot when no one is around. If you do this, try to work up his tolerance to it by leaving him for 10 minutes and slowly lengthen the time he's left in there if possible. New things can be scary!
 
#7 ·
thank you. i leave the TV on for him. I try to tire him out before i leave. I will try the crate during the day and i will leave his crate door open for him at night and see how that goes. I feel bad for him. He has been through a lot.
 
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