messing anxiety issues

[Judy]

Do you cover the crate? Does she have a box inside the crate to curl up in? I always put a cardboard box on its side in the puppy crate to give them a secure cave in which to sleep, pups like chewing them up which is another stress reliever, I just keep an endless supply of boxes steadily increasing in size to match puppy growth, you would only need the one size obviously.
You might have to move the crate very very slowly a foot at a time over several weeks to get her used to being further from you at night, by the door, in the doorway, outside with the door open etc..

What do you do with her during the day? Is she crated or kennelled at all? Does she mess all the time whenever left during the day as well as at night?

Years ago I remember a friend saying she had ,coincidently, a Springer pup which used to stress, poop and generally wreck the joint when she went out to work in the afternoons, one day she left the kitchen door open by mistake, the dog was sound asleep on her bed when she got back and she never had any more issues with leaving him. Obviously not ideal, wet Spanner and bed, but I'm wondering if its confinement that's the problem. Obviously a tricky one to try and you'd have to be a bit careful where you let her roam to start with - not on cream carpets for example - but might be worth a try?

[99gems]

a little update to this....

so the young lady in question is having ALL her meals inside a kong , fed in her crate. Ive also been really strict with her in that she is not allowed to run off out of sight at all when outside, she is really biddable and stays close but previously i think allowing her some running around time with the others meant she could dart behind an outbuilding or bush and gulp something down. We are getting up at 6 to let her out every morning so an hour and a half earlier.... and she is managing overnight in the utility room, in her crate, with the other dogs!! It's been a week with no messes other than one accident when she was shut in and i was working with one of the others. She could hear me outside and despite having been out and been to the loo before, hearing me working one of the others was too much. Anyway, it's some progress! thank you everyone for the support and advice.

[CockerCanuck]

a little update to this....

so the young lady in question is having ALL her meals inside a kong , fed in her crate. Ive also been really strict with her in that she is not allowed to run off out of sight at all when outside, she is really biddable and stays close but previously i think allowing her some running around time with the others meant she could dart behind an outbuilding or bush and gulp something down. We are getting up at 6 to let her out every morning so an hour and a half earlier.... and she is managing overnight in the utility room, in her crate, with the other dogs!! It's been a week with no messes other than one accident when she was shut in and i was working with one of the others. She could hear me outside and despite having been out and been to the loo before, hearing me working one of the others was too much. Anyway, it's some progress! thank you everyone for the support and advice.

Very glad to hear this. It is certainly an unusual problem. I am sorry I could not have been more helpful. However, once you have the pattern that causes anxiety figured out progress is often quite quick. I think dogs prefer to be relaxed and if we can only offer them the opportunity they do try and help themselves. Congratulations on sticking with her!

[99gems]

thanks CC, honestly I have spoken to professional trainers about taking her on and once they delve into the actual issue they have said they are not sure what to offer other than a kennel life and re-homing. I couldnt part with her, no matter how much she drives me bonkers. Today we were all out at dusk , for a walk off lead on our own ground , in a field that borders dense pine woodland. There were pigeons going to roost continually flapping up a storm so talk about steadiness training.. she was first back off the whistle every time.

[munstyman]

I second CCs post , and glad you are making progress. It is always good to hear from those not willing to give up on a dog because its the easier option. I've found that the `difficult' dogs always end up being the most rewarding over time, even though at times it may not seem so. Its also nice to have a progress report, and what has worked or not, as we can all learn something from others successes or failures.

[Lynn]

I've found that the `difficult' dogs always end up being the most rewarding over time, even though at times it may not seem so.

Is this why we still have Munsters

[99gems]

Pleased to report I still haven't had to clean out her bed...

[newf]

Great news!

[CockerCanuck]

Good news indeed, this dog has me intrigued. I have several times helped people with dogs with anxiety issues which manifested as separation anxiety, nervousness and even aggression but this one is new to me. I was thinking about it and it is perfectly normal for most animals to empty their bowels and bladder when faced with extreme life-threatening terror. That would be considered normal behaviour. I wonder if whatever the brain to bowel connection that causes this is just stronger and more direct in this dog than most and the reaction is triggered by milder stresses that would more normally show up as trembling, whining or barking?

Sounds like you are on the right track with your two pronged approach in trying to keep both her gut and her mind calm. Please keep us informed how she is doing.

[99gems]

thanks CC - i spoke too soon today, but its just a blip! So she was out first thing, fed. Out for a good run and toilet at about half nine. Then she was put in her crate (beside my other bitch so not alone) with her kong as I went into the yard outside to jetwash. I had my wcs dog with me, just mooching about. When I went back in she was dirty. She isnt nervous or worried about noises so I almost sure this was down to me being on the other side of the door with one of the other dogs..