severedanomaly
07-10-2007, 01:16 AM
I got a new Sheltie puppy about a month ago, and was dismayed to learn that, at a mere 4 months of age, he has separation anxiety and is so scared that I can't train him or even touch him without him cowering and/or running away from me. I've never hit him and the breeder I bought him from is very good and hasn't had such problems with any of her other dogs.
My home is quiet, two adults, no children and 3 cats that aren't upset by the dog, no loud and scary noises save for the vacuum cleaner. He will not go out and eliminate unless I am there with him, and I have to take him far away from the quiet road we live on because if a car drives by, he panics and runs to the door. He has huge panic attacks if I tie him out, so bad that the neighbors hate it when I leave him out because he is so noisy; the longest I've left him out for is three hours and according to the neighbors he never stopped moaning.
I tried crating him and walking away and he starts howling the moment he can't see me anymore and doesn't stop until I reappear. I lost my temper tonight with him and yelled at him, which I know was counter-productive. I need help. My last dog was super sweet and friendly, so I don't know how to address this problem. I've tried the basic steps and they aren't working at all. I don't want to give him back to the breeder, but I'm at my wit's end. What do I do?!
My home is quiet, two adults, no children and 3 cats that aren't upset by the dog, no loud and scary noises save for the vacuum cleaner. He will not go out and eliminate unless I am there with him, and I have to take him far away from the quiet road we live on because if a car drives by, he panics and runs to the door. He has huge panic attacks if I tie him out, so bad that the neighbors hate it when I leave him out because he is so noisy; the longest I've left him out for is three hours and according to the neighbors he never stopped moaning.
I tried crating him and walking away and he starts howling the moment he can't see me anymore and doesn't stop until I reappear. I lost my temper tonight with him and yelled at him, which I know was counter-productive. I need help. My last dog was super sweet and friendly, so I don't know how to address this problem. I've tried the basic steps and they aren't working at all. I don't want to give him back to the breeder, but I'm at my wit's end. What do I do?!