dscotland

We tried that, but she won't touch it. Even the things that get her jumping for joy, won't get touched when we leave them with her.

Thanks everyone! Really appreciating the feedback. To address the point about alone training, we actually have been practicing. I'll step outside for a minute, then come back in. Then I'll take the trash out and come back. Then the recycling. Then walk around the block. Unfortunately, she starts howling nearly instantly, except when it's just outside the door and back in (since she can see me). Would you recommend treats each time we reappear? Also, we tried to baby gate a section of the house and she just jumps over. Closing the door to a room resulted in her jumping up and down, scratching at the door.

Hi all, I feel like there are so many threads on separation anxiety already but the tricks I've read on others aren't working for us. We've been using a crate when we're away and each day it's taking her longer to settle in and sleep (we have a camera on her). Right now, we're at 2+ hrs before she settles and then it's only 30 mins of sleep before she's up and howling / clawing at crate. Here's a summary of her and what we've tried: 18-month-old female that never raced. Our first greyhound. Very timid but learning. Can do city walks without her freezing now. Tail now wags even. At home with us for over three weeks. Work 8 hr days but stagger our times so she's only alone for 6, max. Very bonded to us. Can't close the door to the bathroom without her clawing at it. Always in the same room with us. Highly-food motivated, except when in the crate. She'll refuse to eat anything. Even her favorites (peanut butter filled Kong). She's not all that into toys (2-5 mins a day playing with them) but still put a few in the crate for her. Placed a pillow we'd used for a long time in the crate with her, so she'd have our sent. Covered the crate with blankets (except front) to make it cave like. Play doggie relaxation videos (youtube) when we leave her in the crate. Crate is in a spare bedroom that looks at our entryway, so she can see us come and go. We have to forcibly put her in the crate (lures no longer work). When left to free roam alone (we walk around the block or go to store), she howls nonstop and won't ever sleep. It just feels like we're going backwards with her taking more and more time to settle in and now running away from the crate when it's time to leave (even after mixing up the morning routine). We've considered getting a second dog, but she's had no interest in the other dogs we've introduced her too - including other greys. Thoughts? David