Stress Panting

[Nik]

It seems that since we moved to Portland Diesel is now very weird about his crate. Anytime he goes in his crate and is locked in for any length of time (whether it is ten minutes or a couple hours makes no difference) he immediately begins to stress pant and stress yawn. By the time I let him out again he has a giant lake filling the bottom of his crate and has soaked his feet and chest. He doesn't bark or make a nuisance of himself but I am very concerned about how badly the crate seems to stress him out now.

If I leave food or treats in the crate he doesn't touch them. If I leave toys he ignores them and they get soaked along with everything else. If I don't close the door on him he will go in on command and start panting at just the idea of being in the crate. If I hang out and continue to not close it he eventually calms but if I make to touch the door at all he starts yawning and panting immediately.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get him used to the crate again or should I just give up on the crate and simply make sure he has a safe space to stay out and about (all the rooms closed off for example so there are no shoes to eat)? The last few times I had to go out and about I was so concerned about his stress levels that I did leave him out and just made sure there was nothing he could get into and he seemed fine when I got back and no sign of stress aside from being a little more clingy and cuddly than usual for a couple of hours.

 

[Nik]

It turns out I was wrong about the no destruction. I just discovered that when left unattended yesterday the dogs chewed off the ends of (wooden ends) of the pull strings for the blinds.

I guess it is back to the box anyways regardless of how stressed he is.

Boxergirl - Would you recommend antianxiety meds in a case like this? If so, I recall you had mentioned certain ones were bad and others were good.

 

[Boxergirl]

I assume this is the same crate he's always had? Have you tried moving it to another area of the house? Maybe there's something about where it's at that's making him anxious. Is he okay in it if the door is open? Have you put him in while you're there to see what he does? Do you have access to a camera so you can see how long he pants and if it stops at some point?

Before going to a prescription med, I would suggest really trying to figure out what's different that may be causing an issue where there wasn't one before. If Benadryl doesn't make him hyped up, you could definitely give him some just to take the edge off and see it if helps. After I see what your answers are above, I may have some other suggestions. I'm not saying meds wouldn't be beneficial, but they always require the training to go along with them, which I know you're more than willing and able to do. As for what not to use ... Acepromazine is on my no-no list for various reasons.

 

[glen]

I was going to suggest movint the crate to another area, is it too quiet maybe try leaving a radio on, my boys like there crates to be covered i use a thin black sheet and just leave the front open.
Gandalf always has to have his red kong with him and his pillow, if i shut the door without them he barks at me to remind me, hes a big baby lol

 

[DennasMom]

How was the move done?

I know our first dog LOVED his crate, and slept in it every night - with the door open - by choice. Until we stuffed him in it for a 6 hour airplane ride when we moved cross country (VA to WA). He decided he would rather spread out on a larger bed after that. We retired the crate to the garden shed for storage after that.

I'd go back to step-one of crate training - make sure it's in a relaxing location, and then give him a daily treat in the crate, even when you're home. One that can ONLY be enjoyed in the crate, even if the door is open. Sit on the floor outside the door while he enjoys the treat (good reading time), so he remembers how relaxing the crate can be.

Denna has as "woobie" - the baby blanket she came home with as a puppy. When she's in a new place and refuses to settle, giving her that blankie can help her relax. She has never destroyed the woobie, and it's been washed many times, but she still loves it.

 

[Nik]

I have an update on this. It turns out it is not the crate. He does it even if he is gated in a section of the house that I am not in. I was doing some mocking and gated the dogs on the other side of me so I could accomplish the chore without ending up wth paw print art all over my floor... I was maybe two minutes into the chore when I noticed the panting sound so I turned around and took a look and there is Diesel stress panting and a puddle starting to form under him.

Apparently this is a separation anxiety thing and it applies even if he knows I am home if he can't get to me.

If I had to guess I would say it is because we are still going through this moving process and Sean has been gone on his last round of packing for over a month. He comes home in a few days but then I will have to immediately fly out for work (just for a week though). Since we moved it seems like Sean typically gets back right in time for me to take off for work and then I get back and he has to leave for another load. My thoughts are this is pretty disruptive and stressful for Diesel. I just don't know what to do about it.

I spend 99% of my time with them. I leave for an hour for the gym 5 days a week and occasionally bar them from the room I am in if I am cleaning. But, mostly they have access to me all day every day. I spend a ton of time playing with them, talking to them, cuddling them etc.

 

[Nik]

I have an update on this. It turns out it is not the crate. He does it even if he is gated in a section of the house that I am not in. I was doing some mocking and gated the dogs on the other side of me so I could accomplish the chore without ending up wth paw print art all over my floor... I was maybe two minutes into the chore when I noticed the panting sound so I turned around and took a look and there is Diesel stress panting and a puddle starting to form under him.

Apparently this is a separation anxiety thing and it applies even if he knows I am home if he can't get to me.

If I had to guess I would say it is because we are still going through this moving process and Sean has been gone on his last round of packing for over a month. He comes home in a few days but then I will have to immediately fly out for work (just for a week though). Since we moved it seems like Sean typically gets back right in time for me to take off for work and then I get back and he has to leave for another load. My thoughts are this is pretty disruptive and stressful for Diesel. I just don't know what to do about it.

I spend 99% of my time with them. I leave for an hour for the gym 5 days a week and occasionally bar them from the room I am in if I am cleaning. But, mostly they have access to me all day every day. I spend a ton of time playing with them, talking to them, cuddling them etc.

Oh and I forgot to add the incident with the mopping I did have music on and they were in a different area of the house from where the crates are.

 

[Nik]

So I say to Diesel “Do you want to come with me to get the mail?” He squints up at me sleepily with a look I know means he does not want to move



“Are you sure?” I say as I walk to the door. He continues to give that look. So out I go without him. Five minute walk to the mail and back. I come back he is sitting in the middle of the room stress panting. Argh!!!!!

 

[Boxergirl]

Honestly? I'd take some video and pay for a consult with a certified behaviorist. I think it would be worth the consult fee. Do you have access to a camera for the house or can you use a laptop to video him while you're gone? That would help if you choose to do a consult.

 

[Boxergirl]

How many times can I use the word consult in one paragraph? Lol.