Severe Separation Anxiety in female 1 1/2yr

[alexondra]

I have jus adopted a female 59 lbs 1 1/2 yr old boxer/ridgeback mix. She was from a severely abusive home, was emaciated and beaten when she arrived at the shelter, also had a litter of pups. I adopted her 3 months after she arrived. She clings to us at home and is well behaved, however, we are crate training her and she screams, cries and barks and the neighbors are about to linch me. I put her on an anxiety medication but that does not seem to do much.
any suggestions?

[alexondra]

Thank you so much for your words of concern. She is really a good girl when we are home and she is  free to roam. We have another dog Huey who is 9, they playa and get along great. We rescued her in late March. she has done over $1200.00 damage or costs in daycare, training, dog walking, vet bills, etc.  Yikes!  I hope she slows down.ha!
We do feed her in there and she willingly goes in to eat.

Today, I did not hear her screaming in the crate as I left today.  Maybe we are turning the corner. I  do not have a yard, but we live in a wooded area. She is put out on a 60 foot line to roam the front and back of the house, in the garage etc. I have put her out there when we are home and she is as happy as a camper. Not a peep out of her.  Keep you posted.

[Misfits4Me]

Hello & welcome...You don't state how long you've had her, but I suspect she hasn't had time to understand what she's suppose to do. ...All she knows is the abuse and it was the hands of humans (I assume) that did it.
It will take time for her to trust you and realize that you mean her no harm...Maybe days, maybe months. The good news is, she will figure it out with time....
You saw a positive sign last night when she slept in her kennel with the door open. That's great news!!! Reward her positive behavior and remind her what a good girl she is when she does something you want her to.
Teach her that the kennel is a happy place to be....Maybe with treats or feed her in there. She will think positive of the crate because she likes the food. Leave the door to the crate open whenever you can..  I have found that covering 3 sides of the crate will calm a nervous dog. Kinda like a cave, I suppose!  You might try that, but make sure one side is left uncovered.
Again, this will take time and patience....But trust me, you will be rewarded immensely
with your loyal friend who will be thankful to be with you...There will be setbacks, but keep moving forward with comfort for her....She will realize that life is really good before long....Good luck and please keep us updated.....Karla

[alexondra]

Thank you for the advice. Yes, at first we tried that, however she destroyed three doors and a screen. I rent and now I have to replace all of that.  She is doing better in the kennel, last night she even went in on her own to sleep with the door open. I guess it is trial and error. I have been introduced to a behavioral therapist, we might try that route.
Thanks

[have 2 kids]

The kennel may be associated with some of the abuse she received.   We foster dogs and it can be a long hard battle when they are scared.   Have you tried leaving her in a smaller confined room when you are gone?  Perhaps gating off the kitchen, bathroom or laundry room.  Make sure there is nothing she can get at and try that for a short time.  If she does ok- gradually increase the time.