Well, I finally realized that it was not the fact that she was left alone, but the beeping from the cable box that caused Ellie so much anxiety which lead to her destructive behaviors.A few months ago, I traded out the cable box and there have been no beeps and no anxious episodes since. And last week, I decided to give her another chance at being left alone without being confined to the crate.
I am pleased to report that she is doing famously! When I return home from being away, she sleepily trots to the door to greet me. In other words, she isn't waiting by the door panting from anxiety of being alone or scared. She is well-rested, and even ate any treats that I left (something she won't do when anxious)!
While I am still crating her at night so that she stays used to the concept, it is such a relief to know that I can leave her home alone and she can still stretch her legs and get water when she needs it!
Awesome! That is so great! And happy you finally found a cable box that didn't beep. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww this was a great post and so important. Sometimes, as in your case, there are bona fide reasons for the undesirable behavior. I am glad you found out what the catalyst was.
ReplyDeleteDakota was crated for about 2 years then suddenly, he refused to enter it any longer. We no longer make him use it but it was a Godsend in the early days with him!
That is nutty! That goodness you found the cause
ReplyDeleteBenny & Lily
Bella has a lot of trouble with beeping things too... when the batteries from the smoke detector get low or when the microwave reminder beeps, she hates it! I'm glad you figured out the problem!
ReplyDelete