Graduating from the crate

I have been trying to crate-train Ellie for a number of months now, ever since I realized that she was slightly destructive when left to her own devices. If allowed, she would get onto the furniture (where she's not allowed) or scratch at any closed doors, including the front door.

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!

Wordless Wednesday - Beeps Stress Me Out

Ellie: Sometimes the TV box beeps. It makes me scared. Sometimes it beeps a lot in a row and it REALLY stresses me out.

I climb onto mom's lap

I start to pant when I get stressed.

Mom says she is going to trade in the TV box for a new one that doesn't beep.

Beeps are scary

Hey guys, it's Ellie. So last night when mom went to her exercise class, I stayed home. I usually have no problem because she's only gone for an hour so I just sleep the whole time. But this time was not so good...

There is a box by the TV that beeps sometimes. Whenever it does, I get really scared and nervous and anxious! It makes me start to pant, and want mom to cuddle me and make it stop.

Mom was not there, so first I tried scratching at the front door to see if I could open it. Then I went to the bathroom door and the bedroom doors and scratched at those. (mom keeps them shut so that I can't get on the bed)
I couldn't open those either, so I tried go outside on the balcony. Mom had the baby gate up (doesn't want me gettin on the couch) so first I knocked that down. The door to the balcony was open, but not the screen door so I started scratching at the screen. I scratched and scratched and scratched until it opened and I went outside!

I put my paws up on the rail to see if anyone could rescue me. Then I spotted my friend Goldie across the way! She lives in my building and our balconies face each other.
I whined and barked to try to tell her to send help, but I don't think she understood.

Luckily, mom came home soon after that.

This is me looking out

Goldie looking across the way at me

Mom found out everything I did because I was still outside when she got home to find the broken screen door and paint chippings on the ground by all of the closed doors.
I got in big trouble.