Boxer Separation Anxiety

Question
Dear Jannie,
My Aunt gave me your name and where to reach you. She said you have helped them immensely with their boxers.  

We have a Boxer mix named Marahzzi.  We adopted her from the SPCA in March.  From the SPCA records and what the vet told us, we estimate she is about 14 mo old.  We are having a lot of issues with separation anxiety.  She is very destructive if left alone even for an hour by herself.  This is not just the normal chewed up shoe or clothing artical accidentally left out.  We left her penned in the bathroom for an hour and when we came back she had managed to pull a piece of the laminate shower wall off. It was in 15 different pieces. We have since obtained a crate and she seems to do well in it, but we would eventually like to be able to let her roam the house while we're gone.  Do you have any suggestions for separation anxiety such as this?

Many thanks!

Marcy

Answer
Yes, there is a simple solution, but requires diligence and patience-- you must be consistent.

Separation anxiety is the fear of you not returning, and has to be released somehow, therefore, the destruction. It is not something she wants to do, but cannot figure out how to release the pent up emotions and energy related to the anxiety fear.

Put her in a room that you have puppy-proofed as like child-proofed with her toys, food and water.

Leave for 5 minutes. Even if it is outside in the yard where she cannot see you.

Come back in, let her out, praise her, love on her, and give her a special treat. Buy treats that she has not had before and save those just for this occasion in training.

Continue to do this adding a few minutes each time. Don't forget the praise, the treat, and the love. Use an upbeat happy voice.

Then, let her loose in the house, providing her toys and food and water.

Leave and stay out of her sight even if it means drive around the block.

Come back, give her praise, the treat, and love.

Continue to do this adding time on how long you are gone.

Soon she will learn that you WILL return, and that she will be rewarded and get attention and love. That it is okay-- and a good thing.

Let me know how this is going in a few weeks.

Note: you might even try it in her crate as well so we can add that element into the mix.