Snapping and seperation anxiety

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a Husky Malamute cross (called Sky)4 months old. I take her for her main long walk each morning around 9am. We are out for an hour or so and I take her in the local woods where there is lots for her to experience.  She does not do toilet duties at all during this time. As soon as we return home, she goes into my garden and does her wee and poo.  I know being a puppy she will do her duties more often than once a day and I have trained her to go outside and do her duties there thoughout the day.  I have another dog who is now 8yrs old and this is how I trained him but as soon as I took him out to the woods he did his duties there and stopped doing them at home unless he was desperate.

Can you tell me why Sky is doing this and how can I get her to do her duties in the woods.

Thanks you.

ANSWER: Undoubtedly you started Sky in the garden and she has the fixed idea that is the proper place.  Some dogs, and perhaps more frequently females, get the idea one place is right and avoid using any other.  Males seem to like to leave theirs away from home.  All I can suggest is a longer walk in the woods until she can't hold it any longer.  When it happens, lavish praise on her.  Maybe after a few times, she will decide the woods is OK and do her duty there.  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am not doing too bad with the training of Sky but there are 4 areas I am really struggling with:-
1  eating her poo

2  doing the odd wee in the house, even when door to garden is open

3  when it comes to giving attention to Benson(my 8yrs old dog Colly cross Old English Sheep-very placid)or treats,  Sky snaps at Benson in an aggressive manner.  This is the only time she is aggressive with him.  At food time after the walk I feed Benson first making her sit and wait until he half way through and then I feed her.  She is now used to this and she does not try to snap at him while I prep and give him the food

4  possible seperation anxiety.  But I have often come and gone from the house of period between 30 mins and 6 hours.  I do not make any fuss when I leave and no fuss on my return.  Ive watched Cesar Milan lots of times so I know this is important.

I move everything out of the way.  She and Benson have access to hall, stairs and landing only.  Benson has never chewed but Sky has already chewed the bottom stairs carpet.  She wees and poos more often than not and she has chewed the stair spindle.

I work full time and so does my husband.  We work shifts so we do what we can to limit the time left alone.  I am trying to hide my anxiety because I do not want to project this on Sky, but I feel so upset and disappointed when I come home to more damage.  I have used a spray on the carpet, it is supposed to taste nasty, but it did not work.

Anything you can suggest would help.  Sky has a long walk every day, minimum 1 hour and on my days off up to 2 hours.  She runs free with all my friends dogs and goes swimming with Benson.  She always comes back when I call her and I treat her immediately she comes back.  I am told I should never let a husky dog off the lead.  Can you let me know what you think about this also.

Thank you very much

Answer
> 1  eating her poo

The best solution to stool eating, coprophagy, is cleaning them up before the dog has a chance. You can try food additives, the home remedies pineapple juice or canned pumpkin or the commercial products Forbid or Deter.

Why dogs do it is poorly understood. It may be diet related, but changing the dog's diet might cause worse problems. Whatever problems it causes for the owner, it doesn't seem to hurt the dog unless you are trying to clear up a worm infestation.

For more information see http://home.gci.net/~divs/behavior/coprophagia.html


> 2  doing the odd wee in the house, even when door to garden is open

This is tougher.  When you are around you need to keep a close eye on the dog. Use closed doors or gates to keep it in the same room as you are, and perhaps as I do, a short chain fastened to the computer desk. If you catch it in the act, give it a sharp ''Ah, ah, ah!'' and take it out. When you can't watch her, you may have to crate her.

It could also be a challenge to your leadership.  Having a good pack structure reduces such problems. The dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat.
> 3  when it comes to giving attention to Benson(my 8yrs old dog Colly cross
> Old English Sheep-very placid)or treats,  Sky snaps at Benson in an
> aggressive manner.  This is the only time she is aggressive with him.  At
> food time after the walk I feed Benson first making her sit and wait until he
> half way through and then I feed her.  She is now used to this and she does
> not try to snap at him while I prep and give him the food

Try doing the same thing, sitting while you give Benson attention first.  

> 4  possible seperation anxiety.  But I have often come and gone from the
> house of period between 30 mins and 6 hours.  I do not make any fuss when I
> leave and no fuss on my return.  Ive watched Cesar Milan lots of times so I
> know this is important.

I am not sure where that not fussing came from.  There is a lot of dog lore that somebody once decided it sounded good and has been done ever since.  I don't know in this case, but some of it is at odds with careful scientific studies.  It could be one more thing Milan is wrong about.  I always make sure the dog knows I an happy to be back with it and have never had separation anxiety problems.  One good way to keep a dog's attention away from your absense is a Kong, filled with peanut butter and frozen. It should keep her busy for at least an hour, and she may fall asleep after that.