Un-kennel training the 2 y.o. Husky-Pit

[PackMom]

We have a great Husky-Pit mix (Skye) that is obedient and is showing some promise in her agility work. Other than that, we've got two 6-month old pit pups that are kenneled when we're gone. We have an old dog with doggie-alzheimers who she grew up with who's also loose in the house. The deal is that I'd like Skye to be loose in the house while we're gone.She's great at making enough scary noises to deter any person outside the door who shouldn't be there, and I'd like her to be able to do that while we're gone. The problem is that she's got separation anxiety now and then and eats pens, tea-bags, and anything else that's remotely shreddable when we leave, on occasion. Any ideas, or is she stuck in the kennel whenever we leave for the rest of her life?

[George Bailey]

We have a great Husky-Pit mix (Skye) that is obedient and is showing some promise in her agility work. Other than that, we've got two 6-month old pit pups that are kenneled when we're gone. We have an old dog with doggie-alzheimers who she grew up with who's also loose in the house. The deal is that I'd like Skye to be loose in the house while we're gone.She's great at making enough scary noises to deter any person outside the door who shouldn't be there, and I'd like her to be able to do that while we're gone. The problem is that she's got separation anxiety now and then and eats pens, tea-bags, and anything else that's remotely shreddable when we leave, on occasion. Any ideas, or is she stuck in the kennel whenever we leave for the rest of her life?

Hi PackMom,

This will take some work, thought, and management on your part, but it's probably do-able.
I am personally paranoid about leaving dogs out that I'm not 100% sure are safe, too many things can go wrong, blockages, broken windows, etc., are a real problem or possibility with dogs who have not learned to control their emotions.

Have you read the information about conditioned relaxation?
I would crate this dog while I was home, so I could reinforce her for being apart from me as well as calm behavior in the crate. Not for hours on end, but for short periods, and quite variably.
You can work in cycles, increasing duration, on stays, which will effect how she deals with being alone/apart from you. If you teach the remote or stationary target, you can help her define space separately from you, and this will boost her confidence.
You can also build up the time she is left alone in the house as above, but you need to first make sure she's emotionally secure. I wouldn't do this without all of the above and more so that you can insure no accidents happen.
Keeping a training log would probably really benefit you both as this is something which will take time and you need to be aware of what level you are at and where you left off in your teaching.

Good luck,

George Bailey

[PackMom]

This is a lot to work on, but it's going to be worth it. It sounds like something that I should be starting with the puppies (both 6-month-old pitbulls) as well, but I wouldn't leave more than one dog loose at a time with this bunch.

Thank you so much for your help!
Lori