I posted a note on the behaviour problem site and will now try the same query here. My dog has developled a problem with chewing the doors into the house if she is shut out. NIkita is now over fuor years old and this is something new. The chewing can take place in our absence but it appears far worse when we are at home. Our house is rather large and it can be some time before we hear her doing her thing on the doors resulting in some really ugly damage.
Nikita has a pal at home as well in the form of a three year old Doberman Tikka. They are pals in the best of ways and everything they do (barring the door chewing) is a team effort, at times this can be the total demolition of their bed or any box from the garage that looks like it and its contents need spreading over the lawn and driveway....generally just dog fun when they may just be bored but acknowledged as not the thing to do as soon as either my wife or I appear on the scene.
Both have been for basic dog training and are fine with the day to day commands even without any from of reward other than verbal praise.
Nikita is devoted to me and is most often my shadow when I am home. She is fine when she is indoors and she quietly lies down in her space in the passage way of the house. It is the insecurity that has developed that has me puzzled. She will whine at the windows, run from door to door and then chew the door. It has got to the stage where we are bringing her into the scullery area to sleep at night as she goes beside herself if left out. She ignores the presence of Tikka who is perfectly happy outside and still sleeps without her pal in the garage where she can go out into the garden at night if she wishes and she does not show any anxiety.
My wife and I travel away quite a lot and at no time are the dogs left without company. We have the services of two different house sitters both of whom love animals and both of our two greet them with great affection when they arrive.
I have now repaired the doors (as best I can - for the umteenth time) and before going away I have painted over the varnish with Citronella Oil. I am really worried about this new trait as I feel some kind of separation anxiety has set in. I have travelled constantly over the last four years so my absence is not something new.
Nikita is a wolf hybrid and shows none of the aggressive traits bestowed upon these dogs. She is as loving as any gentle dog could be, whether to people or other dogs. Everyone is, in her mind, her pal. I have attached a photo of the two, with Kora the Dashound in the background.
Any HELP out there or suggestions?
David
