I need help.

JalapenoMel

We just moved, and my little Stray Jones is having a helluva a time adjusting.  We have been crating her when we are out, which is not that often (DH is home Monday-Wednesday, and we are both here on the weekends).  But she freaks out.   She slobbers, claws, chews, and just basically freaks out. 

 At the old apartment, we left her out, with really very few problems.  In our apartment previous to that, she would scratch and claw at the door, whimper, moan and bark.  We don't want her to do that here, so we figured crating her was a good idea.  She sleeps in her crate at night, or during the day when she wants to get away.  But she does not like to be in there when we are gone. 

 I think we are going to go back to leaving her out, but I am scared that she will pee on the rug or claw at the door or keep our neighbor up.  

Do you have any advice...what can we do?

eshee8198

We have a dog with separation anxiety, and what worked for her was to create a combination crate/exercise pen containment area that gave her more of a play space. We just took a regular wire exercise pen and clipped it to the sides of her open crate. Then make sure she has a lot of "activity" toys (someone suggested freezing peanut-butter filled kongs) to keep her busy. It might be good to go back to crate training 101, and put her in there sometimes when you are home, just so that she doesn't only associate being locked in the crate with you leaving.