Hello All!

I have a 1.5 year old Rat Terrier or as my family calls him the Rat Terrorist. His name is buddy and he is my best friend. I had successfully crate trained him, but about 6 months ago everytime I put him in his crate he freaks out and starts barking. Even If I am in the room. If I am not in the room he will bark for hours on end thus causing my entire family go insane. I have always had a problem with him getting into things despite training so when I am at home I usually have him on the retratable leash so that I can keep a better eye on him and then at night he sleeps with me so I take the leash off. My friend told me that this is separation anxiety...... Does anyone have any thoughts about cures for this problem.

Thanks!

Thanks for the response..... no it was not overnight full fledged barking constantly. It started with him barking for a few moments and I would say enough and  rewarding when he stopped and that would be the end of it. It slowly progressed into what we have today where nothing phases him. I have attempted to cover the crate with no avail. The crate is currently at the foot of my bed. I have moved it from my bedroom and that did not seem to have any effect on him.

Hi AmletPumpkin:

Thank you for the response,  I will try the watergun method. This behavior was sorta phased in. I cant remember any specific event but I will continue to think about it.

Again, Thank you for the advice.