Just thought I would post this to let you no how things are going :) Its only been 3 days but still feels pretty good :)
As you all know I was having prob with (suspected)separation anxiety. Always anxious I was going to leave (only left for 2 hours or so) and she was crated. Would get anxious and whine at just the simplist things like me brushing my hair. And also all the way back home from a walk (i walk her before i ever go out). And in a previous post I said I was thinking of getting rid of the crate and 'doggy proffing' my bedroom for her to stay somewere she felt secure.

3 Days in a row now I have gone to my boyfriends in the day for a couple of hours and she has stayed in my bedroom. And not only has she been good as gold in there on her own (she has also been going in there even when im in the house to have a munch on a bone in there) she has not chewed anything, pinched anything, got into anywhere, poo'd or wee'd :) I have given her a good walk before going out anywhere and even on the way back home she has not been uptight or anxious and not a whimper in sight. Even when we get back and I wait by the window looking out for my life before I put her in her bedroom (usually this gets her going but gain not a whimper) :) Only thing is her treats in there with her, bones, meat filled bones, kong, and teddys etc she does not touch when im out the house??? Do you think this is a problem or is it not necessary a huge prob dogs not wanting to eat while 'mums' not there?? But She seems happyer all roand :) and also being as good as gold(ish) with recal in the field :)

It could be that there is more of your smell about the bedroom Thant where her crate is and she finds this comforting.  An Adaptil/Dap collar or Spray might help her too.

If you don't mind her in the bedroom then it seems fine, but otherwise have you thought to place a worn old T shirt that you have slept in/with each day in her crate, or where you would prefer her to be.  This could be the kitchen with the crate door open.

Hi I tried everything which the crate. I moved it to diff places, Toys, treats, leaving tv on, placing a worn top in there, building it up when i first introduced it, everything. But I think some dogs just dont take to them no matter what the circumstances. The bedroom thing is working out just fine atm, she has always loved the bedroom and felt safe in there so I though this would help when I leave. And as I said such an improvement as not uptight or anxious on occasions she would have been before :)

To be honest until I was taking more than one dog to a show I never owned a crate (mainly as I didn't drive myself).  Their main advantage is travel and using whilst away from home.  they are far from essential in the average one pet home.  They are simply useful in the same way as baby gates, playpens for both pets and babies.  If they actually cause problems, then they are not being useful. :)

There are other ways of ensuring a dog is safe and your belongings are reasonably unscathed, (using a room easily washable floors, blocking any cables from chewing etc), and I do not sue them at home much, and usually the one that is up from a new puppy has the door open most of the time and only used when pup needs time out, away from the others, usually to give them peace or for pup to eat, without being stood over .

Glad youre girl is happier!and you too,as well,of course!

Hi. Yes I agree, crates can be usefull but in my curcumstances has proved more of a problem then a help :) and yes so much better since not using it. It is still in the house though, still set up, as i need somewhere to put her for half hour or so after a walk when she decides to go running in the bog :( I used to bath her each time but not really always pratical to do so lol

The only thing is last night (after I had wrote this post) I found a wet patch in my bedroom :( she had only been left that day for 2 hours :( and can easyily hold her bladder that long, and had a long run and a good toilet before hand. Is this something to worry about ?? Will she do it everytime?? Or will it be something she grows out off?? Is it normal for a 9month and im just expecting to much?? She never did it in the crate so will she grow out of it, and do other peoples dogs at 9months do it?? Just worried now as dont want another prob to start when its been going so well.

And yes Colliepam we are both so much happyer, life together is alot more relaxed and stress free :) Thank you :)

I would see if leaving her loose in a room with a washable floor (usually the kitchen, which I assume is where the crate is?) might not be better.  Some dogs will wet when stressed, so this may still be part of her anxiety over your being gone.

The problem is that dogs will go again somewhere they have gone before,a nd it is almost impossible to completely remove the smell (for the dog) of where they went.  sh is still quite young so you do not want her house training to go backward.

Has she been in season yet?  I have often found around season time they may have an occasional accident as they don't seem to be able to hold on as long.  All mien have developed cast iron bladders after their first seasons had finished (in my breed usually 8 - 10 months).

Yes i certainlt do not want to create another problem. She has not messed in the house for 5months or so now. Even the places she did mess when a pup toilet training she has not messed on again for 5 odd months. I have carpets in every room in my house :( Like i said before tho things seem to be so much better, her behavour through out the day and night, not showing signes of being anxious all the time, so things are improving, so maybe, as its only been 3 days so far, she still needs a few more days to relax and improve even more?? Could this be the case?? Like i said carpets are through out and does not bother with any place she wee'd on as a pup.

she has not been in season yet, she is now 9months so im certain it will be coming very soon. But first seasons can go almost un-noticed cant they??

No you should certainly notice a first season (you might miss the start though) they may be a bit shorter or less intense.

The main thing you will notice as the season progresses is the 'lady parts' will be more evident and that of an adult bitch instead of the infantile vulva of a young puppy, even after the season finishes they will be bigger than before.

The easiest thing is to wipe her vulva daily and mark on a calender when you first see blood stained discharge.

My youngster was nearly 17 months before she had her first season, her mother was 9 months when she had hers, in my experience there is no set time for a first season.
I find mine start to pay more attention to their vulva licking and cleaning prior to coming in season. The eldest one makes a noise like a coffee perculator, and seems to really enjoy it !!! My husband always gets embarrassed when she sits on the sofa doing it, always seems to be when the tv has gone quiet or we have visitors !! LOL.
I put a white cotton sheet in their beds when they start licking more, and has already been said dab with a white tissue morning and night that way I know when the season has started.