We have a dog that is a boxer/pit bull mix, 4 -5 years old. She is a great dog, never bites, etc., but we cannot leave the house without her peeing in her crate and destroying anything in there. She has classic separation anxiety symptoms. She follows us around constantly and we cannot walk across the room without her 3 inches behind us. It is getting to the point that I can't stand to be around her. HELP!!!!
Separation anxiety is a sign of boredom and lack of excercise. You need to walk your dog on a regular basis and stimulate her with fun games and activities.
Actually, true separation anxisety is not related to boredom or lack of exercise. It's a psychological problem. Your dog needs to be evaluated in person by an animal behaviorist. A properly trained behaviorist will be able to identify true separation anxiety and help you go through the steps to find some relief for your dog. Contact your vet and get some numbers of local behaviorists in your area. It won't cost an arm and a leg to have them come out to your house, and a few sessions can do wonders.
Bad behaviors due to lack of mental stimulation are not separation anxiety. While this may be the cause of your problems (and some of the statements you made make me doubt it), real separation anxiety is much, much more complex. However, a good exercise routine is always beneficial to all dogs.
Actually, our dog had separation anxiety, and excercise and stimulation did help. So it may be a factor in it too. (Although it was a much more milder case)
I suspect your dog didn't have separation anxiety. People (including professional trainers) tend to misdiagnos this disorder. True separation anxiety is very severe. The dogs will often drool on themselves tothe point that their coats are sodden, rip their bodies up in an attempt to escape their crates, destroy wooden doors or window frames in an attempt to escape, and generally cause massive diestruction to themselves and property. A dog who gest mildly upset and chews up a few things is not real separation anxiety. This dog shows a few symptoms of real separation anxiety, but I could not know for sure without a visit to the house hold for further investigation. Therefore, a visit from a behaviorist will fit this family's bill just perfectly.
He actually would urinate on the floor, chew our couch, chew the doors, chew carpet, ripped a hole in our chair, and shredded two sets of blinds. He did not follow us around constantly or cause harm to himself though.
Yes, the behaviors you describe are just bad behaviors from a bored dog. Separation anxiety has more to it. That's why a behaviorist would be a great plan for this family. He or she will be able to tell the difference. I'm glad you got your dog's behaviors under control with some good exercise. it's always a good place to start.
It's good your parents found the right solution for your dog, though.
I, too, had a terrier mix that I though had separation anxiety decades ago. He did the same thing...pee, chew, etc. He was also just bored. I also helped him with more exercise and mental stimulation.
The trigger with this person that indicates it might be separation anxiety is that the dog follows them very, very closely around the house. This may be a sign of a more serious problem, but again, it would take an in-home evaluation to discover.
It is becoming more common to use such drugs in animal medicine. If it is truely a psychological imbalance that is causing the problem, drug therapy is a viable option. Drawbacks are the same as for humans. Side effects from the drugs ranging from nausea to general dopiness. Periodic bloodwork would be reccommended to assure the liver and kidneys are not adversely affected. Hope the meds help your dog.
Thanks. She has taken it for three days, and while she hasn't peed in her cage, she still can't stand it if she can't see me and must follow me around. I know it is probably too soon to notice any real changes, but I hope it helps. She definitely has psychological issues and was a shelter rescue after abuse.
TRY A DROP OF LAVENDER OIL RIGHT AT THE BACK OF THE NECK IN THE AREA THAT THE COLLAR SITS THE SCENT JUST LIKE WITH HUMANS WILL HELP TO RELAX HER ...I WENT THROUGH THIS WITH MY ROTTIE AND THIS HELPED ALSO TRY TO LEAVE A BLANKET ARE SHEET OR SUM THING OF THAT SORT WITH YOUR SMELL ON IT THAT YOU WONT MIND HER LAYING WITH THAT WAY SHE BY SMELLING YOU HAS THE SENSE THAT YOUR CLOSE ...FOR THE PROBLEM WITH HER FOLLOWING YOU BUY A RUG AND PLACE IT IN A PLACE THAT IS USED ALOT LIKE THE FAMILY ROOM CALL IT HER "PLACE" WHEN YOU NEED A SECOND TO YOURSELF WALK HER OVER TO THE RUG AND SAY PLACE HAVE HER LAY DOWN AAND GET HER THE MOTION FOR STAY THEN SAY PLACE AND GOOD GIRL AND WALK AWAY NOW THIS MAY SEEM MORE DIFFCULT THEN HELPFUL IN THE BEGIN BUT IF SHE GETS UP TO MOVE YOU MUST WALK HER BACK TO PLACE AND HAVE HER LAY BACK DOWN THIS WILL SLOWLY BUT SURELY WEN HER OF THE NEED TO BE RITE UP UNDER YOU
I think i get seperation anxiety from my dog cajun more than he gets it from me. he used to come everywhere with me I went to an animal college he he came everyday with me. then i worked on a horse farm and he worked with me I take him almost everywhere i go he loves the car. he is a 5 year old cockapoo and he means the world to me, now i have an office job and although i have begged and begged no dogs alowed..i miss him. even though i know he is at home not thinking about me at all i'm sure he just keeps poping up in my head..so i give the heading "HELP! DOG SEPERATION ANXIETY!" a whole new meaning. lol
Healer72, Agility is right. I would definitely try a behaviorist before medicating. My dogs do not have separation anxiety, even though I am home most of the day with them. I place them outside and leave for a couple hours and each time I return they seem fine and no stress. I have a 6 month old puppy and he does well in his kennel (just for a few hours) when we are gone as well. We leave the radio on and give him a good chew treat to keep him busy.
However, I do have a dog who is deathly afraid of storms...I call her my weathergirl, because she knows when it is going to rain better than a meteorologist. However, she drools excessively and paces like a coyote hunting it's prey. She will try to get through doors (eat through them) to us if we do not lock her in her kennel. The vet told us to give her benadryl and sometimes that works, but not always. It is frustrating.
You might wnat to try leaving your dog a little each day and each time she does well, priase her (not too much) and extend the time each time you leave. Hopefully, she will realize that when you leave you will come back. Also, when you return do not make it a big production to see her. Just say hello, good dog and give her a quick pat on the head. Sometimes we make too much of a fuss. Letting them know it is no big deal and it is jsut part of every day life, she might lighten up a little.
Before you head off to the nearest doggie shrink, try an appropriately-sized "KONG" bone filled with either canned dog food or peanut butter (or a combination of bothin small amounts). Give this to your dog just before leaving the house so that the dog learns your departure is a GOOD thing. Leave for short intervals at first to see how, or if, it's working.
This trick was passed on to me by a very expensive, very much in demand dog trainer and it has been a life-saver. My greyhound destroyed Christmas presents (all that was left of a watch was the face. The box, strap, & bow were never seen again.), set off our burglar alarm, ripped up any and all item(s) that he could reach. I never knew what I would come home to. My husband and I were very stressed, and worse, we were prisoners in our own home...afraid to leave. Now, thanks to the Kong trick, he's actually happy to see me go.
