Separation anxiety

[Patricia Sciallis]

Hi Everyone!!  I posted in here when we got our Bandit.  He has severe separation anxiety and it hasn't gotten any better.  He is such a wonderful dog until I leave him.  We now crate him and when I come home, his cage is covered in saliva.  I contacted a dog behavorialist and he recommended Pet Rescue.  My vet had never heard of it and recommended these relaxing treats for his anxiety.  They do contain tryptophan and now I have read that turkey is not good for dogs!  Has anyone ever heard of that?  I really have tried everything to alleviate his anxiety and don't know what else to do.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thank You. Patty

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I'm guessing the Behaviorist was talking about Bachs Rescue Remedy. http://m.vitaminshoppe.com/mobile/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id...

This just the first place I found it...many places carry it, but just wanted you to see what I was talking about. I have used it, know many people who have used it, for a multiple of things. Separation anxiety, long road trips, thunder, etc. I have even used it on my cats. It is safe and one CANNOT overdose. One of my past Goldens was terrified of thunder. She could sense it an hours off! We were living in Texas at the time, and thunderstorms were all too common. The Rescue Remedy was enough to just take the edge off. I always had a bottle or two in the cabinet for her.
LOL...they even have a human version.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You need to be especially careful the rescue remedy you use is for pets, not humans,. Yes, there are two types.

My experience with Rescue Remedy is ... well it's not. It doesn't touch the surface at all.

Ask the vet. There are great prescription meds to help with anxiety.  Too often, owners say NO to drugs.  This is exactly what meds are for.  Your dog will thank you

Much better results with meds than trying a bunch of different things only to resort to what really works.

The sooner, the better.  Old habits and feelings are hard to break.

Some of our dogs use it for short periods of time, while some of our dogs are on it for life.

Under the direction of a Vet, a trainer, and you, you will see a remarkable difference. with medication, n ot holistic methods. .  Again,  your dog will thank you for giving it some peace.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I guess I should have added...my Vet did recommend the Rescue Remedy. My daughter's Vet recommended it to her as well for her.dog.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Rosemary, my comments are certainly not against you, just that I've had not much luck with a few dogs~ foster and one of my own.

It is worth a try. I also use a Thundershirt. Good, but not the answer just a bandage.

I do think it works for mild situations  <wink> but if it is severe, more intervention is needed but often so many wait too long.

It is much easier to work with the training if you have a good start.

Just my thoughts but not to undermine anyone's opinion or suggestions. 

By the sounds of the excessive drooling in the crate...  :(   it sounds like a case that is severe enough for some strong intervention.

Rescue Remedy lasts for 5 minutes ..maybe

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

((Hugs)). LOL...I knew that! And I wholeheartedly agree! My daughters Mastiff was a slight case of separation anxiety. She was a pup, but her mere size caused havoc, when she got upset. The Rescue Remedy was great for her...although ALOT had to be administered, to have any results. She eventually outgrew her anxieties. For my Golden...again, the RR was just enough to take the edge off, when the storms hit. This was before the Thundershirt was ever thought of! ;)
I might add to the OP...they also have room diffusers, containing the RR.....I have not used those, so can't really say if they work or not.
As far as it lasting....it our case...it took about 40 minutes to become effective and lasted upwards of 2-3 hrs.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Hugs to you too  :)  

I think this would be good for storms. I think we have to try anything to bring them some peace

PS- Room diffusers, written about here on DK in the Anxiety Group are not healthy  :(

There are some cancer causing agents in some, severe respiratory issues, so be careful

[Patricia Sciallis]

Thanks for your replies!  I sincerely appreciate them.   I have tried the thundershirt multiple times and he takes it off!!!  I did give him one of the relaxing treats and so far have not seen a difference, may be too soon to tell!!  These are my last efforts before medication for poor him and I who are going through this!!!  Glad to know you can't overdose it and other vets have heard of this, I wonder why my vet hasn't!

[Julie and Max]

You could try reading the dog listener too. It may sound weird, but I have found that by applying her techniques my puppy no longer has separation anxiety and he had it pretty bad before I started. I use that plus making sure he's had a walk before I go, and I also give him food puzzles to keep him occupied so he doesn't get bored. I know my answer doesn't deal with the treat thing, so sorry if it's no help. :(

[Patricia Sciallis]

Thank you Julie!  I have never heard of the dog listener but will try and find it.  I do walk Bandit before crating him, give him food puzzles in crate and he doesn't touch them.  Thank you so much for responding, everyone's suggestions do help me knowing there are kind souls out there trying to help me find an answer..  :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Do you know if it is a crate issue or separation issue?

If you were to not crate him ????

Or course, it could be both but I'm wondering what would happen if you left him out? Does he chew toys? How old is he?

I bought an app for $4.99 and used a simple $39.00 camera to watch my dogs and a few other dogs to see how they react when I am not home, uncrated.

I had a female dog who could never be crated or she would hurt herself her anxiety was so brutal. So no crate.

[Patricia Sciallis]

Hi Joanne,  I have left him out and he chews things like all my halloween decorations.  We also had him barricaded in our laundry room and he has scratched doors, tried to get out the window, eaten curtains and got into our pantry,lol.  He is a tough nut to crack!!  The funny thing is when my daughter leaves him at her house with her Westie, not crated, he is good, but not with my son's dog, a lab.  I can't figure it out!   I have exerted myself as pack leader and that has no effect either. :(

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yeah, sometimes that pack leader stuff is ..... just a bag of dog poo. 

Leaving him out is too dangerous for him. He will just end up with a bowel obstruction and a hefty$$ surgery. If he makes it out alive.

Honestly, talk to the vet.  Vets know and understand this issue. It has gone on long before you and I ever had dogs.  It's not easy to fix. 

You can join us in the Doodle Anxiety Group.  Many of us there have had severe cases of one thing or another and we throw ideas around.

For our dog, we used Clomopramine. Clomopramine began as a separation anxiety medication in the 60s.  An older drug that is still used because it works.  There are new meds on the market and others are having good luck with these meds too.

We all agree, the meds should be used along with an intervention from Vet, a trainer, and you. Not one without the other.

I'm sorry to say, none of the diffusers, over the counter music, smells, and Thundershirts help severe cases.