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

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I have a friend who goes to a holistic vet who recommended some sort of tea (camomile?) sprinkled on the food.  I haven't followed up on this  at all, but it was an interesting concept.

[Patricia Sciallis]

Thanks Nancy,   so far the rescue remedy and relaxing treats haven't done anything for Bandit.  I am calling the vet this morning to see what the next step is.  Will let you know.  Thanks again.

[Patricia Sciallis]

Hi Everyone,  Just wanted to let you know that I talked to the vet on the phone and she of course said there is no easy fix for Bandit's separation anxiety.  She suggested a trainer and unfortunately I cannot afford that.  There will be no medication at this time so I am going to keep working with him following everyone suggestions and see what happens!  I sincerely Thank you all once again for your support.  Patty

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Good luck, Patty! Here's hoping Bandit can learn to relax a bit and you find a solution quickly. Please, do keep us posted.

[Jen W]

That stinks!  I'm so sorry you're going through this.  My puppy had severe separation anxiety, too. I tried leaving the TV on, playing music, putting her in a Thundershirt, wearing her out with a long walk first, leaving frozen Kongs, nothing worked. Just like your situation, I'd come home to find her covered in drool from being so anxious.

I felt so bad leaving her that I found myself completely changing my life so that I'd never have to.  Fortunately I work from home so I didn't lose my job, but I stopped going to the gym, stopped seeing my friends, started ordering all of my household supplies online so I would need to leave the house to go shopping.   But then I realized that this was really no solution as I was starting to go crazy and resenting my puppy for the trip to loony town.  

I stopped using the crate altogether, I'd just leave her in the kitchen (which fortunately had a door to keep her out of the dining room).  I'd toss some treats on her bed as I walked out the door and say "I'll be right back".  Then I'd walk out the door without touching her or making eye contact.  At first it was 2 minutes.  Then 5.  Then 10.  Then 2 again.  Slowing building up in an erratic manner (so sometimes it'd be longer, sometimes shorter) but I would never open the door to come in if I heard her barking or crying.  When I'd come in she'd jump on me but I would completely ignore her until she was totally calm.  Then I'd call her to me and give her lots of love.

It wasn't an overnight fix (I'd tape her while I was gone so I know she cried).  But eventually I think she learned that I always come back. Now at 14 months old, she is totally fine when I leave and doesn't jump up when I come home.

I know that what works for one person may not work for another and if nothing I offer you works for Bandit, at least know that there is hope.  You just have to keep working it.

Good luck!

[Patricia Sciallis]

Hi Jen,Thanks for your story!  I am so happy you don't have to go thru it anymore and you have given me more hope than you know that we can overcome this.  I will keep working it, I am not giving up, I love this dog so much and I believe we are both smart enough to gt through it..  Thank you again so much!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Some Vets!

I also had this problem when I sought out help for my young puppy who just got worse and worse as time went on.

At first I was blown off by the vet and the trainer.  But you know something.... We know our dogs and we know when thing are severe.  They dont live with them, we do.

Get a second opinion.   My regret is that I wasted so much time  on this method and that training and money until we got someone to believe us.  Someone to help our entire family. It really did effect us all.

Funny, they told me training but the dog had already been to four trainers. She could not be trained until she calmed down. Her focus was so much on fear she could not pay attention to the tasks.

In the end we started the medication and two weeks later started with simple training.

No fancy methods and home visits or  huge $65 an hour methods..  Just basic training with all the other dogs in the group.

Bark a little louder, Patricia.  The vet wont jump the first time, but stop in and talk to him face to face. The second cry for help usually works. If not, there are more vets in the sea

[Patricia Sciallis]

Thanks Joanne, I am going to get thru the holidays with training for the time being.  He has been responding to peanut butter and kibble in a huge marrow bone.  It doesn't last long, but its a start.  I have been playing hide and seek with him and he can go about 2-3 min. before he panics.  I really know that if I dedicate the time, we will bet this anxiety.  I have to get thru the holidays first.  I have some hope now.  I am so happy there is a group of caring souls to share and help others.  Bless you all!!! 

[Patricia Sciallis]

An update on Bandit and his separation anxiety.  We bought a chair for the living room for Bandit to sit on and look out the window and we can now leave him alone!  He is such a good boy now!  I also give him treat balls for him to play with while we are gone.  I just got home and found he had chewed on an aloe plant.  I didn't know they were poisonous until I looked it up on the internet.  I have a call intoo my vet.  Any suggestions?