Dog Separation Anxiety?
Hello everyone, I'm looking for some help in a rather strange dog separation anxiety case. We recently rescued a young pitbull about a year old from our local shelter. She is a great dog in every aspect of life up until we leave the house. From there, she urinates in her crate (if we leave her in there) or in our bed if we let her roam around the house. This seems especially problematic when you consider she has no reservations of peeing in her kennel and hanging out in her own mess for hours at a time. She's even gone through enough trouble to hurt herself in an effort to break out of her crate (came home to a busted kennel and a large welt on her nose we had to ice down for an hour or two). We are running out of ideas on solutions seeing how we have tried many posted in previous yahoo answer questions such as: -long walks before we leave to drain her energy -soothing music to relax her -favorite chew toys in the kennel Is there anything else we can do other than medication to bring her separation anxiety down? I would probably admit that our biggest fault as owners is that we cater to her need to hang out with us all the time even though we try to leave her in the kennel for an hour or so a day while we are home to acclimate her to it. Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Chewing - separation anxiety?
quickest attitude is to undertake a 2d dogs, ideally an grownup who has been used to being left domicile. that usually places a promptly end to the SA. different option is a veterinary behaviorist, who will prescribe an SSRI like Prozac. it may take time to get the dosage dazzling, and a powerful reaction, yet usually over the years the dogs could be weaned off medicine. in case you won't be in a position to get to one in guy or woman, your interior of sight vet may well be waiting to administration the case by way of periodic consultations with a behaviorist. examine a e book by way of a expert like Nicolas Dodman, between the veterinary pioneers in treating SA. you will study the way you will desire to adapt your habit. for example, leaving for below a couple of minutes at a time, as a manner to reassure her which you would be returned quickly, and gradually extending the periods. forget with regard to the pup as you leave, and don't greet her on the door once you come. are available in, stroll around a 2d, then supply her a comfortable greeting. do no longer make a brilliant fuss, which in simple terms feeds into her tendency to overreact. SA isn't planned misbehavior. The dogs is in super turmoil and can't help what that's doing.
5 tips for Separation Anxiety:Before you leave, go for a walk. Start the day by providing vigorous exercise. Then reward your dog's calm-submissive energy with food and water. Some dogs may need to rest before eating, but all dogs can benefit from hydration. The idea is to leave your dog in quiet, resting mode while you are away.No touch, no talk, no eye contact. Don't make a big deal when you leave for the day or when you return. This way, you are communicating to your dog that the time apart is no big deal. It's just business as usual! Depending on the severity of the case, you may need to practice the rule for five minutes or up to an hour before you leave and when you get back.Say goodbye long before you leave. Having trouble practicing "no touch, no talk, no eye contact"? Take a moment to share affection and tell your dog that you will miss him way before you actually leave. Keep in mind that this display is for you - not your dog! Your dog won't have his feelings hurt if you didn't say goodbye.Stay calm and assertive! When you are ready to go to work, leave those guilty, nervous, and concerned feelings behind. Instead, let your dog know that everything is going to be okay by projecting the confident energy of a pack leader.Start out small. Leave your dog alone for five minutes. Then, extend the time to twenty minutes; then an hour. Continue to increase the time you spend away until you can leave for a full eight hours with no problem!dogs who think they’re the pack leader who suffer separation anxiety. Such dogs regard you as a pup in their pack and therefore feel the need to guard and look after you. When you wander off and they’re prevented from rounding you up and bringing you back they get frantic.A dog who sees you as the pack leader, however, won’t worry when you leave. Pack leaders go off all the time to scout etc and the pack knows they can take care of themselves and will return.Your job therefore between now and starting your training is to make yourself the pack leader. You can ffind out more about How to become a pack leader in here, and watch video training series- how to make your dog obedienceThis is, above all else, simply the MOST important step in any form of behavior modification work you do with your dog. Without a pack leader, your dog will gladly take over as one in an instant. This can happen as soon as you get your dog or any time during their stay with you.
Separation anxiety in dogs is a real phenomenon that can be expressed in mild to extreme cases. The solution to your dog’s separation anxiety will depend on the root of their problem (e.g. history of trauma, boredom, lack of training).MinorMinor forms of separation anxiety in dogs expresses itself in whining or barking when you leave the house. After a few minutes of upset, your dog may walk away and start enjoying their day. In this case, minor action might be needed. For example, you can leave your dog with a stimulating toy or use a dog camera that you can use to interact with them while you are away. This keeps them occupied and entertained while you are away, rather than worried about when you will come back.Moderate to ExtremeIf your dog experiences severe separation anxiety they may chew, destroy furniture, urinate inside and attempt to escape the area. Try to rule out behavior issues such as boredom through training. This approach will help your dog to reduce their association with you leaving as a negative experience.If training and distractions do not alter their behavior it is important that you speak with a vet in order to learn more about your options.Trauma - In some cases, dogs who have had previously traumatic experiences may turn to these behaviors to cope. The only way to alleviate the symptoms is to talk to your vet about potential prescription options.I like to write about dogs. Read more at the Woof Woof Dog Blog.
Generally dogs’ display separation anxiety invarious ways. These might include barking loudly and for a prolonged period after you leave the house, destructive behaviour, messing indoors.If your dog shows any of the above, then separation anxiety will almost certainly be an issue for you to tackle.There are various ways in which dog separation anxiety may be approched. You have a big part to play as the dog’s owner. Be prepared to be patient to discover what works best for your dog.It’s bsically about conditioning your dog to see you leaving as no big deal because you’ll be back.Try not to kake a fuss of the dog when you leave. Try leaving the room/house for very short periods (a minute or two to begin with) then do not make a fuss of the dog when you re-enter unti, the dog has calmed down. Gradully build up the time away.Sometimes make like you are leaving, the don’t. Leave and return by different doors.I found with my dogs that leaving the radio on for them was a big help as was making sure they had their favourite toys to play with to keep them occupied.Lots of other hints and tips which you may find useful here:>> Canine Separation Anxiety Symptoms And CuresHelped me learn plenty to help my dogs.
Need tips on how to deal with senior dog's separation anxiety?
Have you had the dog to the vet recently for a full physical exam? If not, you should. I saw many dogs that exhibited late age separation anxiety due to an illness that didn't become apparent until very advanced EXCEPT for the separation anxiety. At your dog's age, many things could be happening, many won't show symptoms right away. Edit: I would ask the vet to do complete bloodwork including Chemistries, CBC (Complete Blood Count) and thyroid panel. I would also ask for thoracic and abdominal x-rays to look for abnormalities.
Need help with a dog that has severe separation anxiety/boredom chewing.?
This is a problem which many dogs suffer from, consequently this is a frequent question. I have saved the following reply because I know that it helps, this has been confirmed by private emails. Sorry it refers to a male dog. You could also con him into thinking that you are always at home by carrying out the following procedure. Try to do this when you are at home all day, or in the evening when you are there. After your dog has had a long walk, put him in a room with his comfortable bed, this should be a room where you will leave him if you need to go out and where your dog will sleep at night. Walk out of the room and close the door. Open the door immediately and go back into his room, close the door behind you and try to ignore him. Pretend or actually do something which excludes your dog, for example if he is in the bathroom you could do a bit a cleaning for a couple of minutes. Then walk out of the room, go back again immediately and continue with the pretence. Keep doing this to ensure that your dog won’t feel isolated and eventually leave a small gap before you go into his room again. Eventually, increase the gap before going back into his room. When you know that your dog is asleep stop going into the room, however you MUST try to go onto the room before he wakes up and starts to cry. If you carry out this procedure for a couple of days, your dog will always think that you are at the other side of the door. I do this when I get a new puppy and this PREVENTS separation anxiety. Don’t neglect his long walks and playtime in the garden whilst you are re-training him, he needs his fun When you are leaving your dog on his own please don’t make a dramatic exit, or this will give the game away. Simply put him into his room and walk out. When you come home don’t give him a big hello, just walk into his room and let him out for a pee. You can then play with him and give him cuddles. Try to get a friend or a professional to take him out for pees and poos, if you need to leave him for any length of time...Until the Separation Anxiety is resolved, he should stay in his room at night. When you finally leave the house, it is vital that he cannot see you do this.
You didn’t say how long you’ve had the dog. Some dogs chew when they’re nervous or insecure, particularly if you haven’t had the dog very long. If this is the case, give the dog something else to chew so s/he knows what is ok to chew and what is not ok. My dog chewed when I first adopted her, but she gradually gave that behavior up as she became more secure in my house and with me. Of course your dog could be bored, and the other people answered well - give him/her something else to chew on. You also didn’t say how much you exercise the dog. If you don’t exercise the dog enough every day, the dog has to expend some energy in some way, and often that can be destructive. Most dogs need at least 45–60 minutes of exercise a day - walking, a vigorous game of fetch, running w/owner, etc. (I give my dog two walks a day - one is about 40 minutes, and another about 20 minutes later in the day.) An exercised dog is a happy and fulfilled dog, and a happy dog is a lot less trouble!
How to Stop Dogs From Chewing Wood?:It can be frustrated to come home and see that your coffee table has been mauled by your new puppy. While you might think that this is just a stage your puppy is going through, this is a problem you need to address.“Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems! The No.1 Dog Training site...Dog Training Secrets Has Been Revealed Now!!!”Determine Why Your Dog is Chewing:Some dogs chew out of boredom, while others chew because they are teething. There are even those that chew due to separation anxiety. It could also be a combination of all three. If you have a puppy, there's a good chance it's because of teething and the poor little guy is in pain. If the dog is past the teething stage, he's probably just bored. Those that chew due to separation anxiety simply miss you while you're away.Keep the Dog Entertained:Dogs can become bored quite easily, especially if you have a breed that was bred to hunt or otherwise be active. Without proper activities, your dog may resort to chewing on wood to easy his boredom. It's also important to keep dogs that suffer from separation anxiety entertained while you're gone. Try leaving the TV on and making sure the dog has plenty of toys to keep her company.Provide Chew Treats and Toys:Chew treats and toys can be a wonderful remedy for all chewing problems. Not only do chew toys keep dogs entertained, but they also help with teething. This means your dog won't feel bored, lonely or in pain. There are a number of chew treats and toys available in all pet stores, and most are labeled with information on which breeds most suited for their use.Make the Furniture Taste Bad:No dog wants to chew on something that tastes bad, no matter how bored he is. There are products on the market made especially for this purpose. All you do is spray the furniture and your dog will quickly get an idea that the furniture isn't meant for chewing. You can also mix one-part vinegar with six-parts water for a home remedy.Correct the Behavior with a Firm "No!":If you're able to catch the dog in the act of chewing, give a firm "no" command. This may take several attempts, but when combined with the steps above, you'll have a better chance of correcting the behavior. The important thing is to be consistent and act immediately. You don't have to yell, just be firm and let the dog know you mean business.“Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems! The No.1 Dog Training site...Dog Training Secrets Has Been Revealed Now!!!”