Help dog owners

[Cork On the Ocean]

Many of you guys know that sunshine is a rescue dog. She's perfect in everyway, almost. She has tremendous separation anxiety. She somehow hurt her foot Wednesday. My neighbor told me last night that when I was gone on Wednesday that she sat in the window screaming for 6 hours non-stop while I had to go to a meeting in PCB.

I take her everywhere I can but this is the third time a neighbor has told me that she screeches when I'm gone. I think she probably hurt foot falling off the window sill because that night is when the foot swelling and hopping started.

I have bought her a doll, a blanket. The cat is here with her when I'm gone but she just freaks when I leave her in the house. We don't know much about her history, so I'm beginning to think she was left in a house during the storm or maybe abandoned by the roadside when they couldn't take their pets on the bus during Katrina.

Tonight I went out and my friends brought their pug to babysit her. when we got home we got out of the car at the end of the street so she wouldn't see the car drive up and we could listen to see if she was yelling. While she wasn't screaming, she was sitting looking out the front door when we walked around the corner. Then we go through the "she's home" freaking out, running around me wanting to be picked up and it doesn't stop until I pick her up and hold her close until her little pounding heart stops pounding.

I really don't feel I can commit to another dog right now and have resisted putting her in a cage when I'm gone. Has anyone else had such problems with separation anxiety and found a solution without drugging the pet? I just dont know what to do and now she's getting so upset that she's hurting herself. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[Allifunn]

Many of you guys know that sunshine is a rescue dog. She's perfect in everyway, almost. She has tremendous separation anxiety. She somehow hurt her foot Wednesday. My neighbor told me last night that when I was gone on Wednesday that she sat in the window screaming for 6 hours non-stop while I had to go to a meeting in PCB.

I take her everywhere I can but this is the third time a neighbor has told me that she screeches when I'm gone. I think she probably hurt foot falling off the window sill because that night is when the foot swelling and hopping started.

I have bought her a doll, a blanket. The cat is here with her when I'm gone but she just freaks when I leave her in the house. We don't know much about her history, so I'm beginning to think she was left in a house during the storm or maybe abandoned by the roadside when they couldn't take their pets on the bus during Katrina.

Tonight I went out and my friends brought their pug to babysit her. when we got home we got out of the car at the end of the street so she wouldn't see the car drive up and we could listen to see if she was yelling. While she wasn't screaming, she was sitting looking out the front door when we walked around the corner. Then we go through the "she's home" freaking out, running around me wanting to be picked up and it doesn't stop until I pick her up and hold her close until her little pounding heart stops pounding.

I really don't feel I can commit to another dog right now and have resisted putting her in a cage when I'm gone. Has anyone else had such problems with separation anxiety and found a solution without drugging the pet? I just dont know what to do and now she's getting so upset that she's hurting herself. Any suggestions would be great.

girl, I don't know a whole lot about sweet dogs...I have one...that lives at my ex's house...she is a real sweetheart...I resisted getting a dog for a long time...but she is the best girl in the world...but my thoughts are...get her a baby...take her to the animal shelter and let her pick out her own friend...???? you have already commited to one dog...another will be a piece of cake...if it helps sunshine...

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

girl, I don't know a whole lot about sweet dogs...I have one...that lives at my ex's house...she is a real sweetheart...I resisted getting a dog for a long time...but she is the best girl in the world...but my thoughts are...get her a baby...take her to the animal shelter and let her pick out her own friend...???? you have already commited to one dog...another will be a piece of cake...if it helps sunshine...

I'm so praying for another solution. When I commit to a pet it's for life and I travel every month and can't imagine dragging 2 dogs and a cat in my little car. It's such a big decision to take on another. Another thought was to get a straw bag that looks like a purse and sneak her in everywhere cause she;'s quiet as a mouse in her carry bag with me. She's so happy just to be with me. when we were getting ready to go out tonight, she wouldn't even look at Duke the pug, she just stares at me and follows me EVERYWHERE.

 

[audie]

when dory was little many moons ago, she had some separation anxiety. we crated her from the time we got her at 8 weeks old and she loves her crate still to this day. it is her home and that's where she goes when she's ready for bed or if it is storming. anyway, our breeder suggested taking an old t-shirt or pair of shorts or something we didn't wear anymore, and wear it to get your scent on it. then we put it in the crate with her and it seemed to help. i would also play some soft music like jazz while we are away. to this day, when she gets lonely she either gets up in my hubby's chair (since he is her favorite ) or lays in bed on his side with her head on his pillow, i assume to smell him. it might be worth a try.... sure hope it helps ! we just in the last year or so quit crating her when we leave. she can always get in it, and most of the time that is where she is at when mr audie gets home from work.

 

[sarawind]

We had a similar situation and resolved it by crating the dog with his favorite
'babies' (stuffed toys) and a chew hoove (available at pet stores). We cover the crate with an old thin tablecloth to create a den-like atmosphere. Dog is happy now. Good luck.

 

[Cil]

I am sorry you are in such a fix, Cork.
Crating is not cruel.
A crate is the dog's den, the dog's security. Usually a dog will curl up and go to sleep there.
I know you are not Sunshine's first owner, but I know from experience that old dogs can learn new tricks. I would give the crate a try.
Your neighbors sound very nice but they are probably reaching the end of their rope with the barking.

 

[Jdarg]

Crate for sure. Fiona goes in hers all the time- we call it her "house". Practice leaving her in it for small stretches of time, gradually lengthening them. She expects to go everywhere with you now and gets upset when you leave!

We had this problem with MacGregor, our first rescue. He was clawing the woodwork around the doors everytime I left- trying to dig his way out to find me. We ended up with a second rescue and all the issues were solved- the only extra work really is 4 more paws to keep clean. My problem now is ever having to separate them for any reason! Remember that dogs are pack animals- and your little dog has made you part of her "pack"- but you can't be around all of the time. She may be one of those dogs that truly needs another dog!

 

[Paula]

We don't have dogs but most of our friends who do have dogs that spend a lot of time inside use those crates and the dogs seem very happy. And these are people who don't travel much -- the dogs just seem to like it (kind of like a dog house of their own - you could have fun decorating it).

 

[iwishiwasthere]

Lots of good suggestions already presented but here are mine(some of the same).

A crate is a wonderdful thing. Both my dogs go to their crates with no fuss. We love to travel with them so invest in a good travel crate. In the beginning she will not like it much, but in time will find it comforting. Put favorite toys, soft, snuggly bedding and something that smells like you. Our oldest, as I have mentioned before, has severe separation anxiety. She chewed herself until she was bloody...not a pretty site. We got another pet, and it did make a difference. They are great friends now, but for a month Maggie would not look at us. Introduce the new pet on neutral territory. I think our mistake was we brought her home and did not let them get to know each other a bit before Sophie became a part of the family.

Downside....a second dog is MORE work...I thought it would be no big deal, but it does require two of everything....doctor visits, treats, clothes, medicine, etc. That being said I would not change anything because the Sophie has helped Maggie so much that is worth the extra effort.

Good luck to you and that sweet pup of yours!

 

[audie]

We had a similar situation and resolved it by crating the dog with his favorite
'babies' (stuffed toys) and a chew hoove (available at pet stores). We cover the crate with an old thin tablecloth to create a den-like atmosphere. Dog is happy now. Good luck.

that is exactly what we did, only we had to get a king-sized sheet because dory's crate is so big. it is HER house, and no one is allowed in, you are only allowed to put your arm in to add water to the dish hanging on the side of the crate. i can only wash her bedding in there while she is getting groomed because she gets irate if you do it while she is home. i thought crating would be cruel too when i first read about it, but it truly is a life-saver!