Dog Community

Seperation Anxiety

EW

Posted : 6/3/2006 3:48:09 AM

Any good (or great!) tips on dealing with this? My dog is a 2.5 yr, neutered male, beagle/husky mix. We've had him since he was about 8 weeks old. He is not left alone often, and when he is alone, he is left in his crate. He has recently become extremely anxious about being alone. And also has extreme reactions when one of us leaves, even if someone is still home with him. My fiance has recently started working from home, but when he has to leave for client meetings, our dog starts running around the house, barking, crying, whining, scratching at the door or window. This behavior can go on for up to 15-20 minutes (or more), even though I'm at home. He will also get upset (although not to that extreme) when visitors leave, or if we are at a family function and one of us leaves the room. He, of course, gets anxious when we leave him alone, although in that situation he is in his crate and, at least when we have timed it before, his barking subsides after 10 mins or so. I know he gets upset when I leave the house, but I think my schedule and "getting ready for work" routine is more of a pattern/predictable, so the reaction is not the same, although he does mope for me (at least that's what my fiance tells me!). I'm really not sure where to go with managing this behaviour, does anyone have suggestions? Thanks!

forpaws

Posted : 6/3/2006 8:48:46 AM

And also has extreme reactions when one of us leaves, even if someone is still home with him. My fiance has recently started working from home, but when he has to leave for client meetings, our dog starts running around the house, barking, crying, whining, scratching at the door or window. This behavior can go on for up to 15-20 minutes (or more), even though I'm at home. He will also get upset (although not to that extreme) when visitors leave, or if we are at a family function and one of us leaves the room. He, of course, gets anxious when we leave him alone, although in that situation he is in his crate and, at least when we have timed it before, his barking subsides after 10 mins or so. I know he gets upset when I leave the house, but I think my schedule and "getting ready for work" routine is more of a pattern/predictable, so the reaction is not the same, although he does mope for me (at least that's what my fiance tells me!

It is horrible when they have these attacks. Something I did when my Dilly had this problem when he was younger was to fill a Kong ball with yummy treats which I froz the night before with yogurt, peanut butter, veggies, and meaty treats. I would place him in his crate with door open while I got dressed and ready for the day to leave the home. I found this was a great distractionary technique with him.
[linkhttp://www.wagntrain.com/SeparationAnx.htm]http://www.wagntrain.com/SeparationAnx.htm[/link] Will help with reconditioning him and some helpful tips.

Good luck.

spiritdogs

Posted : 6/3/2006 9:05:32 AM

rnin02, are you sure you have a Beagle/Husky? Sounds like a herding dog mix to me, LOL!
Best thing you can do is to keep your comings and goings low key.
Exit and enter from different doors, change your routine (don't always pick your keys up last thing before going out), leave a stuffed Kong toy in the crate, and don't always crate only when you will be leaving for hours. Once in a while, put the dog in his crate, wait until he is quiet, then wait a couple of minutes, open it and let him out.
Good book:
"I'll Be Home Soon - How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety" by Patricia McConnell.
Worth getting, since this is a problem that, once firmly established, is hard to get rid of. Do it now!

luv4gsds

Posted : 6/3/2006 9:31:19 AM

When you and your fiance leave and return should be made as quiet and uneventful as possible to avoid overstimulating the dog. The dog should not be given attention prior to departures nor given attention and praise upon returns. Kongs or chew toys are great too. You could leave a tv or radio on something that has sounds. You could look into this [linkhttp://www.thedogtales.com/]http://www.thedogtales.com/[/link]