Separation Anxiety

[Mary]

Hello Trish, My name is Mary and we adopted a 3-year-old Beagle in February of this year. He is a such a blessing and we love him so much. He does, however, suffer from separation anxiety. I have never heard of this, our vet told us about this diagnosis. I do not want him on medication. I work at home so I am sure that does not help, and he has already destroyed two sets of blinds just because I went to answer a door and the other time I went to throw trash. We really do not want to crate train him for this, as I read this can actually make the situation worse. I am trying gradual methods such as picking up my keys and then when he settles down I will advance to the door, etc., but I am unable to advance past the door without him getting very upset. We really do not know much about his upbringiing as the rescue got him from a shelter. He has been debarked (who would do this to him is kind of a heads up of what he has been through), and is a bit aggressive. However, I am finding this "loving" method of teaching him manners is working. We have no kids, so it is just my husband, myself, and Beagle Jericho. Any advice you have for us is GREATLY appreciated. Trish, thank you for your time and help.

[Trish McMillan]

Hi Mary,

I've met a lot of Beagles with problems like Jericho's - I wonder if because they were bred to run in big packs, they might suffer more than more aloof dogs when left alone.

I absolutely agree with your vet that your dog would benefit from medication. I don't understand why so many people are nervous about medicating animals who are clearly suffering. Sometimes I ask people to imagine if it was their brother or child exhibiting this behavior, would you be more OK with giving them a little something to help them through this issue? Why not offer poor Jericho the same comfort?

The other thing to think about is if it's going to take you six months to work through the separation anxiety program without meds and it might take you half that time if you can just chemically prevent the dog from having panic attacks while alone, why not see if meds can put this behavior modification on the fast track and prevent the dog those months of suffering?

It sounds like you're doing the right things, and I agree that sometimes crating makes these dogs worse, but having a "safe place" of some sort is often very comforting. Do you have Patricia McConnell's booklet, "I'll be home soon"? It's a fantastic resource.

I also highly recommmend getting a trainer to help you in person with this, especially since you say there are aggression issues as well. Go to www.ccpdt.org for a certified pet dog trainer or to http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior/caab-directory for a certified applied animal behaviorist.

Good luck with Jericho, it sounds like he chose himself a very dedicated new family!

Trish