Separation Anxiety

[CLRay]

Abbi, my rescue dog, has had issues w/ separation anxiety since I found her. She is 40lbs and a mix of pointer, springer spaniel, and other. She is 3yrs old. She has been on medication, which we have stopped over the last 6 months. She does not tolerating being shut in a room or crated. She turns into "Kujo". We have no problems if she is left out during the day. However, she is very anxious when my husband is not here. She barks at EVERY LITTLE NOISE and is constantly looking at the window, and barks at every person that walks by. I tried "Bark Busters" a dog behaviorist when she was about 1 yr, which didn't work. He made my throw chains at the floor by her feet and yell "bah" so that i would appear as the pack leader. However, it intensified her behaviors by throwing chains at the floor. Not impressed at all! I have also tried a bark collar with citronella spray, which worked for a little while. At this point in time, how can I calm her and keep her from barking at every single noise she hears and every person she sees?

[Adam Sullivan]

My wife and I had similar problems with our Shepherd who was rescued. He broke out of his crate numerous times and much like your dog does not like being closed in a room. We met with a behavioralist in the local Pittsburgh area (when BarkBusters didn't work) and she suggested that we "frost" the glass at the window he always looks out of. We took her advice and must tell you it worked like a charm. He doesn't bark at anything anymore (unless there's a knock at the door or the doorbell rings) and seems to be much more relaxed when we get home. We bought a spray can of window frost at Home Depot. It worked for us, I'd give it a shot.

[CLRay]

Thanks! Sounds good! I"ll have to give it a shot. We currently have 11 windows that she has access to. She usually looks through about 3 windows consistently, but will run through the house to another window when she sees a truck or person in the street. She is much more relaxed/calm when all of the blinds are closed. But I'm getting tired of living in the dark! haha. THANKS!!!!

[Adam Sullivan]

We have four windows that Rex can get to. But we started with the one that he was ALWAYS at. We frosted that one and the behavior stopped. We never had to frost the other three windows that he has access to. I would say start with those three main windows and see what happens.

Just a personal note on the blinds, be very happy that you still have blinds. Rex destroyed (and I mean annihilated) the blinds that used to be on his favorite window. We have to leave all of the blinds up, or else we would have none.

[Dr. Jennifer Sobie]

It is very difficult to live with a dog with separation anxiety. It can't be treated with punishment, and it has nothing to do with dominance or being the boss. There are steps that you can take to help your dog, and I'm attaching a file describing the general methods. I'm also attaching a file on how to locate and evaluate professional help, because separation anxiety is a problem that often needs specialized attention. I'm curious, did you stop the medication because it wasn't working or because there were side effects that you didn't like? Behavioral medications are often a good way to help the dog as you are working through the treatment, because they reduce the dog's anxiety.

I'm also attaching files on excessive barking . This has some tips that may help you.

Jennifer

[CLRay]

I got married in October, and since my husband has been living with us, her anxious behaviors have decreased, so we decided to decrease the meds. We decreased and decreased, then I tried her a few weeks without, and I couldn't tell much of a difference. In order to stop the anxious behaviors w/ meds, she was a zombie and slept all of the time. When he's home, she is pretty calm and does her own thing. However, when I am home alone, she is non-stop barking and looking out the windows and appears very anxious. I don't know if it's a protection thing, and she feels that she and I are protected when my husband is home, so she calms down. However, if the TV/stereo is on and the blinds are closed, then her behaviors are better. But I can't live with non-stop noise and in the dark! :) I am a person that will do anything to help an animal, but I'm running out of ideas! :) Thanks for your help!

[Kelly]

Will these tips help with a rescued Husky with the same problem? I don't have the room to put a crate in here large enough to contain her and frankly, feel she would figure out how to open the crate anyway. She tends to be highly intelligent when it suits her, like finding hidden treats and opening the glove box in the car, but 'heel'? Sit and stay?? Nope, she acts like I am an idiot when I say these things to her......darn smart dog.

[CLRay]

haha, she sounds like a smarty! I would definitely suggest a room closed off with a baby gate, if you're not wanting to do the crate. If I close the door, my dog will scratch and chew through it! Mine does ok with the run of the living room during the day, I close the doors to the bedrooms so she can't get in. It took about 2-1/2 to 3 yrs, before I let her have the run of the house while we are gone. However, make sure where ever you leave yours....MAKE SURE THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HARMFUL THAT HE/SHE CAN GET INTO! Good luck with everything! :)

[JacksMom]

I'm working with PandoMusic and this music helps calm dogs down..... you can hear it at www.pandomusic.net. It's classical music for dogs (and there are also for cats).... you might try a cd and play it at home and see if it helps relieve his anxiety and calm him a little. We also have it at some kennels where they've found that it lessens barking......
The reason it works on most dogs is because the music was recorded at frequencies they respond best to; and has embedded frequencies too, plus with the sound effects that capture their attention .... it all combines to help calm them a bit.
Play the music softly ....sometimes if loud it just upsets them......
I hope this works for you. it seems to work for most dogs.
Good luck !!
I do hope that you can find a viable solution that will make you and your dog happy!

[debi weldon]

CL Ray,
I sympathize with you and your dog. The dog is scarred. Slow, soothing music played repeatedly really helps lessen separtation anxiety. I created a CD for dogs that uses words that dogs understand, spoken by professional voice actors, set to classical music,. Please do to www.dogstoriesandmusic.com and you can preview all of the 12 stories, and read the great reviews. the CD really works. I have had more than 1000 customers, and they all tell me that it helps their dog. good luck.