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| Separation anxiety (i think) | |
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| Topic Started: Aug 28 2009, 10:05 PM (142 Views) | |
| dawnie | Aug 28 2009, 10:05 PM Post #1 |
Chatterbox
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Copied from a discussion i put somewhere else on the forum Milo's been stressing about for about 3 weeks now, i don't know what's set him off but whenever i leave the house he's going into major panic mode and he's never been like this before (well not this bad), a couple of times he's even tried to climb over me as i'm trying to get out of the door. And now its gone to the next extreme - destruction - twice now he's, what looks like, made a frenzied attempt to get out of the house and today damage was done - i'm in rented property so can't let this happen - and i know its only material stuff and i don't care about that but it breaks my heart to see him stressing/panicking etc, and i don't have the answers and i don't know what to do. |
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| Tafia | Aug 28 2009, 10:19 PM Post #2 |
Total Gas Bag!
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No experience of SA I'm afraid Dawnie but loads of sympathy. Must be stressful for you both. |
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| Laura | Aug 29 2009, 10:38 AM Post #3 |
One of the regulars
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How long do you have to leave him? Would it be possible to get a crate? I know it sounds like they will be more stressed if locked up in a crate, but I gave in and got one this year and my dogs love it! They take turns to sleep in it when I'm here and Meg goes in it when I'm out. She used to sit at the window and howl whilst I was out but since she's had the crate she has no problem and is happy to get in voluntarily when I need to leave her. I really recommend trying it, it'll save your house too and you won't have to worry about him. Good luck, I know it's stressful when you know they're not happy x |
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| Linda & Fred | Aug 29 2009, 02:04 PM Post #4 |
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Something must have happened while you were out one day to set him off. :( What is he destroying? |
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| Marean | Aug 29 2009, 02:11 PM Post #5 |
Total Gas Bag!
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The crate would be a solution if he will take to it. Is he confined to a room when you go out? Sam was like this when mum and dad first had him, but they had the time to be able to build up the leaving etc. Does seem strange that he's just started doing it, is it since you've moved? If the routine has changed then maybe thats upset him plus he would pick up on you if you are showing any stress and then he's worried about you leaving the house without him. Really hope you can get to the bottom of it Dawnie :flower: |
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| dawnie | Aug 29 2009, 05:38 PM Post #6 |
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Thanks guys. We moved 12th June - he's been like this 2-3 weeks. He's only been destructive twice - once he got into the conservatory and had tried to claw his way out of the door (the conservatory has 2 patio doors) - the carpet was frayed anyway but he'd pulled that up, scratched the wooden door frame along the bottom of the door and, as the carpet was frayed and the grippers bare, scratched all his pads on the nails sticking out of the grippers. Yesterday he'd almost destroyed the draught excluder strip that is screwed to the bottom of the porch door - the brush bristles were all over the floor, the strip was almost completely off bar one screw - it was bent, twisted, chewed etc. Its both exits of the house that he's caused the damage. Yes they are left for along time but always have been and prior to moving were left a lot longer than they are now. He's stressed out when being left in the past but hasn't done it for 3 or more years and never ever this bad. I'm not keen on the crate idea purely because he's never been in one and i think with the other 2 still have free run it would stress him out even more. They pretty much have the run of downstairs (except the conservatory as its like a sauna in there) and the house is very cool etc. |
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| Linda & Fred | Aug 30 2009, 06:39 AM Post #7 |
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Chatterbox
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If he's destroying doors it's most likely to be SA rather than boredom, but moving house can trigger SA because they are in a new and 'scary' environment. It's possible nothing happened, it's just a build up over the past few months of all the stresses and strains. SA is the one thing I really have no clue how to deal with. :( I have heard that if you take a cloth, wipe it round the bum and bits, and then smear it on the floor it can stop territory marking. Wonder if it will make him feel more secure in his house if it smells strongly of himself? I've been promised that it is undetectable to humans! Apparently once a week is enough to keep the smell strong. |
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| dawnie | Aug 30 2009, 08:53 AM Post #8 |
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Chatterbox
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Well a few people have mentioned something called Zylkene - its not a drug but has a calming effect - the reviews are very impressive and most vets even prescribe it but you can get it without a prescription. |
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| Tafia | Aug 30 2009, 04:47 PM Post #9 |
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Total Gas Bag!
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Could you try on the Bach Remedies instead? Work out loads cheaper - if you're interested I'll look up the recommended tincture. |
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| dawnie | Aug 30 2009, 05:06 PM Post #10 |
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Chatterbox
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Well been to see my confidante today and she's convinced he's reading my emotions and recommended Kalms - same as Zylkene but so so much cheaper (£3.05 for a bottle of 100) so i've got some and think i'm going to take them as well as giving them to Milo and we'll see. She also suggested a crate but think i'm gonna see how the Kalms go first as he's never been in a crate and when i fostered the pups a couple of years ago i had a massive crate and he wouldn't go near it. |
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| Linda & Fred | Aug 30 2009, 05:49 PM Post #11 |
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Chatterbox
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It's not a good idea to use a crate for SA anyway - he could still be distressed and will either hurt himself trying to get out, or start howling or barking. At least with destruction although it's awful he's not disturbing the neighbours giving you extra worry. |
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| dawnie | Aug 30 2009, 07:54 PM Post #12 |
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Chatterbox
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Thanks Linda - i'm not going to crate him - i don't care if he rips the house apart - its all immaterial - what's important is him and his well-being and calmness. Hopefully the Kalms will have some effect. I've also contacted a guy who i spoke to at length about him a couple of years ago - if the Kalms don't work then i'll invite him round - although i know the first thing he'll say - no sofa, no coming to my bed etc etc. |
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| Marean | Aug 30 2009, 08:34 PM Post #13 |
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Total Gas Bag!
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Awww Dawnie, think you've given yourself away there :lol: does sound very much like he's looking out for you, you must find you calm assertivness and show leadership, as Cesar would say :lol: :ok: |
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| hannahb | Sep 1 2009, 09:03 AM Post #14 |
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Ted was quite bad with this when we first got him, my kitchen door has never been quite the same since. We did lots of practice leaving the room and leaving the house throught the front and back doors. We often just went out and came straight back in, and sometimes for longer. We were recommended not to make a particular routine, just to leave without saying good bye or giving eye contact etc, and on return to do the same - esp not looking for or at damage (hard to do) when we came in, because when we saw it our anxiety levels shot up which immediately stressed Ted. One person recommened that as our door was under attack we should take to leaving through the window - not possible in our case. Ted is now fine about us going - less so if we also take Hari. fingers crossed Milo settles soon. |
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| dawnie | Sep 2 2009, 02:52 PM Post #15 |
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Have i ever told you how much i love my dogs ................... yes i know, many many times but i'm so proud of Milo at the mo i could burst. In the last 2 days he has walked for a total of 4 hours, mostly off lead, with 2 dogs he'd never met before and has been am absolute angel, he's interacted with them, played with them and not had a go at all - except for at the big scary black dog in the woods last nite! I think as they are very calm dogs this also brings my 3 loons down a bit, so whether its the extra exercise, the interaction with other calm dogs, and the Kalms tablets i have a very relaxed dog - please pray god let it continue. |
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