I Have a problem
By breepeace
@breepeace (3014)
Canada
March 21, 2007 11:16pm CST
Recently I placed one of my 6 year old Siberian Husky in a home, due to severe seperation anxiety. There was someone to be home with her most of the time in her new home, and they were homebodies anyway.
Things had been going fine up until this weekend though. The male head of the household had to attend a hockey tournament and was staying with his mother. He took the dog, and left her Saturday with his mom. On Friday she met his mom's West Highland White Terrier and was fine, but Saturday night the Westie walked by her and she attacked it.
The attack was completely unprovoked, and I've ruled out almost every factor I can think of. She's never done anything like that before and the only thing I can think was that she was out of sorts because he wasn't around and had just been spayed the week prior.
In any case, his mom has now put pressure on him to give her back, so I'm taking her back next week to try to find a better situation.
Do you think it was just stress? What should I do? I'm losing my mind, she's a great dog but the sep. anxiety is enough to drive me bonkers. She pees on the carpets, digs through doors and rips up clothing. I'm at whits end. Anyone else have a dog with seperation anxiety? How are you coping? What are you doing? Anything would be appreciated!
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2 responses
@Married2aMarine (1273)
• United States
22 Mar 07
My dog has separation anxiety too. She's non-aggresive but she gets really anxious when we leave her alone at home for anything longer than an hour. She will chew up books and magazines and drag my stuff around. The best thing I did was to get her a nice big crate, a lovely crate pad and created a wonderful place for her to feel safe and relax in whenever we're not there. She actually likes being in her crate and even when I'm home and let her have free roam of the house, she often likes to go in there to rest, nap or just chill. Good for her and good for us. She feels safe and comfortable in her crate, end of separation anxiety and no more destructive behaviour. I leave her with lots of toys and a T-shirt that I'v worn so she gets something with my scent. She has been happy ever since then! :)
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@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I'm glad I read your response b4 I posted mine. I was going to suggest a crate as well with plenty of toys like the Kong filled with peanut butter or some other treat to keep the dog busy while the owner is gone. I have crate-trained all my dogs and never had a problem with any of them. My one dog who did have separation anxiety would just go to her crate and stay there till I got home with the door open. It's like a den for the dogs where they feel safe and secure.
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@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
22 Mar 07
She's been crate trained since she was a puppy, but since she developed the seperation anxiety, will literally pull a fibreglass crate apart, will pull the door in and escape. Ditto for leaving her in an exercise pen, she'll climb out, knocking it all over. And when left outside, she'll either escape over the fence, chew her tie-out if she's restrained (and we're talking the heavy duty cable tie-outs meant for dogs much larger than she) or jump off the door so much, there are actually track marks on it.
I gave her up because I couldn't afford a dog therapist (in this area, they generally go for upwards of $60 a session). She's already gone through obedience classes and passed with flying colors, was a former show dog (I finished her Canadian Championship) but it's like she's bored now that I don't have something for her to do.
Like I said, whit's end.
@gizmo528 (731)
• United States
14 Apr 07
What about trying a doggy daycare? Even if she feels like she has to protect her own environment she might not feel that way at doggy daycare. I'm not sure if that is an option in your area but I know it does work for some owners with their pets that have serious anxiety. Also, if she's a former show dog she might just feel out of place by not training and being in a show. Put on a mock show for some friends and family and see if that helps.
@Backpack30 (924)
• United States
22 Mar 07
It sounds like to me that what happened with the attack was a territorial issue. With the man of the house there, he was the alpha, but when the alpha leaves, there's got to be another. Maybe your dog felt like making his position known.
My husband brought home a very sweet collar-less dog one night and long story short, our dog went balistic around it. The other dog was on gaurd because she wasn't on her territory so she would eye ball our dog. Our dog felt threatened by that so she's go after her.
Territory has alot to do with alot of things dogs do.
As for the separation anxiety, I'd suggest you walk the dog as much as you can.
When dogs feel that they have a purpose or a "job" or feel that they are exploring, they're happy.
I think you'd be surprised how much a daily walk will effect him!
Good luck!
:D
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