My Dog Has Anxiety and It's Driving Me and My Husband Nuts!!

I volunteer with a rescue group and think Kirsten gave you EXCELLENT advice!! The only thing I would add - is that if her suggestions don't work (but they should) - contact a trainer/behavorialist. If you need some numbers, email me back.

Hope I NEVER hear from you again :) :) :)
H.

The poor thing has separation anxiety. You need to work with him in this way. Put him in the crate and go out the door as if you were leaving. Watch him thru a window or something. The second he starts acting anxious, pop back in the door like you just got home. Act like normal, telling him what a good dog he is. Keep this up for maybe a day, each time staying outside just a little longer. After a few days of this, he will begin to realize that you are coming back and you can leave him for longer times. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but in my experience it is worth it. My dog was terrified of riding in the car, because it always made him sick as a puppy. I started putting him on a leash in the backseat while I sat in the driver's seat reading a book or magazine. After a few times of doing this, I would start the car and then sit reading while he calmed down. Today, he drags me to the car when I say "Do you want to go with Mommy?" Truly worth the time I spent!.

If you can leave him outside that would solve it. He needs comfort, my cocker spaniel does the same thing so I always put him out and don't worry about it, he wails and cries so my neighbors think we are beating him but I can't have it in the house making a mess. There are tranquilizers available for dogs with anxiety, I have not tried them but my pet store owner says they really work. I leave a radio on with mellow classical music on too and that soothes animals, scientifically proven.

Try contacting the behaviorists at your local Petsmart or SPCA. They don't want you to have to give up your dog so they are typically willing to help in any way they can. I used our local Petsmart's behaviorists for some issues we were having with one of our dogs. They will probably ask whether anything has changed in your routine lately, whether the dog is getting enough exercise, what you usually do when you get ready to leave (do you go through a "good bye" routine with the dog), etc. Nine times out of ten, something CAN be done to change the situation but you and your family must be willing to make the changes and work with the dog to improve the behavior. There's no quick fix for animal behavior issues and a lot of times, it's things we, as the owners, are doing that make the dog behave badly! It'll take a concerted effort on all parts but you CAN get through this and have a happy and content dog.

It could be he is jealous. Did you get the cats after you had him. Also it could be he needs to hear your voice and sound of people in the house. When you lock him up can he see you leaving. Try putting a clothing of your in his cage. Or maybe a clock that clicks loud enough for him to here. I am just giving you some ideas. I don't know if that will work. Maybe a little coffee might work. I heard that calms them down a little. I really don't know. But you can try right. Take care. Write me if you want. Vicki

Do you have any type of fence for the outside or are you in an apartment where that is not feasible? Just curious because if you could get him outside that would definitely help with the separation anxiety that he is having...

Do you exercise your dog? A german sheppard needs some good exercise each day, at least an hour of walking or running. If he doesn't get that, he will get bored and is more likely to have anxiety issues. Also, they are very smart dogs - they need more mental stimulation than a smaller dog would. I have a laser tag toy that my big 80 pounder loves - he follows it and tries to chase it. It about 10 minutes, he's done. Fixing him will help some, but he does need either one good walk a day or two shorter ones. Even playing ball in the backyard works! Good luck!

J.,
A friend of mine had the same problem a few years ago, she went to a health food store that also sold dog food, they told her it sounded like stress (it's so strange that animals get stress like we do!) Anyway it was as easy as changing the dog food to some organically grown kind, I guess some regular dog foods have chemicals and preservatives in it to have a longer shelf life. My friend said it was more expensive, but well worth it in the long run. I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the dogfood, and my friend moved out of state. Good luck, V.

I have a shepherd/lab mix and he did the same thing for quite some time. I found that his crate was just too big. When I moved him to a smaller one I felt bad that he could barely turn around and looked so uncomfortable, but it worked.
Also, what happens if you don't put him in a crate? Does he poop then? Since getting rid of the crate, my dog has turned to eating my kids toys. Not good, especially since they are so costly. I now have a muzzle sort of thing that works.
They are stubborn dogs and I really hope this helps.

Here is a web site that might give you some info. Find an American Eskimo breeder and "talk" to them.

www.dogbreedinfo.com/americaneskimo.htm

Please,please, do not take you dog to a Humane Society. If you cannot get him to quit messing up your home, then please contact one of the following American Eskimo RESCUES. The Dog "rescues" are absolutely wonderful. You might also call or email them and ask for advise as what you can do to help your precious dog be better house trained. Good luck. P.

www.rescueinfocenter.com/

www.heartbandits.com/

www.eskiesonline.com/

J.
HI my name is J. and I have a poodle that does the same thing. Your dog is jealous also of the new baby. When my grandson was born my poodle went crazy. He follows me everywhere and will not leave me alone. While it is different for me, my grandson is not there all the time. I know it is hard with a new baby but just spend as much time as you can with the dog. Let him know he is still an important part in your life. If you and your husband share yourself with the dog he will get better. Have faith

I agree with Kim P's response and everyone else has great advice. However, starting with the exercise is the easiest. Letting a dog out to do his/her business in a small area or even a fenced yard is not enough, even the Dog Whispher says so :-) I have a beagle/yellow lab mix that we adopted from the JOhnson County Animal Protection group. He doesn't seem to have any major anxiety, but if he doesn't get in his walks (at least two a day) he can be destructive and he pouts! The JCAP can also provide you with great advice, you could email a woman, Catherine Adams ____@____.com, I'm sure she could offer help.Good Luck. PS. Has he always been like this and did you have him b4 your daughter was born? Could he be jealous?

Get rid of him. That is taking away from your family. There are lots of people that would take a dog. You don't need the aggrevation.
That is so gross... get rid of him.!!!!!

Jen.....I watched a news clip last week about playing classical music to calm dogs with separation anxiety. The clip showed a kennel where more than a dozen dogs had rock,jazz and even rap music played for the dogs to hear. The dogs displayed anxiety, even fighting with one another while the music played. When the classical cd was played for the pooches...the aggressive behavior stopped, and the more aggressive dogs even layed down with legs and arms stretched out. I know there is a classical cd out there just for dogs, but, even perhaps a radio station with clear soft classical music could be played for your dog, especially while you are not at home. I have had animals for over 40 years, and have always left music on for them when I leave....I never realized until just last week that there is now scientific data concluded about pets and the "music" they listen to. I don't know how much help this is, but thought I'd pass it along. Hope it was of interest, but most importantly, I hope it helps.
D.

It sounds like he has a severe case of separation anxiety. My family raises Miniature Dachshunds, and we have 3 boxers, one of them a rescue, and we dealt with this for 3 years. First, what you need to do is make sure everything is OK with him healthwise. Make sure he does not have a bladder or urinary infection of some sort. This could go on for a while, and unless your vet tests him, you would'nt know. Second, make sure you worm him really well. Get Strongid or something similar from your vet. There are many kinds of worms, and some of them will cause intestinal issues, like not being able to hold it in his crate. Your second option, and you may want to do a search on-line for canine separationg anxiety, but a trainer is always an option. And third, as always, exercise! You will be amazed at the difference. My boxer that has a severe case of it, was eventually put on doggy valium. But this was the last resort! It's really cheap, we get it from our vet, and whenever we know we are going to have a situation like company, or will be gone longer than normal, he gets a half of one. And it has helped a lot. It's the exact same ones they give humans, but my vet gives us the generic, and they are pretty cheap. I would strongly suggest trying everything you can before giving him up though. He's an adult dog, and at least you have bonded with him since he was a puppy which makes it easier for you to have patience and deal with his issues for this long. If he goes to a new family, he may not be that lucky with them. That is the reason we could never give ours up, because at least we loved him, and we were all he knew. A new family would not deal with it as well as we have, and I would worry about his ultimate fate. God Bless.

Is he destructive when you leave him out and you are not there? Does he vocalize while you're gone? Does he follow you from room to room while you are home? Is he housebroken otherwise? Was he a rescued dog?
K.

My german shepherd was also like that. If we left her alone for a few minutes the trash was knocked over, cushions off the couch, etc. I started to leave the t.v. or radio on for her and it worked overnight. I could keep her loose after that and she did nothing bad as long as she had that background sound. If we took her in the vehicle and had to stop, I had a portable radio that I carried for her to listen to so she wouldn't chew on my car seats (can we say Hooch?) which she did.
I hope this helps and good luck.
S.

My dog would get bad anxiety every time it rained & thundered. She drooled & paced the entire house. Her heart rate would go up & she shook something awful. We put her on something similar to "prozak." The vet prescribed it. It was a little strong, so we gave half of the recommended dose (we lived in Florida at the time) and gave her the meds only during the summer during the hurricane/rainy season. She was calmer. We weren't crazy about putting her on pills, but it was best for her. Now that we live in NC she is no longer on them, but she still get frantic during thunderstorms.
This might be something to discuss w/your vet.

Jen,
I'm sure you are overwhelmed with a new baby in the house and a doggie that is misbehaving. Did this behavior start before or after the baby was born? How old was your dog when you got him? If he was a resuce dog, perhaps he was mistreated at his former home. I have found that books such as the one by Ceasar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, have helped me understand dog behavior. His Web site: http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/ (He also has a TV show)

I would also suggest working with a dog trainer. Most will come to your home to observe the dog's behavior in his environment and teach YOU how to train your dog. I have worked with ____@____.com Another option is to take your dog to obedience classes. Working on basic obedience helps you understand your dog and builds trust. Carolina Dog Training Club offers classes at the Lewis Recreation Center. See web site: http://www.angelfire.com/nc2/dogtraining/

I'm certainly not an expert, but I do have 3 dogs of my own (with their own special needs;) Best of luck to you and your new family!
J.

When we crate trained my dog we had dividers so for a while he only had enough room to turn around. They say dogs won't "go" where they sleep. He hasn't had one accident. About a month ago we took the divider out, he is still doing fine.

Hey Jen, talk about separation anxiety! WHOA! Is there any chance you can take him with you when you go? Does he travel well in the car? Chances are, he will settle down some once he is neutered. He is still a puppy though and that puppyhood often takes a long time to wear itself out. My best advice would be to socialize him with other dogs at OBEDIENCE SCHOOL. Having two Great Pyrs, it was the only way we could have any peace around our house. OBEDIENCE SCHOOL...They do amazing things.

Hello! Well if you take him to a shelter he may be put to sleep. Maybe you can take him to pet smart to be trained or read on training dogs or something. I have a friend with a dog like and they arent having much luck. Im guessing you dont live where you can leave him outside in a fence. Thats the best thing for large dogs like that. I adopted a cat last May and it pees and poops everywhere but I dont have the heart to get rid of him because 6 in 10 pets get put to sleep. Try putting an add in the paper. Maybe someone with a big yard will adopt him. Im sure its hard having a dog like that with a 5 mo old. Good Luck!

Hi, just alittle help for you, have you tried putting your
dog in the crate while you are home or at night? He thinks
everytime you leave him its about the crate. If you have not
done this start slow, tell him how good he is.Also be sure the crate is not way too big, most times dogs dont like being
in their own waste unless they can get away from it.Crates are
a good thing and should become his safe place. Good Luck!!!

B.
Vet Tech

Your dog sounds like he has separation anxiety. We rescued a dog with that, and now it is almost cured. Fixing the dog will not cure separation anxiety. We did ALL of these things in conjunction. It may sounds crazy, but you are hitting the issue from all phychological sides, and they work together.

--Don't make a big deal of leaving or returning...not even a good-bye and a very subdued hello. (only when the dog is sitting calmly)
--Try to get the dog's dopamine levels up before you go with a run, walk, training session, or time outside.
--Spray 'Comfort Zone' on the dog's bed(s) and some favorite area. This is mother dog pheramone and extremely calming for dogs. It also come in a plug-in for a room.
--Put out toys that have not been out for the day when you leave--preferablty these are Kong brand toys filled with treats that take time to get out. the dog will asscoaite you leaving with treats this way.
--Spray Bach's Flower essence 'Rescue Remedy' on the dog's tongue shortly before leaving.
--Open up blinds and curtains for 'Live theatre' out the window. If crating, it is very important that the crate be up against a window to create some diversion. If nothing is going on outside, create a theatre with brid feeders.
--Leave the TV on.
--Leave lights on by the dog bed if you will return after dog--use a timer if needed.
--When you return, take the dog for a survey around the house, and if you find no accidents ot destruction, praise and reward. If you find a mess, say 'what's this?' 'No!' and leave it at that.
--Make sure that the dog was not fed less than 45 minutes prior to you leaving. You may also cut back on food--consult your vet. Sometimes dog's have diarrhea from simple overfeeding and lack of resultant control.

If the crate your dog is in is much bigger than he is than you should probably get a little smaller one. I was told by a pet trainer that, when crate training my dog they don't like sleeping in their own soil, so if the crate is close to the same size as them, they will learn not to go soil them (usually). Then when they are trained you can go back to the bigger crate. And yes they usually calm down a bit more when they are fixed, most dogs do. I have been told though, not to discourage you, larger breed dogs take a while longer to calm down, up to the age of 5. You've made it this long with him, just be patient, I guess, you only have 2 more years to go....:). PS..I keep Animal Planet on for my dog while he's in his crate just so he has something on for noise. Otherwise he'll be listening to the cats in my house making the noise and be upset that they are out playing and he is not.

We had a chocolate lab that did the same thing. There are several things you can do...if you are willing to put in the time. Have you always put him in the crate or did you just start this? You have to train him to go into enjoy the crate. One way is to put his food dishes by the crate after a couple of days move it inside the crate at the door. Every couple of days move it back just a little until it is finally at the back of the crate. Also, twice a day for about 30 minutes go and sit in front of the crate with your dogs favorite treat (that he will only get when he is in his crate) and put a piece inside the crate. When he goes in praise him, but as soon as he comes out don't do anything (you don't want him to associate praise with coming out of the crate). Keep throwing a piece of treat inside the crate ( a little further each time) and praise him when he is inside only...pet him too. When you see that he is starting to get real anxious then end on a positive note with praise inside the crate and stop the training section. Depending on the severity of his anxiety will determine how long this training will take. Another dog will not always solve anxiety so don't fall into this trap. He might be jealous of the new baby...when did this anxiety start? Where do you live? I know a good CERTIFIED dog trainer that is very reasonable. You could hire her for a couple of hours and she will show you how to help your dog or you can pay her to come everyday or so and train your dog for you. The first option is less expensive. Good luck with it!! If you do have to get rid of him try a different organization such as the West TN Animal Rescue...I can't find the website right this second, but if you need it let me know and I will search for it. Where do you live?

I have a friend who is a vet tech and she has a dog that is prescribed Xanax (sp?). He is a little Pekignese that got in a fight with a Boston Terrier and he lost both of his eyes in that fight. So, naturally, he became extremely anxious due to that drastic change. Anyway, the vet she works for put him on Xanax and it has worked miracles. Also, she said it is really cheap. Ask your vet about any kind of anxiety meds for dogs. HTH! Good luck!

Okay so when I was reading I got a scense of deja vu...I had the same problem with my dog, he is a 5 year old beagle bassett hound mix. We got him from the humane society when he was 6 weeks old. And we were in the same dilemma about whether we should keep him or give him up. He was fixed already and we noticed the seperation anxiety almost immediately, we tried to crate him and he would slobber so bad it would be all over the kitchen floor and himself, then we tried keeping him in the laundry room but all he did was put deep scratches into the door we even tried playing music, keeping the t.v on and nothing worked, and keeping him outside while we were gone was pretty much the same he would bark constantly and would dig holes by the fence line to try and get out, so after years of =not knowing what to do we took him to the vet and told him his symptoms...he told us our dog had severe seperation anxiety and put him on puppy prozac, you are probably thinking the same thing I was "are you serious a dog on prozac??" but let me tell you it was the best thing we ever did, and after a few months he was 100% better, we can now keep him in the house when we are gone and besides a few minor incidents we have not had any problems. I wish you the best of luck....

L.

Is your dog getting enough exercise? Do you have a fenced in yard you can leave him in when you are not there? Sounds like he has some pent up energy. Getting him fixed may help with this, but it still doesn't fix the exercise issue if he isn't getting enough. If you don't have a fenced in yard, then you might want to try taking him on a good walk a couple of times a day. Once he has had his chance to poop and pee all over the neighborhood, he will be too tired to poop and pee in your house, and the destructive thing will get better, too.

my suggestion is to do training. when you have time. place him in the crate and leave the house for 5 mins come in and prasie him. he is having separation anxiety. when he shows signs of the 5 mins is helping go up in increments of 5 mins. and do that till you have him trained to the time you need.
i also suggest giving him a special toy or treat when he is placed in his crate. and don't make a big thing about you leaving. when you getting ready to leave just act like you are just going out the door for a min.

i had a husky/wolf that did the same thing she tore my crate and bedroom up until i got her trained.

Are your cats aloud to run free while you are gone? If so maybe they are making your dog nervous.Try shuting them off from him. Also my moms poodle has problems when she leaves too, the vet gave her some mild tranquilizers to give her and she does fine with them.

this is very typical of the German shepard. My brother went through the same thing with his dog and after about 3-4 years he settled down quite a bit. he would still have the anxiety but nowhere near as bad aas when he was a pup. very loyal and very protective of all of our family even when my kids were around him he was a very safe and loving dog. unfortunately he had to enter into a new life late this past year and it was very hard for my brother and his wife since they cannot have children of their own. Sinjin was their son and took very good care of my brother and his wife for 13 years. be patient and i think that you will be very surprised with the outcome of your family pet.

My inlaws have a german shepard with severe anxiety about being alone, she will literaly almost knock my mother in law down if she thinks she is going to leave her, and just cries and cries. They put her in a small kennel outside that is on concrete when they leave, it seems to help.
I have a huge austalian sheperd that left alone will tear through anything, I put him in my laundry room and he chewed through a vent to the outside!!!!!! Luckily we live in the country so he just roams the yard. Very sweet dog, just can't leave him pined up at all.
Keep triing things, hope this helps.
A.

Dear Jen, I was watching on tv the other night how soft music calmed dogs to the point of putting them to sleep. First They showed how hard rock, rap and just plain old rock and roll effected the dogs and they were just like a room full of hyper kids. Maybe you could find an easy listening station on the radio and play it while your gone. L.

Have you heard of the Dog whisperer> My dog had a lot of anxiety and his techniques have cured her. He's great. He is on the National Geographic Channel. Here is the website.
http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

Good Luck!

Believe it or not I have heard and have a friend whose dog had similar problems and responded well to prozac- talk to your vet! L