mmatsup

Perhaps she is being over indulged with your attention.....she was left on her own very much at all. Thanks very much for those suggestions Erny. I will be consulting with a behavioural trainer and will look into both the programs you mentioned when we return from holiday. I figure anything we try to put on place before we leave will go down the tube in our absence. Once again many thanks.

Three weeks ago we got a 6 yo female staffy who is going through similar separation anxiety. She had been raised since a pup with the family we got her from, they had moved house 2 weeks before with no reaction from Candy, who is a very placid dog, except when we leave her. We take her with us whenever we can but if this is not possible, she chews chunks of wood off our window frames & french doors. I have considered putting a muzzle on her for short periods of time but it seems so cruel. Candy similarly shows no interest in toys, kong, food, etc, at these times and we leave the TV on so she can hear it. We can tie her up on a running wire but she howls & wails like a banshee. She's not overly fond of other dogs so getting a mate is not the answer. She is not an inside dog but gets walked every day & receives plenty of attention and is, in other ways, very obedient, gentle & a wonderful pet who loves people of all ages. I am getting desperate & considering some type of sedative as we are going overseas for 3 weeks soon and she will be in a boarding kennel. I hate to see her so stressed and would be very grateful for any advice anyone can offer. The previous owners said Candy has never behaved like this before.