Calming Mild Separation Anxiety

[ruthless]

When I go back to work in 2wks it'll be 8wks since the dogs were left on their own outside for the whole day. Last year Chopper barked for the entire day when we went back to work. We've since moved house and the new neighbours have complained about the dogs barking. They didn't follow up with the complaint, but they may if it happens again. If I can use something to calm them for the first week I'm sure they'll settle back into the routine again. I was talking to someone about Clomicalm but they said they heard it needed to be used for a while for it to be effective. Would it be safe to use an antihistamine [sp?] like Phenurgen for the first few days?

For the record this isn't my only line of defence. They are walked for an hour in the morning and then they chase the ball for 20mins. They are given Rescue Remedy and are left with their breakfast and either a bone/kong/everlasting treatball/rawhide to keep them entertained. I also don't make a fuss when I'm leaving or coming home. I've read a lot about SA and I'm not really sure what else I could be doing to resolve the issue.

ETA I use the term Separation Anxiety as I don't know what else to call it. I realise it's probably not the correct term for this issue.

Edited January 10, 2008 by ruthless

[haven]

I'd forget the Clomicalm and I'm not sure an antihistimie would do you any good either although for a few days it wouldn't hurt.

DAP is probably your best option. The other stuff you have planned is great also. It wouldn't hurt to start supplementing now with things like Magnesium, Copper, B and C Vitamins, all of which are important in how the body deals with stress.

Theres a spray caled Nervatona made by Brauer (also comes in tablet form) that I've had a lot of success with also, very handy to have around as it's easy to administer, safe to use and works very quickly. I often carry some at training and offer it to owners who dogs are particularly excited, anxious or stressed and almost all of the owners who have used it for their dogs have reported good results.

If you currently spend a lot of time with your dogs while on holidays it's probably a good idea to start getting them used to you being away or at least unavailable for short -> longer periods of time now.

If you can get someone to check in on the dogs and play with or walk them a little on the first few days you might find it helps to keep them out of trouble.

If your neighbours are reasonable (as so few seem to be), pay them a visit and let them know you anticipate some trouble just for the first few days. Let them know what you are doing to prevent it and they will hopefully be a little more understanding of any barking that does occur.

[Athena GSD]

Sounds like you are doing all the right things regarding behaviour.

Phenergan is a human drug and I would not recommend using it on dogs. It does not make them less anxious just tired (if it has any effect at all).

There are some new drugs on the market but I do not know how well they work. One is "behave paste" a mineral supplement and the other is "anxiety homeopet" (sort of like an animal rescue remedy). I think they have a web site if you google "homeopet" you should find it.

I would try and find WHY they bark (for example can they see the neighbours, other dogs or cats, or people passing your property).

The other thing would be to get a behaviourist to assess your dogs at home and see if they can help.

GOOD LUCK

[haven]

Phenergan is a human drug and I would not recommend using it on dogs. It does not make them less anxious just tired (if it has any effect at all).

Phenergan is fine according to my Vet who recommended I try it for my dogs when their allergies flare up (works a treat, never had any problems).

I agree with your summation of the likely result though.

[ruthless]

I'd forget the Clomicalm and I'm not sure an antihistimie would do you any good either although for a few days it wouldn't hurt.

DAP is probably your best option. The other stuff you have planned is great also. It wouldn't hurt to start supplementing now with things like Magnesium, Copper, B and C Vitamins, all of which are important in how the body deals with stress.

I thought DAP only came in a plug in or a collar. It's an outside run with a clam shell, so neither is suitable, is it?

Theres a spray caled Nervatona made by Brauer (also comes in tablet form) that I've had a lot of success with also, very handy to have around as it's easy to administer, safe to use and works very quickly. I often carry some at training and offer it to owners who dogs are particularly excited, anxious or stressed and almost all of the owners who have used it for their dogs have reported good results.

I'll check it out, thanks.

If you currently spend a lot of time with your dogs while on holidays it's probably a good idea to start getting them used to you being away or at least unavailable for short -> longer periods of time now.

That's the plan. They have spent a certain amount of time on there own while I've been off, but never in their runs.

If you can get someone to check in on the dogs and play with or walk them a little on the first few days you might find it helps to keep them out of trouble.

If your neighbours are reasonable (as so few seem to be), pay them a visit and let them know you anticipate some trouble just for the first few days. Let them know what you are doing to prevent it and they will hopefully be a little more understanding of any barking that does occur.

There's no one I could ask to check in on them, but I may get a dogwalker if they can guarantee to come at a specific time in the afternoon. No point taking them out just after I've left.

We don't talk to these neighbours. We were busy when we moved in and didn't get a chance to introduce ourselves. 3wks later there was a note from the ranger. They never came and spoke to us. Not very neighbourly IMO.

Sounds like you are doing all the right things regarding behaviour.

Phenergan is a human drug and I would not recommend using it on dogs. It does not make them less anxious just tired (if it has any effect at all).

There are some new drugs on the market but I do not know how well they work. One is "behave paste" a mineral supplement and the other is "anxiety homeopet" (sort of like an animal rescue remedy). I think they have a web site if you google "homeopet" you should find it.

I would try and find WHY they bark (for example can they see the neighbours, other dogs or cats, or people passing your property).

The other thing would be to get a behaviourist to assess your dogs at home and see if they can help.

GOOD LUCK

When we moved here [sept] we built dog runs to separate the staffies. They'd been fighting a bit, never really bad, but a couple of vet visits were required. I wanted them apart so they didn't do any more damage to each other. It's possible the barking is caused by boredom and frustration. They can't see any other dogs, but nearly every house has one and I guess each of them bark on occasion, maybe sparking off the others.

We've taken the divider out of the dog run to see if Chopper and Angel can co-exist in peace. Maybe having eachother to play with will help also.

For the next 2wks I'm going to put them in their runs with their e-collars on and pretend to go out a few times a day. If they bark I can use the collars to stop them. I should also be able to figure out what's causing them to bark.

Bloody dogs, eh?!

[haven]

DAP also comes in a spray, whether or not you can easily get it at the moment I don't know. Vet that got me onto it also suggested you could simply open up the plug in canister and use it on your dogs fur, or on a bandana around their neck etc. Never has the necessity to try it personally though, so I don't know if it would still be as successful.