Help With Separation Anxiety

[mantis]

The man in the unit next to me has a lovely Whippet, but he suffers badly from SA. When his owner goes out he howls the place down, I do what I can, by giving him treats & talking to him.

Some of the other people at the units have threatened to let him out, to find a new owner.

His owner is like me, older & suffers depression so doesn't need the extra strain of people saying they will let his dog loose.

He adores this dog & before he started suffering depression, he used to breed Staffies, so knows how to look after dogs.

Any help would be appreciated, he can't afford a behaviourist.

[Jellyblush]

A thundershirt? Only about $35 and they do help some dogs. Otherwise food dispensing toys or a DAP collar?

[mantis]

A thundershirt? Only about $35 and they do help some dogs. Otherwise food dispensing toys or a DAP collar?

I have given him a kong, but that doesn't work for long. I have also given him a tug rope

& ball, he destroyed that in about 15 minutes.

[YOLO]

You could try playing the radio, it supposedly helps although I have no direct experience.

Depending on the age, the best thing is another dog to play with.

I don’t really like to suggest it, but I know that many vets would suggest medication…

[tdierikx]

Does his dog get on with yours? Play dates when he goes out maybe?

T.

[Rosetta]

Is the dog kept outside the unit? How would it be possible for the neighbours to let it out? Separation Anxiety is difficult to manage if you don't have financial resources - medication is just as expensive as behaviourists. He could try the more natural remedies that contain tryptophan - they are relatively inexpensive you can get a supplement at the chemist or pet stores I think it is called "Tranquil"? Otherwise he could work on the behavioural programs around gradual separation etc - there is plenty on here if you do a search or the internet has heaps of structured programs. Has he had the dog for long?

[Nekhbet]

tranquil paste its a horse supplement.

Why don't you have the dog over at your place while he's out?

[mantis]

The owner leaves the back door open so he can go in & out when he likes. That's good,, because like last night I was able to go over & give him some food & top up his water.

I'm not sure how he would get on with my dog, because he is hyper & he is legs are so thin, I'm scared Cougar might break him if she decided to play.

[tdierikx]

It's amazing how some larger dogs work out the best way to play with a smaller and more delicate friend... check how Harper plays with her 3kg little friend...

T.

[mantis]

It's amazing how some larger dogs work out the best way to play with a smaller and more delicate friend... check how Harper plays with her 3kg little friend...

T.

I know that Kenny used to drop when his Maltese X girlfriend used to come & play with him. I guess I'm a bit paranoid now because of BSL & terrified to put Cougar at risk.

Yes I know it's my fear that stops her playing with smaller dogs, if she was younger I'd probably try it, but because she's an older dog, I don't want to risk it. I guess I have too many memories of what Kenny went through.