tooch Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Hello all :) I've got a lovely 3 year old Whippet girl named Izzy. For the most part, she's an absolutely lovely, affectionate, sensitive dog, as most Whippets are. She generally causes me no headaches at all, but in the last month or two, she seems to have developed some kind of separation anxiety. A few times (not every day, only randomly) I've come home to find the front door has been scratched at, or the wooden blinds chewed on. When I get home though, she's almost always sleeping/curled up on the couch, and slowly and seemingly calmly gets up and comes to the door. At first, I put it down to a change in my work schedule. I went from working full time to a bit of a slowdown, and at the moment I'm only working part time and often have 3-4 days off work, then back on for several days. I'd come home after work, and find the front door had been licked and scratched at, and the blinds damaged. I immediately went out and bought her a Kong toy which I stuff with her favourite foods, and started leaving music on for her during the day. I also have been making a very conscious effort to have very low-key departures and arrivals, and closed the blinds which she'd been chewing at. I also bought a DAP diffuser which I plugged in near the couch where she spends most of her time (near the front door and blinds in question). Before I or my wife leave the house, we give her the Kong (which she excitedly takes outside and begins work on), and she seems more than happy, and not concerned with us leaving. This all seemed to calm her down a bit, and she'd go days without doing any damage. But occasionally it still occurs, like today. The drooling/licking seems to have stopped or at least settled down, but the occasional scratching at the door/chewing at the blinds still occurs from time to time. Looking at the damage, it doesn't look like she spends very long doing it, as I'm sure if she really went at it for hours, they'd be far more damaged than they are. In terms of her general attachment to us, she's fine if one of us are at home, either my wife or myself. She doesn't get anxious if one of us is out, just as long as someone is home. She's also not overly clingy for a whippet, if I'm at home, she's more than happy to be in another room sleeping or playing, and will occasionally check up on me. When we're getting ready to leave, she doesn't appear 'overly' stressed, but will watch us with the typical whippet 'Y u do this?' woe-face, but won't bark, pant, or stand right by my leg. All of these things, and the random and relatively minor damage she causes, make me think that it's probably not 'full blown' SA yet at least, and maybe more of an isolation distress? She gets daily walks, before work whenever possible, but 1-2 days per week on average I start at 5am, and my wife leaves around 7-7:30am, meaning walks before leaving are not really practical. Not to mention, Izzy is normally still in (our) bed at that time of morning :laugh: She has free run of the house (is this a problem?), with a doggy door to allow her free run of the small courtyard too. Her housetraining is perfect, she never has accidents in the house at all. I'm a bit lost as to what my next step should be. It's causing me huge anxiety (probably worse than Izzy is experiencing!), and makes me feel sick to the stomach all day worrying about her. I'm not worried about the damage, I can paint the door and replace the cheap blinds, I just worry for poor Izzy. I've been doing way too much google research, which stresses me and confuses me more. I'm considering maybe consulting a behaviour specialist to advise me what to do next? Sorry about the essay, and thanks in advance for any guidance :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooch Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 I should also add, when she was younger she showed a similar problem. We used to leave her confined (only while at work and at night) to the laundry and back yard, with the doggy door allowing her to go in and out. As she got a bit older she started scratching at the door and drooling, and so we decided to try giving her access to the whole house, as we thought she may have been bored and not comfortable enough. This seemed to work for ages, she seemed much more happy and didn't cause any trouble until recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascalmyshadow Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Are you sure it is actually separation anxiety and there's not something scaring her when your not around. I have lived with a few dogs with separation anxiety and it is not usually so random. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) tooch, we had a sheltie who'd chew the sunroom cushions when everyone was out. We got great advice from a University of Qld vet behaviourist. And to my amazement, it worked & I started to see the changes very soon. I'll go thro' your account of your experience again. On my first reading, your Izzy's behaviours seems just like Shelley's. I'll post later the basics we had to do ... a bit long, but they're easy to do. I understand your anxiety. But the program we were given actually gave proactive steps that made me feel less helpless. Edited December 3, 2013 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) I was wondering whether someone has come and knocked on your door, and maybe even tried to peer through the windows or make a twat of themselves and deliberately try to scare your dog for barking behind the door. Or a cat perhaps teasing her at the windows, mewing at the door. Or have there been any works or building going on around your street that might be causing unusual or loud noises. Is the dog ever generally noise phobic. Maybe also double check with neighbours your dog hasn't been causing any noise disturbances whilst you are away from home. Edited December 3, 2013 by skyefool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooch Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) Are you sure it is actually separation anxiety and there's not something scaring her when your not around. I have lived with a few dogs with separation anxiety and it is not usually so random. This is what I'm not so sure about. I considered the possibility that it may have been a noise or suspicious behaviour that caused it. tooch, we had a sheltie who'd chew the sunroom cushions when everyone was out. We got great advice from a University of Qld vet behaviourist. And to my amazement, it worked & I started to see the changes very soon. I'll go thro' your account of your experience again. On my first reading, your Izzy's behaviours seems just like Shelley's. I'll post later the basics we had to do ... a bit long, but they're easy to do. I understand your anxiety. But the program we were given actually gave proactive steps that made me feel less helpless. Thanks mita, that would be great if you could :) I was wondering whether someone has come and knocked on your door, and maybe even tried to peer through the windows or make a twat of themselves and deliberately try to scare your dog for barking behind the door. Or a cat perhaps teasing her at the windows, mewing at the door. Or have there been any works or building going on around your street that might be causing unusual or loud noises. Is the dog ever generally noise phobic. Maybe also double check with neighbours your dog hasn't been causing any noise disturbances whilst you are away from home. As above, I have considered this. We do get door to door salespeople around here from time to time, and there have been a few new houses built nearby and neighbours doing renovations. The building works have mostly ceased now though. She is somewhat noise phobic like a lot of whippets, easily scared by bangs and crashes or shouting. She really hates thunderstorms. I might ask my neighbours when I see them next, although they are usually out during the day. Edited December 3, 2013 by tooch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 I was wondering whether someone has come and knocked on your door, and maybe even tried to peer through the windows or make a twat of themselves and deliberately try to scare your dog for barking behind the door. Or a cat perhaps teasing her at the windows, mewing at the door. Or have there been any works or building going on around your street that might be causing unusual or loud noises. Is the dog ever generally noise phobic. Maybe also double check with neighbours your dog hasn't been causing any noise disturbances whilst you are away from home. My thoughts are along ths line too... separation anxiety isn't random as far as I'm aware... Do any of the new neighbours have a cat? I'm thinking this may be the likely culprit that is setting your dog off - and she's just trying to get at it when it comes visiting... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankdog Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 In the meantime the Dane rescue website, to which I cannot post a link because of my technophobia, has a really good program for separation anxiety. Has worked with my dog who used to be inconsolable even if left with other family members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooch Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 I was wondering whether someone has come and knocked on your door, and maybe even tried to peer through the windows or make a twat of themselves and deliberately try to scare your dog for barking behind the door. Or a cat perhaps teasing her at the windows, mewing at the door. Or have there been any works or building going on around your street that might be causing unusual or loud noises. Is the dog ever generally noise phobic. Maybe also double check with neighbours your dog hasn't been causing any noise disturbances whilst you are away from home. My thoughts are along ths line too... separation anxiety isn't random as far as I'm aware... Do any of the new neighbours have a cat? I'm thinking this may be the likely culprit that is setting your dog off - and she's just trying to get at it when it comes visiting... T. I've only seen one cat around here, and haven't seen him in quite a while. Maybe there could be a new one around though. In the meantime the Dane rescue website, to which I cannot post a link because of my technophobia, has a really good program for separation anxiety. Has worked with my dog who used to be inconsolable even if left with other family members. Thanks, I'll take a look :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 http://www.greatdanerescue.com.au/Docs/separation_anxiety_seperation_training.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 It doesn't sound like typical separation anxiety behaviour. It could perhaps be more boredom related. Besides the Kong do you leave any other enrichment toys or food puzzles for her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Any chance you could set up some sort of spy cam, maybe focused on her favourite couch, to keep watch while you are out? If you could work out what is triggering the panic attacks then a tailor-made desensitisation plan can be worked out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emgem Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 An audio recording would work as well. I use a free computer app, audacity, randomly to check how much noise Olle is making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooch Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 (edited) Thanks all! I gave that Dane rescue article a read, and I've already started putting some of the tips into place, such as the NILIF principles. I figure they can't hurt even if SA is not the problem. I did a small test just now, I went for a 10-12 minute drive, and put the video camera on. Izzy was on the couch when I left, and I put the radio on for her as I usually do, but didn't give her the Kong toy this time. In the 11 minutes of video, I see a very relaxed whippet laying on the couch with her head down. She barely moves at all the whole time, except to pop her head up and look around when she hears me leave, or when a loud car goes by. Then she gets up when I get back home and open the door. Makes me think that maybe it is a boredom related thing, or a reaction to something else as mentioned above? I'd have thought if it were proper anxiety, it'd start straight away. Thoughts? Edited December 4, 2013 by tooch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosetta Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 I don't think it is SA. She is probably bored and needing something to occupy her or she has reacted to something outside such as someone knocking at the door. It might help if you could confine her away from the front of the house so she can't see out. Baby gates are great for that purpose I find :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooch Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 Thanks :) I was thinking of maybe confining her to the other half of the house. She has the choice of 2x human beds or her own bed, and soon to be another couch when I finish my other spare room, so she would still have access to plenty of comfort. As for the boredom thing, maybe I need to invest in more puzzle toys or some DIY ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 (edited) did a small test just now, I went for a 10-12 minute drive, and put the video camera on. Izzy was on the couch when I left, and I put the radio on for her as I usually do, but didn't give her the Kong toy this time. In the 11 minutes of video, I see a very relaxed whippet laying on the couch with her head down. She barely moves at all the whole time, except to pop her head up and look around when she hears me leave, or when a loud car goes by. Then she gets up when I get back home and open the door. It'd be good to get on video exactly when she does her chewing thing. Our sheltie didn't spend the entire time she was alone chewing the cushions. She'd have a burst & demolish one on a particular sofa chair in the sunroom. Interestingly, the first thing the vet behaviorist asked us, was exactly what she chewed, because that would tell something. When we said it was a cushion/cushions on a particular chair, the vet asked who usually sat there. Me.... it was my chair. The vet pointed out that it had my scent on it... & a person's scent is a bit like that person's presence to a dog. So, she said, Shelly was specially attached to me... & her destroying that cushion was a 'demand' that I should be with her. And that became what the program to 'fix' was around & why it eventually worked. So, does Izzy chew lots of different things... or are the same things chewed every time? And, if they're the same, do you reckon that's telling anything about what's going on in her doggie head? Like, if it's blinds & the door, would it be about your coming & going... & being 'out there' somewhere? Just wondering. Edited December 4, 2013 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooch Posted December 5, 2013 Author Share Posted December 5, 2013 did a small test just now, I went for a 10-12 minute drive, and put the video camera on. Izzy was on the couch when I left, and I put the radio on for her as I usually do, but didn't give her the Kong toy this time. In the 11 minutes of video, I see a very relaxed whippet laying on the couch with her head down. She barely moves at all the whole time, except to pop her head up and look around when she hears me leave, or when a loud car goes by. Then she gets up when I get back home and open the door. It'd be good to get on video exactly when she does her chewing thing. Our sheltie didn't spend the entire time she was alone chewing the cushions. She'd have a burst & demolish one on a particular sofa chair in the sunroom. Interestingly, the first thing the vet behaviorist asked us, was exactly what she chewed, because that would tell something. When we said it was a cushion/cushions on a particular chair, the vet asked who usually sat there. Me.... it was my chair. The vet pointed out that it had my scent on it... & a person's scent is a bit like that person's presence to a dog. So, she said, Shelly was specially attached to me... & her destroying that cushion was a 'demand' that I should be with her. And that became what the program to 'fix' was around & why it eventually worked. So, does Izzy chew lots of different things... or are the same things chewed every time? And, if they're the same, do you reckon that's telling anything about what's going on in her doggie head? Like, if it's blinds & the door, would it be about your coming & going... & being 'out there' somewhere? Just wondering. Mita, it's literally only the blinds and door, she doesn't touch the furniture or anything else. This was the thing which made me straight away think that it was SA. It's just the other factors that don't seem typical of SA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hankdog Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 (edited) Jake used to go nuts at the window that looks out to the garage so I put his beanbag there and always leave a chewy thing. This week I've left him for half and hour everyday on his own. When I get home he's always curled up and comfy and yesterday he didn't even wake up. Is the blind she's chewing blocking sight of your leaving direction? If she can see out maybe she won't chew the blind? Although it might wind her up more? Can go either way with dogs can't it? Edited December 5, 2013 by hankdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoony Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 (edited) To nut out the issues with one of mine, a combo of excitement, some bordem and a bit of SA I think leading to escaping/trying to escape, howling etc I found a cheap ebay IP camera invaluable. My Dog's stay outside during the day but it allowed me to see exactly what was going on remotely (via computer or on your phone). So for your type of issue allows to see what's going anytime, for how long, triggers etc. Something like http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tenvis-IPROBOT3-Silver-H-264-Megapixel-HD-WIFI-PTZ-IP-Camera-Night-Vision-NEW-/271315401510?pt=AU_Home_Personal_Security&hash=item3f2ba87b26&_uhb=1 They have pan and tilt and can be remotely controlled so can cover a wide area. Edited December 5, 2013 by Spoony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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