It's mostly my own fault (spoiled rotten dog), but my brat's separation anxiety has reached a tipping point. For quite some time, she's 9 years old (I've had her 8 years), it's been manageable (but a pain in the ass).
Before I'd leave, I would set her up with some busy treats (stuffed into bones or toys). There would be whining, but she'd settle down, and when I returned she'd be fine. No peeing/pooping/destroyed items, etc., and everything was hunky-dory.
This started changing 3-4 months ago. I hurt my back, and right now it's difficult to drive. Actually, it's difficult to get into my 4X4 SUV. So instead of me leaving, and the brat hearing the car start up and drive away, she sees me through the window waiting for my ride.
It started with more whining, irritating, but no big deal. Then she started scratching at the front door. Again, irritating, but no real damage done. Then about 2 weeks ago, I came home to a big mess: she obviously tried to get to 2 different widows, knocking over a bunch of crap and ripping one of the drapes. "Damage" was negligible, but I was afraid she would try to run through the window and get cut by glass or get loose & get hit by a car, etc...
So the next step, I started putting her in my office and shutting the door. Again, with the busy treats. She went in willing and happy, there was some whining, she did scratch at the door, but nothing big (so I thought). Then Saturday, I had to leave for an hour and when I came back, she was in the living room! WTF, she can open door now? Nope. She somehow scratched/gnawed her way through the door. From about knee level down, it's all jagged, like a shark, lol (although it's not funny now).
WTF, dog! I do have a kennel, but haven't used it in over 7 years or so. She took to kennel training quick, my main objective on that was peeing/pooping and making a mess of things when I was gone. It didn't take long, and I haven't used it since. Also, towards the end, she started biting the grate in an attempt to get out. So while I could put her in there again, I'd rather not. For the time being, I'll put her in the bathroom. Not much for her to destroy there. Famous last words, lol
Yes, it took a long time to get here, but here's where the advice comes in: going to the vet and getting drugs is the last resort. Kenneling on a regular basis, is the 2nd to the last resort. I live in a small town in the middle of no where, so hiring a trainer/dog whisperer would be hard/next to impossible.
Have done a lot of reading on the internet and looking for feedback on a couple of things to try: Thunder Jacket and/or some of those pheromone-based "calming" (DAP - dog appeasing pheromone) remedies. Adaptil is one brand, but there are several. I don't have a problem trying more than one remedy, like a Thunder Jacket and an Adaptil collar at the same time. What I like about these two, is that there are no known side effects. I've even read that a citronella collar can be useful in this situation, even though that sounds counter intuitive to me
Anybody have any experience with these? Thanks in advance!
Before I'd leave, I would set her up with some busy treats (stuffed into bones or toys). There would be whining, but she'd settle down, and when I returned she'd be fine. No peeing/pooping/destroyed items, etc., and everything was hunky-dory.
This started changing 3-4 months ago. I hurt my back, and right now it's difficult to drive. Actually, it's difficult to get into my 4X4 SUV. So instead of me leaving, and the brat hearing the car start up and drive away, she sees me through the window waiting for my ride.
It started with more whining, irritating, but no big deal. Then she started scratching at the front door. Again, irritating, but no real damage done. Then about 2 weeks ago, I came home to a big mess: she obviously tried to get to 2 different widows, knocking over a bunch of crap and ripping one of the drapes. "Damage" was negligible, but I was afraid she would try to run through the window and get cut by glass or get loose & get hit by a car, etc...
So the next step, I started putting her in my office and shutting the door. Again, with the busy treats. She went in willing and happy, there was some whining, she did scratch at the door, but nothing big (so I thought). Then Saturday, I had to leave for an hour and when I came back, she was in the living room! WTF, she can open door now? Nope. She somehow scratched/gnawed her way through the door. From about knee level down, it's all jagged, like a shark, lol (although it's not funny now).
WTF, dog! I do have a kennel, but haven't used it in over 7 years or so. She took to kennel training quick, my main objective on that was peeing/pooping and making a mess of things when I was gone. It didn't take long, and I haven't used it since. Also, towards the end, she started biting the grate in an attempt to get out. So while I could put her in there again, I'd rather not. For the time being, I'll put her in the bathroom. Not much for her to destroy there. Famous last words, lol
Yes, it took a long time to get here, but here's where the advice comes in: going to the vet and getting drugs is the last resort. Kenneling on a regular basis, is the 2nd to the last resort. I live in a small town in the middle of no where, so hiring a trainer/dog whisperer would be hard/next to impossible.
Have done a lot of reading on the internet and looking for feedback on a couple of things to try: Thunder Jacket and/or some of those pheromone-based "calming" (DAP - dog appeasing pheromone) remedies. Adaptil is one brand, but there are several. I don't have a problem trying more than one remedy, like a Thunder Jacket and an Adaptil collar at the same time. What I like about these two, is that there are no known side effects. I've even read that a citronella collar can be useful in this situation, even though that sounds counter intuitive to me
Anybody have any experience with these? Thanks in advance!
