Natural Calming

[R_Z]

Well, I can't say about your Bailey, but our Bailey pretty much sleeps alot. I play with him early. We do lots of chase things and running so he gets some exercise. He takes a walk around the block and then we go upstairs to work. We is behind me now sound asleep. He's done that since we got him at 7 months. He's now around a year and four months. Within time, I'm sure your Bailey will learn to sleep and be comfortable while you're away.

[chandracz]

Does rescue remedy have to be given by a vet?

[yorkietalkjilly]

How old is he and how long have you had him?

Have you tried desensitizing him to his separation anxiety rather than dosing him with herbs or medication? Herbs are plants that can be medicinal in addition to smelling, feeling or tasting good. He could likely be desensitized to being alone and then could sleep, eat, play, watch during the day rather than have to lie about fuzzy-headed.

I would Google the term "Separation Anxiety" and look at the various training methods for the problem, going only with those that are positive-reinforcement and reward based and steering away from anything harsh or disciplinarian involving E-collars or anything that tended to spray the anxious dog's face or emit bad odors. Keeping your leaving completely low-key, matter-of-fact and without emotional goodbyes or guilt-ridden hugs/kisses and such will help a lot, too, just in case that is happening.

A few treat/kibble-laden kong toys and other things that would tend to help keep him busy for a while after you leave will help also. I leave the radio or audio-only portion of my TV on when I leave Tibbe alone. Like most dogs, after playing with his kibbled kong for a while, he watches out the windows, barks at threatening noises and sleeps most of the time I'm away. Dogs generally adjust to our being gone over time, even if we do nothing to help them in all but the most severe cases of separation anxiety.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by chandracz

Does rescue remedy have to be given by a vet?

No, Rescue Remedy is an all natural product that is available over the counter at most pet supply places. Amazon . com has it. They make it in different formulas for children, adults and pets.

[Connie]

I have found Comfort Zone to be amazing. Libby was never afraid of thunderstorms until she turned 3 years old. No reason that I can come up with...she just suddenly became terrified of them and other things like fireworks. I got her a thundershirt which seemed to help a little, but she was still very scared. I bought a bottle of spray Comfort Zone and if I spray a little of that in the room when there is a storm, she goes from being anxious and scared, to sleeping! This comes in either a spray or a diffuser which you plug into an outlet and I guess it just lets a little out every now and then. Here's a link to it on Amazon...for the diffuser...and if you look down that page, you will see the spray also. Comfort Zone with D.A.P. Diffuser for Dogs, 48... I did use this when she also was wearing her thundershirt. Next storm I'm going to try it without the thundershirt and see if that works.

[concretegurl]

I stopped using rescue remedy it had no effect for us.

I like Dogswell brand Mellow Mut chicken jerky.

[chandracz]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

How old is he and how long have you had him?

Have you tried desensitizing him to his separation anxiety rather than dosing him with herbs or medication? Herbs are plants that can be medicinal in addition to smelling, feeling or tasting good. He could likely be desensitized to being alone and then could sleep, eat, play, watch during the day rather than have to lie about fuzzy-headed.

I would Google the term "Separation Anxiety" and look at the various training methods for the problem, going only with those that are positive-reinforcement and reward based and steering away from anything harsh or disciplinarian involving E-collars or anything that tended to spray the anxious dog's face or emit bad odors. Keeping your leaving completely low-key, matter-of-fact and without emotional goodbyes or guilt-ridden hugs/kisses and such will help a lot, too, just in case that is happening.

A few treat/kibble-laden kong toys and other things that would tend to help keep him busy for a while after you leave will help also. I leave the radio or audio-only portion of my TV on when I leave Tibbe alone. Like most dogs, after playing with his kibbled kong for a while, he watches out the windows, barks at threatening noises and sleeps most of the time I'm away. Dogs generally adjust to our being gone over time, even if we do nothing to help them in all but the most severe cases of separation anxiety.

I have had him since he was 12 weeks old and he is now 8 years old. We have been through 4 trainers with no success. All the training I do is positive, I don't believe in hitting. I drop him off everyday at my mom's (since that's where I lived when I got him and he feels safe). I scoot him in the door without a hug, kiss or a word to him. When I or anyone else tries to leave he starts to go CRAZY with biting the ankles, running in circles and pacing. As he gets older he gets more moody. I just don't know what to do anymore. I have use a thundershirt because he is afraid of storms but that doesn't help. I have even given him xanyx and that doesn't work either. When he is in a mode of being anxious it seems like nothing works. I'm more and more worried the older he gets.

I will try to google some anxiety training and will give it a shot (as I am always willing to try something with him), but I feel like it will lead me to another dead end.

Tomorrow we go to the Vet for rabies and nail trim, so I am going to bring this up to the vet to see if he has any suggestions.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by chandracz

I have had him since he was 12 weeks old and he is now 8 years old. We have been through 4 trainers with no success. All the training I do is positive, I don't believe in hitting. I drop him off everyday at my mom's (since that's where I lived when I got him and he feels safe). I scoot him in the door without a hug, kiss or a word to him. When I or anyone else tries to leave he starts to go CRAZY with biting the ankles, running in circles and pacing. As he gets older he gets more moody. I just don't know what to do anymore. I have use a thundershirt because he is afraid of storms but that doesn't help. I have even given him xanyx and that doesn't work either. When he is in a mode of being anxious it seems like nothing works. I'm more and more worried the older he gets.

I will try to google some anxiety training and will give it a shot (as I am always willing to try something with him), but I feel like it will lead me to another dead end.

Tomorrow we go to the Vet for rabies and nail trim, so I am going to bring this up to the vet to see if he has any suggestions.

Have you tried exercising him a lot? Sometimes wearing off that excess anxiety can help. It is not a cure but a way of bringing down the anxiety level. It requires fast paced walks at least twice a day. It is possible to use a tread mill if you train him to use it and stay with him.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by chandracz

I have had him since he was 12 weeks old and he is now 8 years old. We have been through 4 trainers with no success. All the training I do is positive, I don't believe in hitting. I drop him off everyday at my mom's (since that's where I lived when I got him and he feels safe). I scoot him in the door without a hug, kiss or a word to him. When I or anyone else tries to leave he starts to go CRAZY with biting the ankles, running in circles and pacing. As he gets older he gets more moody. I just don't know what to do anymore. I have use a thundershirt because he is afraid of storms but that doesn't help. I have even given him xanyx and that doesn't work either. When he is in a mode of being anxious it seems like nothing works. I'm more and more worried the older he gets.

I will try to google some anxiety training and will give it a shot (as I am always willing to try something with him), but I feel like it will lead me to another dead end.

Tomorrow we go to the Vet for rabies and nail trim, so I am going to bring this up to the vet to see if he has any suggestions.

Usually a dog that is nervous and anxious either has no work to do or feels no sense that its person is the leader. This can create anxiety in a dog and make them extremely bossy and nervous when you or anyone wants to go away or they are faced with situations that make them unhappy.

Do you disagree with his behavior when he acts like that? Do you follow through and allow him to learn that you control the situation - every single time? I would try to become a stronger leader with him, reading all I could about the Nothing In Life Is Free way of dealing with a dog that is taking some control. Just Google that term and read about it.

I would read Tamar Geller's The Loved Dog. It's a wonderful book about how to gently take control of your misbehaving, nervous and insecure dog and do it with a loving purpose behind the training, knowing what you are trying to achieve and why it is so necessary when dealing with a problem dog. I am reading an audio book version of it and totally loving her ways as her philosophy of dog training is how I've always trained.

Giving your dog a job to do learning to follow your direction and obey you can help the most troublesome and misbehaving, scared dog. Separation anxiety is typical of a nervous, insecure dog who is looking for a stronger leader. The more insecure a dog is, the more he needs strong leadership. It seems wrong to humans to think this way but in the hierarchal world of dogs, if done gently(usually involving warning eye contact, body attitude, low growls, showing teeth and body contact or a nip that doesn't hurt) as alpha dogs and wolves in the wild are with their pack members, it keeps the problem pack member happier and more secure in the long run when he definitely knows his place in the hierarchy and that his pack leader is going to keep them all safe. I'm not saying to gently nip your baby or anything like that but dogs use the tools they have and wolves and dogs' pack leaders rarely fight or attack their underlings - they just warn and approach, stare, growl, snap, etc., to show the problem pack member they are misbehaving and that show of leadership and strength gets through to the misbehaving pack member and he shapes up, secure that he's cared for by a strong leader. As I say, it seems antithetical to human mores of how to treat insecurity but dogs get it and are happiest when they have a loving and strong leader that doesn't allow them to act out.

Anyway, see if you can't find that book and read up online on the NILIF method of dealing with your dog and then as the book directs, get working on your dog's problems gently and lovingly through a position of strength in his eyes. It will calm him right down over time unless he is ill or has physical problems. But you have to be consistent and not let him have an inch of misbehavior as you are dealing with his problems - but Ms. Geller will cover how to do that kindly and humanely, making a fun game of it all.

This method of dealing with behavior problems has worked for me for years and years and has helped a lot of serious anxiety issues. And most of all, the dogs love it.

[chandracz]

Originally Posted by gracielove

Have you tried exercising him a lot? Sometimes wearing off that excess anxiety can help. It is not a cure but a way of bringing down the anxiety level. It requires fast paced walks at least twice a day. It is possible to use a tread mill if you train him to use it and stay with him.

I would love to do that but I've been on modified bed rest for 3 years. I'm almost off it!!!

[chandracz]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Usually a dog that is nervous and anxious either has no work to do or feels no sense that its person is the leader. This can create anxiety in a dog and make them extremely bossy and nervous when you or anyone wants to go away or they are faced with situations that make them unhappy.

Do you disagree with his behavior when he acts like that? Do you follow through and allow him to learn that you control the situation - every single time? I would try to become a stronger leader with him, reading all I could about the Nothing In Life Is Free way of dealing with a dog that is taking some control. Just Google that term and read about it.

I would read Tamar Geller's The Loved Dog. It's a wonderful book about how to gently take control of your misbehaving, nervous and insecure dog and do it with a loving purpose behind the training, knowing what you are trying to achieve and why it is so necessary when dealing with a problem dog. I am reading an audio book version of it and totally loving her ways as her philosophy of dog training is how I've always trained.

Giving your dog a job to do learning to follow your direction and obey you can help the most troublesome and misbehaving, scared dog. Separation anxiety is typical of a nervous, insecure dog who is looking for a stronger leader. The more insecure a dog is, the more he needs strong leadership. It seems wrong to humans to think this way but in the hierarchal world of dogs, if done gently(usually involving warning eye contact, body attitude, low growls, showing teeth and body contact or a nip that doesn't hurt) as alpha dogs and wolves in the wild are with their pack members, it keeps the problem pack member happier and more secure in the long run when he definitely knows his place in the hierarchy and that his pack leader is going to keep them all safe. I'm not saying to gently nip your baby or anything like that but dogs use the tools they have and wolves and dogs' pack leaders rarely fight or attack their underlings - they just warn and approach, stare, growl, snap, etc., to show the problem pack member they are misbehaving and that show of leadership and strength gets through to the misbehaving pack member and he shapes up, secure that he's cared for by a strong leader. As I say, it seems antithetical to human mores of how to treat insecurity but dogs get it and are happiest when they have a loving and strong leader that doesn't allow them to act out.

Anyway, see if you can't find that book and read up online on the NILIF method of dealing with your dog and then as the book directs, get working on your dog's problems gently and lovingly through a position of strength in his eyes. It will calm him right down over time unless he is ill or has physical problems. But you have to be consistent and not let him have an inch of misbehavior as you are dealing with his problems - but Ms. Geller will cover how to do that kindly and humanely, making a fun game of it all.

This method of dealing with behavior problems has worked for me for years and years and has helped a lot of serious anxiety issues. And most of all, the dogs love it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write so much in your post. I will get the books tonight!!! Can I PM you if I have a question?

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by chandracz

Thank you so much for taking the time to write so much in your post. I will get the books tonight!!! Can I PM you if I have a question?

PM me anytime. Hope you enjoy the book and the fun training and watching your anxious baby begin to change as you become a benign, strong, patient leader who he can always trust and never fear anything in time, including you of course. He'll know you will always be there positive and strong for him, always gentle yet setting the boundaries he needs. Won't happen overnight and you will have setbacks but those are normal when working with an anxious, insecure dog but just do some of the NILIF program and read the book and start to work.