Calming aids???
 

Lexi has always had a mild case of separation anxiety. I know she barks some when we leave her, but it has never been a major concern because we live in a house where the neighbors can't hear her. In January I started volunteering at a local school for just a couple hours, Tuesday/Thursday only, while my son is in 3K. This wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for the fact that my husband is working nights (not getting home until about 1am) so he usually gets up to see our son for an hour since he will leave for work before my son and I get home. Then when we leave, he goes back to bed for about an hour before he has to start getting ready for work again. The dogs are put in their large gated off area when my son and I leave, and Lexi will start barking right after we leave making it nearly impossible for my husband to fall asleep. He even got earplugs, but that is not really helping. Surprisingly Lexi didn't bark at all last Tuesday, but that didn't last. Today she was barking again. I looked into calming aids online, but I'm not really too optimistic on how well they actually work. Has anyone here ever tried any of them? If they worked, which brand did you try?


Nutri-Vet Pet Ease Chicken Dog Wafers at PETCO - This is one I was looking at.

I haven't had much luck with any of the "calming aids" I've used. Is Lexi food driven by chance? If so, have you tried leaving her with any puzzle treat toys?

Unfortunately, treats wouldn't work. I can leave treats sitting out in plain view and she wouldn't touch them (until I get home). Parker, my 7 month old Shih Tzu, has zero separation anxiety. When we put the camera down there we watched Parker just play with the toys without a care in the world, meanwhile Lexi is pacing around barking/howling for about 30 minutes to an hour until she finally gives up and lays down. She turned 1 in December and I thought she would have adjusted to being left at home by now.

Would she bark if she was put in the bedroom with him?

Had the same idea. I am sure she is lonely and knows he is just right there in the next room. If I were your husband, I would plop her right in bed. She might just snuggle right down and go back to sleep with him.

I would have them in the bedroom with your husband. Otherwise, you may want to try the Bark Genie as it works very well for some dogs.

Bought the bark genie a while back, and doesn't work for either dog. Never actually thought to have them sleep upstairs with my husband. Not sure if it would work, but I guess we could give it a try. I would just be worried that they would want to play and not sleep. My hubby is working days next week, so when he goes back to nights we will have to try it out. Thanks everyone!

Let us know how it goes.