Separation Anxiety

[Lolasmom1211]

I also want you to know that when there is something to get excited about - a squirrel, the yardmen, another dog, etc., Nash still gets every bit as excited as he used to get. He just does not get as anxious and worked up when I have to leave him. The good, fun part of Nash is still alive and well!

[yorkiemini]

If the medication dose is correct she will not be a zombie and have weird behavior. The medication will help calm her brain and slow it to slow,down so she she can cope better.

Prozac is a drug that has to be given pretty consistently for it to work. There are other drugs that you can use only when you need to because it sounds like she is fine when you are with her.

It sounds like you may be feeling guilty - dogs pick up on our emotions and will reflect those feelings. Most of us have to leave our pups sometime so don't feel guilty about it. You have provided her with a safe place while you are gone.

Right after my Cali was attacked by a hawk she went through a terrible and saddening time with terrible anxiety. I used xanax only at the times she needed it - she could still play and listen to me and function. Most dogs don't eat when they are anxious. It took quite a while but we no longer need the medication. The point being - the medication did not hurt her, did not make her a zombie, but did allow her to not be so miserable and sad. With time and lots of patients it can improve.

Good luck, wishing you all the best as you work through this issue. You are such a good Yorkie mommy for taking such good care of her and caring about her feeling!

[jmcconv]

Morning update - can't even get out of the house initially. I am sitting on the couch crying with a dog barking at me. I keep trying to explain what I mean when I say she will not let me out. I took a video that ill share as soon as I figure out how to upload. I am trying to ignore her, but it's difficult. I tried to give her her desoquin to get her to stay like I did yesterday but she spit it back out at me. She is now guarding the door in her thunder shirt and making the most pathetic crying noises at me. I think I'm going to have to take her to work again. I feel like I'm giving in to her but I don't know what else to do. I have to call the vet today and take this stupid shirt back.

[windwalker]

Crate or pen her when you leave, you need to deal with this now as it can lead to other behavior problems if not. Crate her before you start your leaving preps, her favorite toy. I would get her used to the crate again before using it for leaving, never throw her in the crate. Use a cookie or toy to get her to go in by herself, saying some word such as "Crate", after a few times, close the door for a few minutes, increasing time till she gets used to it. After a few days, crate her for short trips to store or whatever.


Force yourself to get up early, and walk her for 30 minutes, crate her, get your shoes on, say "I'll be back" and go. She will whine but get used to it in a few days and go to sleep. Make sure the Crate/Pen is big enough, 3'x2' or more.


This is not a dog problem, the dog is feeding off you even if you do not realize it. Many bad Dog actions develop over time as a result of some sub conscious human action, the human does not even know they are doing it. Find a trainer that knows and deals with separation issues. It can be fixed if you want to fix it, but ignoring it can lead to serious other problems.


If you want to "Med" it (Bad Idea IMO), have Vet show you how to insert pill and start swallow action. Dogs are not born with Separation Anxiety, they develop it from their owners

[jmcconv]

I appreciate the advice, but I'm not willing to crate Roxie for 9 hours a day. She was crate trained when she was younger and after she turned 2 we stopped using it. She likes to wander around the house and find sunny spots and look out of the windows while I am at work. I think that crating her now after not for 6 years would be more stressful for her. That may make me a bad dog owner, but I don't really care - I like her to be able to entertain herself. I know that this is a temporary problem while she gets used to the new house, which is why I'm okay with trying medication, especially if it's short term. I take full responsibility for "making" her this way. I was never allowed to have pets until my parents gave in and let me get her at 15. She is the cutest, sweetest thing ever and maybe I've loved her too much. But she has stayed home by herself while I've been at school/work before, and she will do it again.
Roxie can walk for miles and act tired but then spring up and get super energetic when she is afraid that I am leaving. We haven't even been in the new house a week, so I am seeing what the vet has to say. Although I am not the biggest fan of medicating for everything, medication was created for a reason and there are some dogs (and people) that benefit from its use.

[Lolasmom1211]

Originally Posted by windwalker

Crate or pen her when you leave, you need to deal with this now as it can lead to other behavior problems if not. Crate her before you start your leaving preps, her favorite toy. I would get her used to the crate again before using it for leaving, never throw her in the crate. Use a cookie or toy to get her to go in by herself, saying some word such as "Crate", after a few times, close the door for a few minutes, increasing time till she gets used to it. After a few days, crate her for short trips to store or whatever.


Force yourself to get up early, and walk her for 30 minutes, crate her, get your shoes on, say "I'll be back" and go. She will whine but get used to it in a few days and go to sleep. Make sure the Crate/Pen is big enough, 3'x2' or more.


This is not a dog problem, the dog is feeding off you even if you do not realize it. Many bad Dog actions develop over time as a result of some sub conscious human action, the human does not even know they are doing it. Find a trainer that knows and deals with separation issues. It can be fixed if you want to fix it, but ignoring it can lead to serious other problems.


If you want to "Med" it (Bad Idea IMO), have Vet show you how to insert pill and start swallow action. Dogs are not born with Separation Anxiety, they develop it from their owners

I respectfully disagree with you. I have been seeing an animal behaviorist for 2 years with my rescue. There are very few board certified animal behaviorists in the country (approximately 50) and for sure very few in Texas. She is a board certified veterinarian that went back and added 2-3 years of rigorous, advanced training program in behavior specialty - much like human psychology. Crating is not the answer for anxiety and can make the problem worse. Each case needs to be looked at and dealt with. Some anxiety disorders are most definitely in an animals genetic make-up. I think in this case your pups problem may be increased by crating her. Just my opinion, I'm certainly no expert. I would consult a vet I trusted and/or a behaviorist, not necessarily a trainer. This problem, unfortunately, may continue to get worse. My Nash's did until I sought professional help. He is now doing fine. Good luck.

[Lolasmom1211]

Originally Posted by jmcconv

I appreciate the advice, but I'm not willing to crate Roxie for 9 hours a day. She was crate trained when she was younger and after she turned 2 we stopped using it. She likes to wander around the house and find sunny spots and look out of the windows while I am at work. I think that crating her now after not for 6 years would be more stressful for her. That may make me a bad dog owner, but I don't really care - I like her to be able to entertain herself. I know that this is a temporary problem while she gets used to the new house, which is why I'm okay with trying medication, especially if it's short term. I take full responsibility for "making" her this way. I was never allowed to have pets until my parents gave in and let me get her at 15. She is the cutest, sweetest thing ever and maybe I've loved her too much. But she has stayed home by herself while I've been at school/work before, and she will do it again.
Roxie can walk for miles and act tired but then spring up and get super energetic when she is afraid that I am leaving. We haven't even been in the new house a week, so I am seeing what the vet has to say. Although I am not the biggest fan of medicating for everything, medication was created for a reason and there are some dogs (and people) that benefit from its use.

You are not a bad dog owner. You are a wonderful, loving dog owner...you love and care about your baby. I know how hard this is - you will figure it out. Don't give up on her - she's worth it!

[jmcconv]

The vet has prescribed Ace so we are going to pick it up now and then rox is color back to the office so I can observe her for side effects. I am looking for a short term solution because she will get get used to being at home. I just need to solve this as quickly as possible because I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and she won't be able to go with me to work.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by jmcconv

I appreciate the advice, but I'm not willing to crate Roxie for 9 hours a day. She was crate trained when she was younger and after she turned 2 we stopped using it. She likes to wander around the house and find sunny spots and look out of the windows while I am at work. I think that crating her now after not for 6 years would be more stressful for her. That may make me a bad dog owner, but I don't really care - I like her to be able to entertain herself. I know that this is a temporary problem while she gets used to the new house, which is why I'm okay with trying medication, especially if it's short term. I take full responsibility for "making" her this way. I was never allowed to have pets until my parents gave in and let me get her at 15. She is the cutest, sweetest thing ever and maybe I've loved her too much. But she has stayed home by herself while I've been at school/work before, and she will do it again.
Roxie can walk for miles and act tired but then spring up and get super energetic when she is afraid that I am leaving. We haven't even been in the new house a week, so I am seeing what the vet has to say. Although I am not the biggest fan of medicating for everything, medication was created for a reason and there are some dogs (and people) that benefit from its use.

Totally agree.

Crating/caging/confinement isn't a natural state for most living creatures, and certainly not for dogs. Confinement can make many creatures (incl us) absolutely crazy and can cause serious long term issues. Some will tell you that a dog's crate is its "den"...well, it's not when it's closed. A wolf den is *not* a trap, or a cage - it's an elective place for a wolf to go. In addition, we have to always remember that while our dogs are descended from wolves and are genetically almost exactly alike, they are *not* alike in terms of domestication...and domestication means they are conditioned to WANT to be w/ US...not confined to a very small place. (All that said, some dogs (not all) do later become very attached to their crates, and go in them electively to lay down, but that usually comes AFTER being forced into the crate for a period of time)

And yup -- medication can be a tremendous help! It can mean the difference btwn one thing and another and if/when that's the case, it's worth it. Like I said earlier, meds can enable the dog to have the "mental space" needed in order for new learning to take place.

You are doing a great job with trying to help her !

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by jmcconv

The vet has prescribed Ace so we are going to pick it up now and then rox is color back to the office so I can observe her for side effects. I am looking for a short term solution because she will get get used to being at home. I just need to solve this as quickly as possible because I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and she won't be able to go with me to work.

Ace may be very tranquilizing at first....but don't let that worry you...she will get used to it and after that she may be able to re-learn what it's like to be in a calm space. This is def worth a good try! Many dogs take Ace prior to plane travel, btw, and do very well at it. My Marcel has to take Ace for flying bc he goes out of his mind in that small carrier.

[Lolasmom1211]

Originally Posted by yorkiemini

If the medication dose is correct she will not be a zombie and have weird behavior. The medication will help calm her brain and slow it to slow,down so she she can cope better.

Prozac is a drug that has to be given pretty consistently for it to work. There are other drugs that you can use only when you need to because it sounds like she is fine when you are with her.

It sounds like you may be feeling guilty - dogs pick up on our emotions and will reflect those feelings. Most of us have to leave our pups sometime so don't feel guilty about it. You have provided her with a safe place while you are gone.

Right after my Cali was attacked by a hawk she went through a terrible and saddening time with terrible anxiety. I used xanax only at the times she needed it - she could still play and listen to me and function. Most dogs don't eat when they are anxious. It took quite a while but we no longer need the medication. The point being - the medication did not hurt her, did not make her a zombie, but did allow her to not be so miserable and sad. With time and lots of patients it can improve.

Good luck, wishing you all the best as you work through this issue. You are such a good Yorkie mommy for taking such good care of her and caring about her feeling!

Totally agree with you!

[Lolasmom1211]

Originally Posted by jmcconv

The vet has prescribed Ace so we are going to pick it up now and then rox is color back to the office so I can observe her for side effects. I am looking for a short term solution because she will get get used to being at home. I just need to solve this as quickly as possible because I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and she won't be able to go with me to work.

Good luck. I hope you see improvement! If not, don't give up. There are many, many different things to try. We had to try many before we found one that worked on Nash. Xanax did not even phase him and I have human friends that can't take even 1/2 a pill without it knocking them completely out! Everyone reacts differently - including our pups! I hope you get lucky with your first try! Please keep us posted - I'll be sending good thoughts your way!

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by jmcconv

The vet has prescribed Ace so we are going to pick it up now and then rox is color back to the office so I can observe her for side effects. I am looking for a short term solution because she will get get used to being at home. I just need to solve this as quickly as possible because I'm starting a new job in a few weeks and she won't be able to go with me to work.

Very good. Be sure to have the vet show you how to get the dog to swallow the pill. Some dogs are very good at hiding the pill and spitting it out later. Getting a dog to swallow a pill is quite an art. (I only mention this because you mentioned elsewhere that she spit a desoquin pill back at you.) Good luck!

[jmcconv]

Originally Posted by pstinard

Very good. Be sure to have the vet show you how to get the dog to swallow the pill. Some dogs are very good at hiding the pill and spitting it out later. Getting a dog to swallow a pill is quite an art. (I only mention this because you mentioned elsewhere that she spit a desoquin pill back at you.) Good luck!

They weren't very interested in helping me give her the pill, but I put it in a SMALL piece of turkey hot dog and she took it down. She usually takes the deso no problem, but today she was mad and wouldn't be bribed. I put it back in her bowl and she will probably have it as a snack later. At first, Roxie seemed really sedate from the Ace. She is back at the office with me so I can observe her. When she sees my coworkers she wags her tail, but isn't going wild and sneezing like she usually does. She is still following around behind me and crying when I stand up. I plan to get up early tomorrow and give it to her before our walk to help it kick in before I have to leave for work. It makes me feel better that people are supportive of my decision not to crate her. She really is fine being home alone once she gets over me leaving. She doesn't potty in the house or get in to things, and she is not at all destructive. I don't want her to think I am punishing her. The vet only gave me 10 days worth of the Ace, so that worries me a bit. As I mentioned before, I want her to be on it short term, but my vet is about 30 minutes away now that I've moved, so I don't want to have to go back too regularly. Hopefully she will be good in two weeks. Especially because I don't want to use it on the weekends, just work days. I can't even tell y'all how much I appreciate your advice! Especially some of you who have helped me before on my other log-in. Yorkietalk has been my go to place for advice for the last 5 years, and I am so glad I consistently get good help.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by jmcconv

They weren't very interested in helping me give her the pill, but I put it in a SMALL piece of turkey hot dog and she took it down. She usually takes the deso no problem, but today she was mad and wouldn't be bribed. I put it back in her bowl and she will probably have it as a snack later. At first, Roxie seemed really sedate from the Ace. She is back at the office with me so I can observe her. When she sees my coworkers she wags her tail, but isn't going wild and sneezing like she usually does. She is still following around behind me and crying when I stand up. I plan to get up early tomorrow and give it to her before our walk to help it kick in before I have to leave for work. It makes me feel better that people are supportive of my decision not to crate her. She really is fine being home alone once she gets over me leaving. She doesn't potty in the house or get in to things, and she is not at all destructive. I don't want her to think I am punishing her. The vet only gave me 10 days worth of the Ace, so that worries me a bit. As I mentioned before, I want her to be on it short term, but my vet is about 30 minutes away now that I've moved, so I don't want to have to go back too regularly. Hopefully she will be good in two weeks. Especially because I don't want to use it on the weekends, just work days. I can't even tell y'all how much I appreciate your advice! Especially some of you who have helped me before on my other log-in. Yorkietalk has been my go to place for advice for the last 5 years, and I am so glad I consistently get good help.

I'm glad she seems a little calmer on the Ace. I see no reason to crate her either, since she isn't being destructive. Hopefully she will get the anxiety under control! If not, there are other options (prozac, etc.) as people have mentioned. I think the vet gave you a limited supply of Ace since it's meant for short term use only. Other drugs like prozac are safer over the long term (if it becomes necessary).