[Dailydrool] Separation Anxiety (happens to girls too!)

[Monique Tecson]

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Monique Tecson <moenizzle at yahoo.com>
To: dailydrool at dailydroo.org
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2009 2:20:51 PM
Subject: Separation Anxiety (happens to girls too!)


Oohh.. now this issue hits home! I found myself asking droolers for advice on this topic a year ago. If it weren't for you guys helping me thru those tough times.. man.. I don't know! haha! 

We've had Mona for more than a year now and when we first adopted her she's had severe separation anxiety. Personally I think it has something to do with a dog's past, even though most online resources would tell you that the cause is "unknown".

Mona was left alone for hours in her previous home. Her previous owner had to work really long hours, and went thru other personal issues alongside that. Anyway, I think that left her a little scarred- being the center of someone's life, having that life be abruptly altered, go into rescue and be re-homed- now that's a lot to go thru even for humans! 

Her symptoms were barking, baying and soiling the house while we were away. I would watch her thru a webcam and see her restless the whole time. That's how I knew it was separation anxiety. She would display symptoms ONLY when she was alone. 

Sure enough the neighbor complaints came, and quite frankly, it wasn't fun to deal with pee and poop everyday when you came home from work.  We tried home remedies to help her calm down while we were gone. We tried Melatonin (which is a natural sleep aid.. you can buy this at any Whole Foods.. comes in a small bottle with a dropper) but that didn't work.. haha! She was too freaked out to go chill and sleep. To pacify my neighbors (and myself/dadperson.. cuz the house soiling was driving us insane) we went to our vet and he prescribed us Clomicalm (anxiety pills for dogs) The pill works, but it takes a week or two to kick in. Our vet cautioned us that the pill itself is not the final cure for separation anxiety. It only relieved the symptoms (no more barking baying and pooping!) and gives you a chance to desensitize your dog from your absence. 

Mona was on Clomicalm for about 3 months, before we slowly tapered down her medication. During those 3 months, we practiced coming and going.. Seriously, going in and out of my apartment several times during the day. Training her on a "safety cue"..for her its when I jingle my keys.. she knows I'm leaving for the day.

Another thing that we did (and I'm not sure this is an option for most people out there) is to adopt doggy#2! Bassets are very social creatures.. when dadperson and I talked seriously about how Mona was doing by herself, we didn't feel like it was right for her to be by her lonesome during the day. She had some progress with the meds and the training, but still we felt she would be happier if someone was to keep her company...  and sure enough we saw a difference in her when Potato came along. 

Bottom line, I think it's up to your hound when it's time for them to get over it... it takes time for them to gain that sense of security... it could take a few weeks, a month or two or three.. but the key is patience and routine. Making things more predictable for them lessens the chances of them freaking out. 

Hope this helps! 

Monique, Mona (am not anxious when I'm alone) and Potato (someone's lying) 


      
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