[Dailydrool] Edmond's Anxiety

[Pamela McQuade]

Kimi:
Sounds to me as if Edmond has separation anxiety.  If you have tried training and it has not worked, it may well take both training and medication. 

It may sounds as if Edmond just does not respond well to Xanax. Just as people respond to different drugs in various ways, so do hounds. Both people and dogs can have a reaction that's the opposite of what the drug is supposed to do. It seems you need to stop the drug and try another one.

It will be critical to get the right drug, but it alone probably will not solve the problem.  I understand that drugs are used for a short time, to calm the dog so that it can respond to training. Sustained training can help a lot, once the dog is in a mental position to deal with it. 

I would recommend that you hook up with a behaviorist who is familiar with dealing with separation anxiety (not a trainer, but a behaviorist, who can prescribe medication). Your vet may be able to recommend someone.
If not, here is one professional Web site (I have no association with this organization, just found it with an online search):

http://iaabc.org/consultants/

I did not do an exhaustive search, so if you do one, you may find other sites that will connect you with someone in your area.

Pam, food slave to the Dashing Bassets