I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback 18 month-old dog. everytime i go out he completely trashes the house. when he is left outside he escapes, when in the bedroom he rips duvets etc, kitchen he eats the mail, oven and cupboards.
i dont want to get rid of him as he is highly epileptic and he needs special care but im sick of finding my house ruined after leaving him for an hour.
we have another dog who is fine being left alone. if we leave them together he is no better and still pulls the house apart.
I cant afford lots of treatments for him, does anyone have any ideas???
2006-11-08 21:26:01 · 14 answers · asked by lauz 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Get him a buster cube to play with while you are gone. Put him in a crate turn the music on and fill the buster cube with treats to keep him occupied. This is what they look like http://www.sitstay.com/cgi-bin/sdisp.cgi/TYBUST.lg.jpg
Also, you might want to talk to a behaviorist about some meds for him. Like Prozac.
2006-11-08 23:18:41 · answer #1 · answered by bear 2 zealand © 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi, try leaving your dog in a room where you would normally leave it when you are out and leave the dogs sight for a few mins then go in and praise it try and gradually build up the time that you leave it like 10 mins then 15, this will let your dog know that you will always come back, there are also toys on the market you put its fave chews in a rubber ball and the dogs is too busy tryin to get to its chews rather than wreck your house, if all that fails than you can try a cage you can buy these from most pet shops or suppliers or big pet stores, just make sure it has water when you go out, hope it helps good luck.
2006-11-09 21:04:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend taking your dogs on a long walk to get them a bit tired before you leave. And then, you have to put your Rhodesian Ridgeback in a crate until you come home. If you're not already crate-training him, you can leave him in there for short periods first to get him used to it. Eventually, it'll sort of become "his room." Leave him with his favorite toys and a kong filled with treats. You can "graduate" him to the bathroom or kitchen when you think he's learned to calm down when you're not there. Getting a dog walker to take your dogs out in the middle of the day will help, too.
2006-11-09 01:16:12 · answer #3 · answered by Genmai Cha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I have had three ridgebacks (fantasic dogs).
We had one that wrecked the house every time we went out, it is anxiety at being left. I have two suggestions first go out for short time periods (different lengths of time) and return and make a big fuss if he has not done anything if he has done anything ignore him.
Another suggestion is have you seen the enormous steel cages you can buy we have had these for our last two and they have been fine. They have lots of space and usually just curl up and sleep. The biggest size is about £100.
Good luck
Andrea
2006-11-10 20:32:17 · answer #4 · answered by karen. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dr.Patricia McConnell has a great booklet named "I'll be Home Soon!" It's a wonderful 36 page booklet dealing with how to prevent and treat Separation Anxiety. I think it costs around $7.00. I've used her protocol successfully with several different breeds including Ridgebacks.
There is also medication, Clomicalm, make sure you have the blood work done as I don't know if it will conflict with his Epi meds.
Her website is www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com
2006-11-09 01:08:34 · answer #5 · answered by sahibu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a cocker spaniel with sever separation anxiety. She shredded everything she could find when I was gone. I left her treats and plenty of toys when I left and she got better. I would suggest proofing one room so there is nothing he can destroy and leaving him only in hat room.
One thing that could be causing his part of the problem is his medication. A dog on seizure medication shouldn't be having such anxiety levels.
2006-11-08 21:36:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi some dogs are very anxious when left alone ours is shes a great dane so i know the feeling there is some tablets you can get from any pet shop does cost a fortune, t give your dog before you leave the house its like karms for adults,it helps relax the dog hope this helps
2006-11-09 04:41:31 · answer #7 · answered by cbjdot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really wish I knew because my maltese just turned a year old and he has seperation anxiety. He only does it when I'M gone though. It doesn't matter who I leave with him because he will still destroy the house unless I am here!
2006-11-09 00:07:05 · answer #8 · answered by luvmymustang5speed 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same problem i have pit bull who trashes everything and a rottweiler who is fine but i'm not even considering getting rid of the pit-bull... i went to hawaii for a week and she was depressed the whole time...
2006-11-08 21:30:21 · answer #9 · answered by lilflashinchick15 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could kennel the dog . They do make big enough dog kennels to where he would be comfy until you get home .
2006-11-08 22:02:14 · answer #10 · answered by poochiesmoochie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋