My beloved Boxer and his not so beloved separation anxiety. What to do?

Question

I love our Boxer, Judge, but his separation anxiety makes me want to pull my hair out at times. All I have to do is just pick up my car keys and walk into the garage, and he will have already done his doodie on the living room floor. He mainly stays outside because of this and he's not ever left alone inside while we're gone (didn't take us long to figure this out). If he's separated from us, he freaks out. The whining, the chewing, the scratching and the oopses on the carpet can get out of hand. He has to know what we're doing all the time, and there's no telling what he does in the backyard when we leave the house. Any advice?

Many of you have said something about crate training...we tried that. He chewed the first one up, so we got a metal one. Well, he flipped it on its side and it really, really, really stresses him out big time.

Answer 1

Separation anxiety is a combination behavioral AND biochemical problem. Both need to be addressed in order for treatment to be effective. There are many success cases using this method, and it has saved innumerable dogs from euthanasia.

First, he needs a good physical examination by your veterinarian to see if he's a candidate for a drug called Clomicalm. They'll have a little quiz for you to take about your dog's behavior in certain circumstances. This medication is not a sedative or tranquilizer. It addresses the biochemical imbalance in the brain that triggers the separation anxiety behavior....but behavioral modification training must be used concurrently. (Behavioral modification training by itself often fails, too....the best results are achieved when both are used together.)

Go here for more info (read the FAQ link), then make an appointment with your DVM to discuss this medication's suitability for your particular dog: http://www.clomicalm.novartis.us/

I am a HUGE proponent of crate-training. This is a medical issue that goes wayyyyyyyyyyyy beyond that, however. Crating does nothing to address the underlying problem of the anxiety. While crating can keep a dog from 'doing' anything, it won't stop the anxiety itself. In fact, many dogs have destroyed their crates and/or injured themselves in an attempt to get out. These dogs NEED medication, *in addition to* structured, consistent behavior-modification. Trust me....your dog (and you) will be MUCH happier if both aspects of this treatment are pursued.

Physical exercise and mentally-stimulating activity are ALWAYS important for maintaining mental health (in both humans and animals), but this is not a lack-of-exercise or inadequate-mental-stimulation issue. It is primarily a MEDICAL issue.

Answer 2

Boxer Separation Anxiety

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
My beloved Boxer and his not so beloved separation anxiety. What to do?
I love our Boxer, Judge, but his separation anxiety makes me want to pull my hair out at times. All I have to do is just pick up my car keys and walk into the garage, and he will have already done his doodie on the living room floor. He mainly stays outside because of this and he's not ever...

Answer 4

Our Lab mix has severe separation anxiety. I can realate to everything you're saying! We've been through numerous couches, curtains, blinds, chairs, and she learned how to get into the cereal cabinet. We tried a strong metal crate also, but since she was not crate trained as a puppy she didn't take to it very well. We actually set up a video camera when we left one day because we would come home to find her on our bed chewing pillows and the crate still closed and locked. And she's 60lb dog! Can't leave her out, she's too determined and extremely agile. She can clear our 5' fence without even touching it.

Next we put her in the garage. She pulled all the weather stripping off the garage door and almost scratched her way through the door into the kitchen. It got to the point to where she was used to me being angry when I got home and came to expect it. That only complicated the issue.

We tried everything from swapping out toys on a daily basis, the treat-stuffed kong, having the neighbor let her out during the day, meds from the vet to calm her, the plug-in time release stuff that's supposed to calm dogs, leaving the tv on, not making a big deal of us coming and going, the list goes on and on.

The biggest thing that worked for us? We rescued another mutt. She now has a hyper little buddy to keep her company during the day. We got lucky though. We could have ended up with another destructive, troublesome mutt. We don't have to worry about our home anymore. We still "Bailey-proof" the house when we leave, close all doors, put one of the kitchen chairs in front of cereal cabinet, etc. But the dogs entertain themselves and our furniture has remained intact for many months now.

I just read the DVM's response. In my personal experience, with my dog, I tried everything he suggested. Clomicalm was exactly what we had Bailey on. She turned into "Happy Girl" while on it, (I've never seen her so happy in her life) however, it really didn't help her anxiety while we were away from her. We were still coming home to utter destruction. I just don't believe this is a "medical condition" as the DVM states. I believe that treatment, whether it be psychological or medical is individual to each animal. Drugs didn't work for my dog. Improving her lifestyle did.

If you would like to talk, e-mail me. I'll help you through your frustrations as much as I can. I'm no expert, but I've been in your shoes!

Answer 5

I would definitely consult with a trainer as separation anxiety for a dog, and for its owners, can be a big weight on the relationship. Our oldest has separation anxiety, not quite that severe though. We started by leaving him alone for small periods of time (2-3 min) and slowly increased the time we were gone. When he did not cry for more than a few seconds, we praise him endlessly!

Crate training may also help him. It will become his space where he feels safe and secure while you are not home.

Answer 6

Is your Boxer crate trained? A crate could go a long way towards help with the pooping. There is a very good short book by Patricia McConnell called "I'll Be Home Soon!" that deals with seperation anxiety. You can get the book at Amazon or http://dogwise.com

You can help you dog but you will need patience and to work in baby steps.

Where do you live? I have a very good trainer, Daphne Robert-Hamilton, that specializes in dogs with issues. She is in Morgan Hill, California. If you are in that area you can contact her via her web site: http://www.k9partnership.com Her email is: [e-mail] I have been working with her for over a year now to help one of our Boxer girls with her issues of fear of unfamiliar places and dog/dog aggression. We have made amazing progress with her.

I can understand you leaving Judge outside because of his house soiling but Boxers aren't really outdoor dogs. They need to be where ever their family is. It would be wonderful if you could help Judge get over his anxiety so he could be with you more often.

Another question is how much excercise does Judge get? Boxers need quite a bit. We do agility with our Boxers to help use up some of their energy. Tracking is another sport they enjoy. Our youngest girl loves lure coursing.

Answer 7

My older dog passed away last week, and our other dog has been having similiar issues. There are medications that your vet can subscribe, however if hes only freaking out when your gone, you may need to get a crate, and or think about getting him a friend. We have tried everything to cheer up our dog, but nothing is owrking, so even though I am not ready to love another dog yet(since my baby died), I might have to get one anyways, just to help the other dog get over the lonliness. Good Luck. Dont get too upset w/ your baby--he loves you, and dogs dont know how to deal w/ emotions like humans do.

Answer 8

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 9

I agree with crating and with giving him 'busy toys' like kong balls stuffed with the peanut butter or treats.

Beyond that, make sure you are not making a big deal everytime you leave and come back. Don't go, "Bye puppy! I"ll be back soon I promise!" and dont come back and go, "yay, we're home" and pet him and make a production of it. Just put him in his kennel quietly and walk out, and when you get home just walk over and unlatch the door and take him for a walk-- no excited voices.

More exercise is always good too.

Answer 10

I have heard of a few toys that claim to help with seperation anxiety. One is a treat ball that you can record phrases on and when your dog touches it, there is your voice and a treat. I have also heard of getting toys that have holes in the middle where you can put peanut butter which will keep your dog distracted while you are away. You could always try crate training him, that way he couldn't mess anything up and he would be less likely to have "oopses" in a crate where he has to stay. Just make sure to leave him some toys and stuff in the crate with him.