Separation Anxiety?

Question

We got a beagle mix from the shelter several months ago. she is really wearing on us because even though she is soooo sweet, she has speration anxiety very bad, She is a mess when we leave, if you watch her from the door she is crying and running in circles, but the biggest thing is she goes to the bathroom all over the place when we leave. Never when we are home, she knows to go out side. I've tried crate training, doggy pads and even anxiety medicie but she spits them back out. Anyone have any suggestions about the bathroom problems.

Answer 1

We have actually had the same problem with our boxers when they were puppies, they ended up doing thousands of dollars of damage to our house! So the best thing to do is to crate train them, not a kennel. I know you said that you have tried it but I am a trained animal specialist and this is the only effective way. But you need to be able to distinguish between a crate and a kennel and also make sure it only has enough room for her to turn around in. A crate is open on all sides and generally now-a-days you can get it with an insert to make it smaller. By having the crate open on all sides it relieves some of the stress of the beagle because she can see all around it. Also, if you get a crate with an insert, the best thing to do is get the crate for the adult size of the dog and put the insert in so it gives the dog just enough room to move around. This will help with the bathroom problem. If a dog cant get away from its feces/urine, then it wont go. It doesnt want to be trapped there and normally they will wait for you to come home before they go to the bathroom (this also helps with potty training puppies). If they do happen to have an accident (which never happened with our boxers) its easy cleaup because there is a tray that you can pull out of the bottom.

If you are worried about her being lonely or bored throw in a few of her favorite toys. One that I recommend is a Kong with frozen peanut butter in it. It would keep her busy for hours. Also, throw in a few old blankets for her to lay on and that way you can just throw them in the wash. But make sure they arent ones you are attached to!

Last but not least, if she starts to bark or howl DO NOT turn around and come back in to yell because that is what she wants you to do. She wants you to pay attention to her and in that circumstance it doesnt matter what kind of attention it is. You just need to walk away. Beagles are stubborn but wonderful dogs. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I have a beagle with separation anxiety. There was a combination of things which worked for us:

1) Anxiety medicine (we use clomicalm which is presciption. If the puppy does not take the medicine, use cheese, peanut butter or liver paste to entice her to take them.)

2) Routine (like all dogs and children, beagles need routine to feel secure. You should establish a routine for going to work and coming home. Do the same routine every day. Stay very calm when you leave and return. This lets the dog know that your comings and goings are no big deal.)

3) D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone - an aromatherapy product you plug into the all which releases the pheromone given off by nursing canine mothers to soothe puppies - not prescription)

4) Control (you must demonstrate through routine and training that you are the master. Otherwise the puppy will only get worse and worse.)

Finally, be aware that this is an emotional disease and will never be cured, only managed. This means that you may not be able to leave the dog alone at night or onthe weekends.

Answer 3

It does sound like her anxiety is rather severe. You need to find a way to get that medicine in her. There are now treats available specifically for giving pills. They look like little pillowcases; you put the pill in one end so it is fully hidden. There are also pill guns that shoot the pill down the throat. Or, ask the vet if the pill can be crushed and put in food or if it is available in liquid form.

Comfort Zone can also be helpful. It's a plug-in that emits a pheromone to reduce anxiety.

Do as many leave-and-returns as you can. Just step out for 10 seconds to start (or even less), then gradually increase the length of your departures.

Don't "apologize" for leaving and don't make a fuss over her when you return. If you seem to think that it's terrible for her to be left alone, what is she going to think?

If you have the resources, consider putting her in day care or having a family member who is at home take her occasionally. The more often she experiences this anxiety, the more difficult it is going to be to treat.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Crate training can be difficult (if not impossible) for a dog with separation anxiety when not learned at an early age. I have one. Crate training failed with her. Try not making a big deal out of your comings and goings. Leave the tv or radio on, whatever is usually on when you're home. Leave her a t-shirt or something she can chew that has your scent on it. And, rotate her toys. Dogs get bored. I give my dogs plastic 2 liter bottles with a couple dog treats in them. Keeps them entertained until they get the cap off and figure out how to get the treat out.

Start slow, walk out the door for just a minute, let her see you right outside the door. Come back. If she stays calm once you're in the house, give her a treat. Continue this increasing the amount of time you're gone. If her reaction isn't what you're looking for, stay at that amount of time until she's comfortable with it. It will take time.

Or, if you can, try getting her a friend to keep her company when you're gone. That's what we did and we no longer have chewed up furniture when we get home.

Good luck.

Answer 5

You are probably going to have to find a way to keep her in one area so she doesn't use the bathroom or tear up anything. Maybe a baby gate would help. I had two dogs do the same thing. I ended up having to do the baby gate thing, but one of them learned to climb it! So, after many attempts to try other venues, I had to get a cage big enough for the both of them. I kept in inside the house where they were used to being. Good luck to you.

Answer 6

Use the crate again when you are away. Please don't think that it is cruel, because the dog will be happier in the crate when you are gone. She will be more comfortable in "her" area. Make sure that you put something in the crate that has your smell on it, like a stuffed animal or blanket that will give her comfort.

Answer 7

leave her in the crate or get a kennel for when you are away. my dog loves her kennel. when she is ready for bed she goes in the laundry room and goes to sleep on her kennel. give it another try... at least it will save what is left of your carpet

Answer 8

My mother had a dog like this, and he was like this his entire life. Try leaving the television or radio on for her, or if possible, get a compatible animal friend.