Separation anxiety - 6yr old rescue Sharpe male dog?

Question

A good friend of mine has just rescued this male Sharpa dog, who is loving, quiet and non-aggresive. However, the minute he is left alone, he cries, howls, and scratches if left inside. She has tried: leaving the door open so he has the run of the house & garden; leaving the TV on so he has something to listen to and walking him until he is worn out before she leaves. Nothing is working. Her neighbours are in an uproar and one made vile threats to harm the dog. She is getting so stressed she is considering having the dog put down. We live in Cyprus and do not have the likes of good back-up animal services. When he is with my dog he does not make a fuss. But, due to her situation she cannot consider getting a companion for him. He is a lovely dog, with many good years ahead of him. We are desperate to find a solution, so that she can continue to look after him and give him the life he deserves. Please give us practical ways of dealing with his anxiety.

Answer 1

HI MY DOG DOES THE SAME THING WITH ME. I GOT HIM FROM THE SHELTER ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND THE ONLY THING THAT I FOUND THAT WORKED FOR HIM WAS TO KENNEL HIM WHILE I WAS GONE BECAUSE WHILE YOU'RE GONE THEY WILL BE IN THE KENNEL AND HAVE A SENSE OF SECURITY AND SENSE THAT THAT'S THERE IS SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN AND ANYTIME THAT THEY FEEL INSECURE OF ANYTHING THEY WILL GO THERE BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR OWN SECURE PLACE
NOT SURE IF IT WILL WORK FOR YOU BUT IT DID FOR ME
GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

Animals with separation anxiety, normal been abuse but this doesn't sound like the problem. Other times the animal knows if they make enough noise that they will get there way. A treat to an animal is no joking matter I would make sure the cops know about it just in case something does happen. A solution that has worked before for me is another dog. someone they can be around all the time or even doggy day care. If that doesn't work try finding a pet sitter animal do a lot better in there only home. If that doesn't work find a firend that will take the dog while your at work.

Veterinary Animal Tech. Karama

Answer 3

There are several ways of dealing with separation anxiety. Your friend may have to try them all before finding the one that works for her pet.
-There are, of course, sedatives. Not my first choice.
-There is doggy day care. Pricey but a good alternative and easy.
-There are some specific training practices that are used to increase the animals confidence. One is basic obedience and the down-stay, once learned and obeyed properly and dog 'might' hold the position for hours without making a noise.
The other is an exercise in abandonment that raises the dogs confidence and reduces the reliance that causes the anxiety. But you might have trouble finding a trainer to do it and it is expensive.
-Lastly, you can develop a routine. Just before leaving turn to the dog and speak softly, telling him you will be back in a few minutes. Then go out, for a few minutes.(You can do this several times a day during the first few days) Return as though you have been gone all day and greet the dog with joy and pleasure, patting him all over his body. Continue doing this, increasing the length of time that you are away until you can get up to several hours. You'll need a couple of things to accomplish this. A bit of time off of work so that there is no interruption in the progression of the exercise. And an observer (neighbor) nearby to tell you if the dog is acting up while you are out. If the dog is misbehaving, cut the time that you are out down and then begin the slow increase again.
This is the longest way to reduce separation anxiety but I have seen it work a number or times.
Good Luck

Answer 4

Don't think another dog will help with it unfortunately. You really have to make sure that it is separation anxiety you're dealing with, cos you seem to be doing a lot of the right things. Crate training is great as it eventually gives the dog a sense of safety & security in its own space, but I'd consult with a pet behaviourist about how to introduce it to an older dog & about the anxiety anyway.

Answer 5

I have told this to so many people and everyone argues this until they do it.

This animal cannot and will not be happy if it is alone. (period)

She has to get another dog or give it to someone that has another dog.

Dogs are naturally pack animals. Whether they are the pack leader or follower, they do best when they are together. Some dogs are capable of being independent and others will commit suicide if they are alone.

Dogs have been this ways since the beginning of time.

I didn't believe it when it was told to me, but for the sake of my furnature, house, garden, clothing and everything else I owned that she destroyed, I tried it. Never again will I only have 1 dog. Your dog will be so happy and so will you.
Good luck

Answer 6

You can start by finding someone (like a neighbor) who is home all day and willing to have a dog hanging around during the workday or other long periods of time, kind of like doggie daycare. If you live near your friend and you are willing to have the two dogs together alone at either her or your house, either dog can be dropped off at the other house on the way to work and picked up once the homeowner gets home. Or, if you can afford it, there may be a PetSmart PetsHotel nearby, and they usually have "Doggie DayCamp" where you can drop off your dog as early as 7am and they get to play with other dogs their size. There may also be professional pet-sitters who run their own doggie daycare nearby. I suggest checking the yellow pages or newspapers. Hope this is helpful!

Answer 7

I curently own 8 Shar Pei dogs, the best thing to do when it comes to seperation anxiety is to but a crate. Crates can cost around £30. Start by putting the dog in the crate for 5 minutes while you are in the room and increase it by 5 minutes everytime you do it. When you can sucessfully leave the dog for 30 minutes in the crate while you are in the room try leaving them for 5 minutes in the crate while you arent in the room and once again increase by 5 minutes. By 30 minutes left in a crate alone in a room you may have a well behaved dog. If not try leaving them with a treat in the crate. This may persuade them to behave.

Answer 8

I'm probably going to get jumped on for suggesting this to you, but they do have drugs available thru your vet that will help your dog's anxiety.

My first rescue dog was a lovely boxer with a sever case of seperation anxiety. In fact, that's how she came to be in the pound. The moment she was left alone in a house, she would begin to chew everything she could get her teeth around. When I told my vet about this behavior during her initial checkup, the vet offered to give me medication (she didn't specify a name).

Fortunatly, I didn't have to because I live in the country, have a huge backyard and the dog - after realizing she wasn't going to be abandoned - calmed down and began to act like the lady she was.

So, to make a long story short, ask your vet about meds. They can tell you what's available, and any possible side effects you should know about.

Answer 9

can your dog come for visits when she is gone to help ease him thru this also if that doesnt work or your schedules arnt similar then try getting a stuffed dog that looks real and keep it with your dog so it gets his sent and then give it to the sharpie maybe that will give him comfort! good luck

Answer 10

he is frightened you will not come back go out side 10 Min's come then 15 30 so on making it longer etc time Chang his walking times get him a big toy dog