separation anxiety in dogs?

Question

rusty is 14 months old now hes tearing his crate up and hurting hisself.he goes to the vet in 3 days his nose is raw.trid everything even pet calm nothing is working. hes not alone,his brother is fine in his crate.he just started this help.he tears up furniture tried the spray but nothing works.

Answer 1

Canine separation anxiety is a neurological distress response to: separation from the person to whom the dog is attached, high degree of uncertainty of an outcome, or the probability of punishment. In dogs with this condition, the level of anxiety is disproportionate to the inciting circumstances. Brain chemistry plays a significant role in the development and progression of separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety are suffering and require effective behavioral management and medical intervention.

In the average U.S. veterinary practice, approximately 14% of canine patients exhibit one or more signs of separation anxiety. This behavioral disease is second only to aggression. The good news is that separation anxiety is a treatable disorder.

Separation anxiety is usually seen in younger dogs, especially when these pets are adopted from an animal shelter. It is not commonly seen in middle-aged dogs, although dogs that develop separation anxiety at a very young age may be at greater risk for recurrences later in life.

Separation anxiety is also common in older dogs. The hypothesis is that as animals age and lose sensory perception (hearing and sight) they become more dependent on their owners and may be more anxious when they are separated or even out of view.

Prolonged and constant human contact is frequently seen in cases of separation anxiety. Many dogs are so strongly attached to their owners that they will follow them from room to room to maintain close proximity.

Signs of separation anxiety can range from mild to severe:

Distress vocalization—howling, barking, whining

Inappropriate elimination—urination, defecation

Destructive behavior—chewing, digging

Anorexia/ “depression” or inactivity

Psychosomatic/medical consequences—excessive licking of haircoat, pacing, circling

Hyperattachment—excessive greeting behavior, constant pestering of owner

Hypersalivation

The behaviors associated with separation anxiety often occur within a short period of time after the animal is left alone, a unique feature which distinguishes separation anxiety from other behavioral disorders. A thorough history and physical examination (including blood tests) are needed to definitively diagnose separation anxiety and rule out other medical or behavioral differential diagnoses.

Clomicalm (clomipramine hydrochloride) alters behavior by its action on neurotransmitter systems within the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in fear and anxiety. Norepinephrine is involved with learning, memory, mood, arousal, and behavioral focus. Clomicalm blocks the uptake of both of these neurotransmitters in the brain. Increased levels of Serotonin reduces distress (fear) and associated signs in dogs with separation anxiety. Increased norepinephrine levels may stimulate the learning ability of some dogs, which may improve behavior modification.

Clomicalm tablets contain clomipramine hydrochloride, a tricyclic antidepressant. They are indicated for veterinary use in dogs greater than 6 months of age. This product is not labeled for use in treating canine aggression. Dogs receiving clomipramine have a decreased level of fear and anxiety and increased receptivity to behavioral modification. While clomipramine can cause transient lethargy, it does not act as a sedative.

The most common side effects are vomiting (emesis), lethargy, and diarrhea. Giving clomicalm with food may reduce vomiting. Clomicalm should not be used in male breeding dogs (testicular hypoplasia); in conjunction with Anipryl (l-deprenyl), Mitaban, or Amitraz; with CNS active drugs; with cimetidine or fluoxetine; dogs with cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, or glaucoma; or used within 7-14 days of general anesthesia.

Treatment of canine separation anxiety involves both medical intervention and behavioral modification/training. The course of treatment is determined on a case by case basis depending upon the dog’s response to therapy. Improvement may be seen within a few days, and typically is observed within one month or less of treatment. A standard length of treatment duration is two months, with some dogs needing longer treatment times. Because dogs with separation anxiety are truly suffering and can do real harm to themselves, treatment is the only humane option.

Behavioral modification techniques are based on the principles of desensitization and counter-conditioning. This training is neither complex nor time consuming. The basic techniques are easy to teach and perform.

Before beginning treatment, it is important to identify which behaviors are to be assessed and what level of progress is expected. While most dogs do respond well to treatment for separation related anxiety, treatment failures do occur. Signs of separation anxiety may return with changes to the dog’s environment or routine. Common precipitating factors include marriage, moving to a new house, a new baby, and changes in schedules (children going back to school or a new job with different hours). In such instances, additional treatment may be needed.

In all cases of canine separation anxiety, any form of reprimand or punishment is contra-indicated and may actually increase the dog’s anxiety.

Answer 2

Dogs are highly social animals that prefer to live in groups. Separation anxiety is a common behavioural problem that occurs when the dog is separated from their owner/s. Separation anxiety is characterised by signs of distress when affected animals are separated from an owner or family group to which the animal is highly attached. Behavioural responses may include destructiveness, house-soiling, excessive barking, digging or pacing, among other signs.

The goal of treatment is to teach the pet how to be calm and relaxed during the owner's absence. It involves changes in pet-owner interactions, changes in leaving and return protocols, decreasing the anxiety associated with owner departure, teaching the pet how to be left alone, environmental changes and management.

Answer 3

Yes dogs can get separation anxiety! from a litter mate to their human! Can you put the two pups together in the same crate? or maybe face the crate doors toward each other where Rusty can see his brother that way he knows he is not alone. Reassure him that he is going to be "okay". GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 4

Do not give medication to your dog, that will not solve anything. He obviously has got a problem (psychological) that needs finding and solving. Try this website:
www.dogpsychologycenter.com
I am not a fan of crates, just leave him in a secure room and give him something to chew on - get him used to you being away gradually, one day for 5 minutes, then for 10 etc. He will soon learn that you are coming back and will be fine. Also, he needs lots of exercise before you go out, then he is more likely to sleep. ;-)

Answer 5

You say he just started this,is there anything that has changed in his enviroment,ie has the crate been moved?have you had work beeing done in the house?has his brother moved etc?He could of heard something that scared him when you were out,as he was in his crate he couldn't escape and now feels panicked when enclosed,if hes causing him self harm in the crate then i advice you to not use it.Is there a room he can be confined in instead?As seperation anxeity ranges from dog to dog,i would advice you to ask for a referal from your vet to a good behaviourist,who will be able to come and see your dog and set up a new training programe to help you and your dog over come this behaviour.Good luck.

Answer 6

terrible for you and Rusty. You needd professional behaviourist help - not cheap but he will come to your house ad help you as there could be so many reasons why your dog is getting upset, and a dog behaviourist will be able to tell you exactly why, and what to do to stop it.
I would Look on the net and in books and email a few.
good luck

Answer 7

There are a few real keys to dog training, whether you are trying to train your dog to come when called, sit, stop barking or any other behavior. Understanding their importance is critical to achieving rapid results that are long lasting and help develop the bond between you and your dog. Learn more http://OnlineDogTraining.enle.info/?7cz7

The first is simple; you must win your dogs mind. If you don’t achieve this first then you will be struggling the all the way. When I talk about winning your dogs mind what I really mean is that your dog looks to you for all the decisions. Before you do anything else watch one of the amazing video sites that show you the 5 Golden rules to establishing yourself as the pack leader. If you aren’t putting these in place then you are setting yourself up to fail. Just at the crucial point where you really want your dog to listen they will go and do their own thing. For sure your dog may play ball occasionally or even most of the time, you may even have a dog that is obedient 99% of the time, however if you want a dog who always listens to you and does as you ask then you need to win your dogs mind.

The second key to success is to motivate your dog. It is really important that you discover what it is that your dog enjoys both in terms of exercise and play but also in terms of a reward. If you can make the experience enjoyable then you will both achieve more and look forward to training.

Some dogs love to fetch, others love agility, and other dogs simply love obedience training, or swimming out into water and retrieve. At least to start with find out what your dogs love is and help them develop this, what I am saying is work with your dog. The other point to recognize is to make training enjoyable reward your dog.

Answer 8

Dogs can be prescribed Xanax. They call it by the generic name, but it's Xanax. Works wonders and man does my dog look happy on the occasions where I have to give him one. He sits on the couch and looks like he's in heaven.

Answer 9

Lose the crates-they are for cruel and lazy owners who want quick-fix solutions.

Your dog needs an animal behaviourist.

Answer 10

oh my gosh, my cousin had a dog and then they moved and their dog like freaked out and they totally had to put him to sleep because he went crazy it was really scary.