Ways to calm nervous dog?

Question

I have a mixed breed 5 yo female dog. She has always had serious separation anxiety - she hides under the bed and sometimes GROWLS at us when we try to get her out to put her in her pen. She has to stay in a pen when we are gone because she tears up the house and puddles due to nervousness. She seems to be getting worse lately. All morning she will pant and dart from hiding place to hiding place and try to sit on me and press against me. If she thinks someone is coming to get her to put her in her cage she will leave a puddle. This is unbelievably annoying, but I am also concerned with her quality of life. What we've done: we have her favorite beanbag chair in her pen with food and water and toys; we take her with us whenever possible, but it's not always possible, esp at this time of year when it is getting too warm in the car; we give her olive oil each day which has helped a bit. I know there is something the vet can prescribe, but it is $60/month. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I feel for you--- my dog used to have separation anxiety.

To help my dog, I spent a lot of money on a behavioralist, and it helped me a lot, but can be pricey ($400). I would reccommend it if you can aford it. I guarantee that if you see a reputable behavioralist, they will teach you how to improve on your dog's problem. You should at the very least research it as much as you can, several dog rescue sites offer good information. Here's a good site to get you started:
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/sep-anxiety.pdf

I'll try to list as many general rules here that I can think of to get you started:

-- Ignore your dog when you come home (or back inside the house). Only give her affection once she calms down from the exicitement of you being home.

-- Ignore her when you leave. Don't say goodbye. Just leave. Don't pay attention to her for 20 minutes before you leave.

--Throughout the day, only give her attention when he is calm and doing something independently (i.e. NOT sitting or laying right by you). Don't allow her to demand when she gets petted. Give her lots of attention and praise ONLY if you see him sleeping or playing independently from you. Encourage him to hang out in a different room by teaching "stay." She needs to learn what you want from her-- and this is to be calm and independent when you are not around. This sounds strange but this is the msot important step that I learned from my behavorialist. They don't stress this step as much in online info sheets, but this is 100% the most important step for your dog.

--Don't scold her for being destructive or barking or for the running around or hiding. It makes them more anxious. And what she is trying to do is get your attention by barking and pressing against you, so don't reward her by giving her attention (be it positive or negative).

-- After several weeks of only giving him attention when YOU initiate it, then you can "practice" leaving. Leave for a second and come back. Once you can do that and she doesn't panic, do it for longer.

--If he's food-motivated, give him a very special treat-- maybe a Kong toy filled with cooked chicken or peanut butter. But only give him this when you leave, and pick it up when you return. Try to get him to associate you leaving with something good! My dog only gets wet food when she's being left alone, she loves it. Now that she's pretty much cured, she gets excited about my leaving because she knows she gets a special treat.

Good luck! It will seem for a long time that he's not making any progress, but don't give up-- Once he begins to make a noticeable improvement, he will progress much more quickly. I promise! The whole process took about 8 months for my dog.

It sounds like your dog has really severe SA, so I really urge you to see a behaviouralist. Drugs will help you while you are re-training your dog to being left alone, but using it or any herbal remedy or DAP by itself (without also doing desensitation training) is useless.

Answer 2

Well, I've bathed plenty of dogs and children, and it got mixed results. Some liked it and some freaked out. 1. Consult the dog's doctor. This is a common problem- often veterinarians prescribe medication for this. 2. Do not get water in the ears of your pets. Most pets and children don't like this. Some breeds are made for the water and have protective ear covering but not the Maltese. Put cotton in their ears if they allow it. Save the ear washing for something outside of the tub. 3. It might be the water. Don't run a tub when the pet is in there. Use only warm water and do not fill up more that a couple of inches. 4. It might be the tub. I found it easier to bathe small dogs in tubs that are not bathtubs. You can buy these in K mart or Target. Make sure you have their favorite treats available. Take a test run first- make it a game (you can do this with the bathtub, too.) If they associate the bath or whatever tub with fun, the process should be easier. You might buy 2 tubs- one for a lather and one for a rinse. 5. Use only soft washcloths... make it a massage session. 6. Patience is needed with both children and animals. Don't give up- you can teach them that bathtime is fun. Antonio

Answer 3

I'm not a vet , but I know that dog is man's best friend and I would try this( it worked for my adopted dog) I'd turn on Beethoven's 7 or just any soft music, or silence with the sound of a old fashion alarm clock that tick's loud enough so your dog can relax too it. Hugh your dog or pet her to relax her to one of the sounds I said. Relax yourself with her to let her feel that everything is all right. Slowly petting her and she feels that you are alright and everything is fine she'll began to come into your world, but you must do this as much as possible, everytime she does what she does. She is very intelligent and remember that she is your best friend because she does understand more than you think. Tell your other family members the same thing and do not scold her when she gets in her mood remember she has needs too or get her fixed.

Answer 4

Hi. I too have a very nervous femal mixed breed. Her seperation anxiety was sooo great when we got her she would be hoarse from crying and howling when we came home. I leave on relaxing music or the tv when I leave. Also I never sneak out on her. However, She is free to roam the house when we are gone. Check out National Geographic/Ceaser Milan. He is really great at dealing with problem animals. Do you put her in her cage any other time or just when you leave? have you tried rewarding her after you return with a treat, massage, or a walk? Maybe if you walked her b4 you put her in her pen. Good Luck. These dogs take alot of patience and time.

Answer 5

I would start by retraining her to the crate. Put her in it during times that you are home, so its not just when you leave that she goes in it. Make the crate a fun, happy place. Feed her her meals in it, give her special toys that she only gets when she is in the crate, i.e. a kong. Mix up your departure routine a little bit. People tend to do things in a certain order when they get ready to leave the house, and dogs can pick up on that system. So instead of putting her in the crate first thing, get on your coat, get your keys, maybe sit on the couch for a few minutes, then get her in her crate. Mix it up a bit, confuse her a little so she doesn't know what is going to happen next. And try to do it differently every single time. No patterns.
You can also try a DAP. It is a reproduction of a pheromone that lactating female dog emit to calm down their puppies. You can get it at just about any pet store. It comes in a diffuser form, so you just plug it in and leave it for a month. You need to change refills every month. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Answer 6

I am a Canine Behaviorist and Trainer and I HIGHLY suggest you find someone in my line of work to come work with you. There is not enough time in my day to type the suggestions to you. Sorry. A trainer alone will not fix the problem, you really need a dog behaviorist. Try looking online at the International Association of Canine Behaviorists. These people work wonders. Drugs from the vet will only mask the problem, not fix it. Good luck

Answer 7

There are over the counter puppy tranqs. Ask your vet if they might be a good substitute for the expensive prescription.

Hold your dog as close and tightly to your body as you are able, until it is completely relaxed. Do this as often as you are able. There is something about being embraced, absolutely enveloped in my arms that has always relaxed nervous animals.

Give it a try.

Answer 8

There are some great all natural products out there that will help with nerves naturally. A really great one is called " Rescue Remedy" if you follow the instructions it should really help your dog. Olive oil has the essential fatty acids animals need in their diets.. make sure it is cold pressed olive oil..but I dont see why that would help with nervousness.