I have a 5 1/2 year old boxer. I believe, after speaking with the vet, that he has separation anxiety which is getting worse. Would like advice on medications that others have tried because I am leary of giving him anything without hearing first hand advice.
some background. He nearly died when he was a puppy at a kennel because he refused to eat when we were on vacation. Stopped using kennels, in-home sitters work better. We moved 8 months ago, he has always had run of the house and seemed happier here with no problems except marking in the basement where previous owner's dog marked. 2 carpet cleanings and enzyme made that problem go away. Lost our in-home dogsitter so we had to kennel for 3 days a few months ago. He ate well but came home and started puking, peeing and pooping everywhere. Had to take him to the vet because he was horribly ill for about 3 days. No other dogs at the kennel were ill. She felt he had separation anxiety but I blew it off - over $200 worth of tests showed NO disease or problems. This has been getting progressively worse since he went in that kennel. Peed all over the dining room rug and chairs. Threw out the rug, cleaned all the chairs and thouroughly cleaned the wood floor. New rug lasted a few days and he peed all over it. Threw it out (good thing they were cheap rugs). It seems the more I do for him the worse he gets - I take him for more walks and give him more treats and he destructs more while we are gone. Have tried the kong but he doesn't take long to clean it out - HUGE TONGUE!!! He has always been "curious" getting whatever he can off of counters, out of the sink, opening cabinets while we are gone but this behavior is getting worse. Within 30 minutes he has destructed all kinds of stuff. I am tired of my house being a wreck! I put him in the crate - there is no other option, and yes we did try to do the procedure of acclimating him to the crate - he has always hated the crate and he vomits and drools in the crate, shaking uncontrolably as we start to put on coats. I hate the crate for 2 reasons - I want the dog to protect my house and he hates the crate, it seems so cruel and he never gets used to it. Tried when he was a puppy. He howls in the crate as well - so loudly you can hear it outside. I am to the point of wanting to try medication but I want advice from those who have tried it. Oh, and I have reviewed the whole list of stuff that you shouldn't do for anxiety ridden dogs - I am guilty of breaking all the rules but I can't make myself live by those rules. How the heck do you ignore a boxer for 15 minutes when you get home? I realize a great deal of these problems are my own fault but I think his anxiety has gotton a lot worse since our last kennel visit and since my son was born , he is totally attached to his "brother". My son loves this dog and they are best friends - I think he gets upset when my son isn't around.
My husband decided he would allow Aramis to be gated in our kitchen which is quite roomy - we returned within an hour and he destructed the screen door, tore off some of the wood trim and ate screen material. Blood everywhere and a very agitated dog. He wasn't hurt, just surface cut and with drool the blood appeared worse. We can't let him hurt himself so he is now in the cage every time we leave which I hate.
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated but I would like to especially know if medication has worked for you because I see his strength allowing him to get out of the cage soon, he is close!
some background. He nearly died when he was a puppy at a kennel because he refused to eat when we were on vacation. Stopped using kennels, in-home sitters work better. We moved 8 months ago, he has always had run of the house and seemed happier here with no problems except marking in the basement where previous owner's dog marked. 2 carpet cleanings and enzyme made that problem go away. Lost our in-home dogsitter so we had to kennel for 3 days a few months ago. He ate well but came home and started puking, peeing and pooping everywhere. Had to take him to the vet because he was horribly ill for about 3 days. No other dogs at the kennel were ill. She felt he had separation anxiety but I blew it off - over $200 worth of tests showed NO disease or problems. This has been getting progressively worse since he went in that kennel. Peed all over the dining room rug and chairs. Threw out the rug, cleaned all the chairs and thouroughly cleaned the wood floor. New rug lasted a few days and he peed all over it. Threw it out (good thing they were cheap rugs). It seems the more I do for him the worse he gets - I take him for more walks and give him more treats and he destructs more while we are gone. Have tried the kong but he doesn't take long to clean it out - HUGE TONGUE!!! He has always been "curious" getting whatever he can off of counters, out of the sink, opening cabinets while we are gone but this behavior is getting worse. Within 30 minutes he has destructed all kinds of stuff. I am tired of my house being a wreck! I put him in the crate - there is no other option, and yes we did try to do the procedure of acclimating him to the crate - he has always hated the crate and he vomits and drools in the crate, shaking uncontrolably as we start to put on coats. I hate the crate for 2 reasons - I want the dog to protect my house and he hates the crate, it seems so cruel and he never gets used to it. Tried when he was a puppy. He howls in the crate as well - so loudly you can hear it outside. I am to the point of wanting to try medication but I want advice from those who have tried it. Oh, and I have reviewed the whole list of stuff that you shouldn't do for anxiety ridden dogs - I am guilty of breaking all the rules but I can't make myself live by those rules. How the heck do you ignore a boxer for 15 minutes when you get home? I realize a great deal of these problems are my own fault but I think his anxiety has gotton a lot worse since our last kennel visit and since my son was born , he is totally attached to his "brother". My son loves this dog and they are best friends - I think he gets upset when my son isn't around.
My husband decided he would allow Aramis to be gated in our kitchen which is quite roomy - we returned within an hour and he destructed the screen door, tore off some of the wood trim and ate screen material. Blood everywhere and a very agitated dog. He wasn't hurt, just surface cut and with drool the blood appeared worse. We can't let him hurt himself so he is now in the cage every time we leave which I hate.
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated but I would like to especially know if medication has worked for you because I see his strength allowing him to get out of the cage soon, he is close!
