Separation Anxiety

[FreyasMom]

Well, a couple weeks ago Freya broke her tooth. Couldn't figure out how, she loves to chew but that shouldn't have broke her tooth. Then I started to put it all together. He kennel is rusty, we come home to the kennel floor being wet, she never plays with the toys we leave for her when we are gone, etc. Asked the vet when we took her to get her tooth checked, and yep, separation anxiety. So I got her a Thundershirt and she loves it and it calms her down, till we leave. We set-up a camera and left her one day, instantly when we leave she starts to do this horrible low howl sound and paws at her kennel and licks it and pulls at it with her teeth trying to escape. We sat and watched this for 10 min straight, I couldn’t handle it anymore I had to go back to let her out. So we decided to get her a plastic kennel in hopes that she wouldn’t be able to hurt herself, no such luck. She still is able to grab at it and the slobber on the floor was even worse. So we put in a blanket that smelled like us, no luck she had it all torn up. We had to have her tooth pulled so now she is missing a tooth :-( but I am still concerned at her safety. We tried to let her roam the house when we are not there, but she destroys everything and pees and poops too (but wont in her kennel). So I am not sure what else to do, the vet said that meds may be our next choice, which I hate to do, but I can’t stand to see her so upset and destructive. She is the sweetest thing and I feel so bad leaving her it is terrible. I don’t want her to hurt herself again. We even tried putting her in her kennel for like 15 min before we leave and keep her in there for 15 min when we get home, but that didn’t help either. I have read some of the other posts and such but am not sure if anyone has any other ideas?

Thank you!

 

[Brindlegirly]

My first boxer had this. I think he thought he was a person, and/or was too attached to me. He freaked out too when left alone. We even got another dog to keep him company, but it didn't work. He also broke teeth and toe nails getting out of his crate. Once he bit a hole in the side until he escaped. Or he could somehow manage to get the bars to move and open the door of the crate...? He had huge piles of slobber all around too. If left out he would destroy door knobs, scratch at the doors, holes in walls, chew up anything he could get his mouth on, tons of different clothing items, vegetable oil (then puked everywhere) bag of flour, huge window blind, blankets, pillows...the list goes on and on. He never out grew it or got better with age. If anything he got worse. I think they can be rehabilitated, but it takes a lot of patience and time. Baby steps. Like getting ready to leave, then really not. Picking up your car keys, but then not leaving. Putting on your shoes, you know, things you'd do to get ready to leave. The build up, but not actually leaving. Then leaving for short times, few minutes and building up. Is there a thing that she'd love to have in her crate that she would be keep her focus on? Maybe a big meaty bone from the market? Then stand outside the door and come back in before she freaks out? How are you when you get home? Is she your first priority? You should leave her for 5-10 min, don't talk to her or anything. Then let her out and almost ignore her for a bit. Pet her, but don't make a huge deal of it. If you get her all wound up, it's like praising her for the bad she did in her crate. Same when you leave her. Don't drag it on by petting her and loving on her before hand. Put her in, give a treat, shut the door and leave. Don't talk to her. It makes them anxious and takes them out of the calm state, even if you are talking calm.
Hope she gets better! Trust me, I feel your PAIN!! That's why friends and family asked if I needed my head examined when I said we were getting another boxer! ! Good luck! Be strong! She needs you more than anything to be her leader. She's not getting that from you now. (I learn the hard way too)

 

[Jeremichi]

My old boxer had it as well. The vet perscribed clomocalm and I gave it to him for about a week and then stopped because he wasn't his normal happy self. I ended up getting another dog from a rescue to keep him company and it worked great. I guess its just hit or miss with what works to help.

 

[FreyasMom]

Thank you all for the info. At least I know I am not alone :-( She starts her meds today, so I am just hoping that they help and dont change her, she is such a good puppy.

 

[EllieKem]

Gates?

I have a friend who's boxer also broke a tooth on the kennel and pee'd in it almost EVERYDAY for about a year. Until she was perfectly housebroke he couldn't let her out but once he did - she was cured. She spends most of the day on the sofa looking out the window. Maybe she was young when you tried to get rid of kennel?

Grasping I know, but I wanted to let you know that I kept my dog in the breakfast nook and then in the nook/kitchen with baby gates till she was properly broke of piddling and chewing. Adding more room as she got older and now she is fine in the house for however long. With the axiety though it might be hard to keep her in with just a baby gate and you may need a more sturdy dog gate?

 

[Sansal]

I agree that a small area (w baby gates) might be a better option for her. For example you could puppy proof a bathroom. If you think she might climb or jump over a gate you can stack two on top of each other.

 

[FreyasMom]

I have a friend who's boxer also broke a tooth on the kennel and pee'd in it almost EVERYDAY for about a year. Until she was perfectly housebroke he couldn't let her out but once he did - she was cured. She spends most of the day on the sofa looking out the window. Maybe she was young when you tried to get rid of kennel?

Grasping I know, but I wanted to let you know that I kept my dog in the breakfast nook and then in the nook/kitchen with baby gates till she was properly broke of piddling and chewing. Adding more room as she got older and now she is fine in the house for however long. With the axiety though it might be hard to keep her in with just a baby gate and you may need a more sturdy dog gate?

I wish that was the case, but she is two and never has issues in her kennel, only when we leave her out :-( I want to keep trying so we will have to gradually keep trying different things I think cause I hate having her in the kennel.

Thanks

 

[FreyasMom]

I agree that a small area (w baby gates) might be a better option for her. For example you could puppy proof a bathroom. If you think she might climb or jump over a gate you can stack two on top of each other.

We tired this once but I think it is worth trying again. The first time she still found stuff, so just to figure out all the things she thinks are fun is the challenge :-D

 

[Brindlegirly]

I kept my dog in a small mud room with my washer and dryer. Didn't help him. He would chew and slobber the door knob, holes in walls, ripped up flooring, tore off door frame.... He was also able to go out a dog door when it wasn't bitter cold. He liked sleeping in his crate, just not trapped in.... I would try meds and in the crate for now. No way would I do a bathroom or kitchen! Not unless you don't mind things being destroyed!

 

[oessister]

Having this exact problem!

My 8 yr old male is having issues as well. Thinking back, I think it started in 2009 when my then husband left to attend police academy. I was diagnosed with cancer shortly thereafter and he became mor clingy. I just thought he could sense I was sick. Hubby and I divorced in march and puppy and I moved from MD to FL a Fe weeks ago. He has chewed on doorknob and clawed the trim on to doors, broken a new gate and clawed carpet today. We are renting this house so I'm really needing him to get better. I did get som Prozac for him, he has tons of toys, hasn't used a crate in year because of the drooling and escaping some of you mentioned. It's like he's a puppy again. I have. Dog walker that comes daily while I'm at work.....may have to double that for a while. I adore him but this is stressing me out. Any suggestions??