Originally Posted by makahana

omg she found a way out of the kitchen, the only thing I can think of is that she jumped the gate, it is nearly 4' high. Zoe is a shih tzu/lhasa apso. I watched from the webcam at work, she didn't stop crying and barking for 3 hours. Then I didn't see her for quite a while. I drove home and there she was out of the kitchen. Jumping and screeching at me. I put her in the crate for the afternoon, she pooped in it. Geez, I am so depressed, I hate to see her so upset. I had given her 2 of the wafers, tomorrow I guess I'll try 3 and see if there is any difference. Just needed to cry to someone. thanks

((((Big Hug)))))

It can be so frustrating dealing with a dog's separation anxiety. Let's see, you've tried the Kong-with-peanut-butter and you've tried options presented by the vet and trainer. The wafers...may or may not be helping. I've read that crating can be counterproductive for separation anxiety so if possible I'd avoid that--the pooping is a stress response not retaliation or anything. Other things I can think of to try if you haven't already:

Bach's Rescue Remedy
Valerian (an herbal version of valium)
St. John's Wart
Leave a piece of clothing you've worn recently with her to smell
leave the tv or radio on
change your departure routine
keep your departures and arrivals low-key -- if you are stressed she will sense it and be stressed

[CorkyMax]

One more thing that I just remembered---Just saw this yesterday--can't remember where--either in a reply to someone in another forum or in a newsletter I get. You might want to go into that forum--if it is in there--would give more detail than I can Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca

It was to make a recording of your voice talking to the dog and have it play while you were away--make the dog more secure. There must be a way to have this play ;-)at least once--maybe can be set up to play more than once-I don't know but somebody could help you with that!

Originally Posted by Frecs

((((Big Hug)))))

It can be so frustrating dealing with a dog's separation anxiety. Let's see, you've tried the Kong-with-peanut-butter and you've tried options presented by the vet and trainer. The wafers...may or may not be helping. I've read that crating can be counterproductive for separation anxiety so if possible I'd avoid that--the pooping is a stress response not retaliation or anything. Other things I can think of to try if you haven't already:

Bach's Rescue Remedy
Valerian (an herbal version of valium)
St. John's Wart
Leave a piece of clothing you've worn recently with her to smell
leave the tv or radio on
change your departure routine
keep your departures and arrivals low-key -- if you are stressed she will sense it and be stressed

We've done all of that except for trying the rescue remedy, valerian, and St. John's wart. Thanks, I will try them. I heard that crating is good, but we did try to put her in the kitchen and she jumped the 4 ft. gate, we think (can't find any other way she could have got out). I wonder what would happen if we don't put her in anything, close all the hallway doors and just keep her to a couple rooms. I wonder if she would tear things up? Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

One more thing that I just remembered---Just saw this yesterday--can't remember where--either in a reply to someone in another forum or in a newsletter I get. You might want to go into that forum--if it is in there--would give more detail than I can Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca

It was to make a recording of your voice talking to the dog and have it play while you were away--make the dog more secure. There must be a way to have this play ;-)at least once--maybe can be set up to play more than once-I don't know but somebody could help you with that!

Wow that sounds interesting, I'll go check it out. I could record on the digital recorder and download it to a cd that will play over and over. Thanks!

Originally Posted by makahana

We've done all of that except for trying the rescue remedy, valerian, and St. John's wart. Thanks, I will try them. I heard that crating is good, but we did try to put her in the kitchen and she jumped the 4 ft. gate, we think (can't find any other way she could have got out). I wonder what would happen if we don't put her in anything, close all the hallway doors and just keep her to a couple rooms. I wonder if she would tear things up? Thanks for the help.

My dog Sabastian did much better not being left in a crate...I was afraid he'd destroy stuff but he didn't. But, each dog is different. I will tell you that I did try the Rescue Remedy, valerian, and St. John's Wart. While others say that they are very helpful, they did nothing for Sabastian. Again, each dog is so different.

Again, I don't know what you have and haven't done so just take this as a brainstorming session:

Perhaps trick training or an activity like agility or flyball would build her confidence so she can handle being alone better?

In a recent edition of Animal Wellness Magazine I saw ads for recordings of music made specifically for calming dogs--apparently at sound frequencies that dogs enjoy??--that might be an option as well.

Originally Posted by Frecs

My dog Sabastian did much better not being left in a crate...I was afraid he'd destroy stuff but he didn't. But, each dog is different. I will tell you that I did try the Rescue Remedy, valerian, and St. John's Wart. While others say that they are very helpful, they did nothing for Sabastian. Again, each dog is so different.

Again, I don't know what you have and haven't done so just take this as a brainstorming session:

Perhaps trick training or an activity like agility or flyball would build her confidence so she can handle being alone better?

In a recent edition of Animal Wellness Magazine I saw ads for recordings of music made specifically for calming dogs--apparently at sound frequencies that dogs enjoy??--that might be an option as well.

Another great idea, and I have to go search trick trainings and agility and flyball, never heard of them (first pup ever) Also, we decided to close all the hallway doors and just let her go.Thank goodness we aren't rich with expensive furniture, lol just kidding. We have cats but they are all used to each other now, so we'll see how it goes. Also, tomorrow is her first grooming appt. with the person that is also our trainer. She said that she wants to see how she acts when I am not there. I'll let you know, thanks for all your help.

Originally Posted by makahana

Another great idea, and I have to go search trick trainings and agility and flyball, never heard of them (first pup ever) Also, we decided to close all the hallway doors and just let her go.Thank goodness we aren't rich with expensive furniture, lol just kidding. We have cats but they are all used to each other now, so we'll see how it goes. Also, tomorrow is her first grooming appt. with the person that is also our trainer. She said that she wants to see how she acts when I am not there. I'll let you know, thanks for all your help.

And don't let anyone tell you that a lap dog like you have can't do agility. They can have just as much fun as the big dawgs. Trick training can be a blast. You can teach her to shake hands and sit pretty (beg) and dance and roll over and play dead and all sorts of fun stuff.

Another thing you can do if you would be interested is get certified as a Therapy Dog (Therapy Dogs) and take your dog to nursing homes, hospitals, or schools. Certification will require that your dog pass the Canine Good Citizen test or one very similar to it. All those tricks can be quite entertaining for the people you go visit. :-D

Originally Posted by Frecs

And don't let anyone tell you that a lap dog like you have can't do agility. They can have just as much fun as the big dawgs. Trick training can be a blast. You can teach her to shake hands and sit pretty (beg) and dance and roll over and play dead and all sorts of fun stuff.

Another thing you can do if you would be interested is get certified as a Therapy Dog (Therapy Dogs) and take your dog to nursing homes, hospitals, or schools. Certification will require that your dog pass the Canine Good Citizen test or one very similar to it. All those tricks can be quite entertaining for the people you go visit. :-D

Thanks again, Zoe's already my therapy dog, honestly my husband and I were having a very bad time in our 25 year marriage and after he got me Zoe for Christmas we have become closer, she's already brought so much into our lives.