[angiesample]

My Ella was recently diagnosed with a mild form of separation anxiety. I asked the vet about different techniques to try to help her not get so anxious. But she mainly told me about "crate games" which i already do some of them... but i was wondering if any one had any other ideas? Ive been doing research and havent had that much luck. My sister in law has a dog that has severe seperation anxiety and she takes her dog to a behaviorist and has put the dog on prozac and stuff, so ive seen first hand how bad this can get and i want to do everything i can to prevent this from getting any worse.

We do live in an apartment so she is always with us, even when she goes potty. We take her on at least one walk a day and i do agility with her once a week. I do not deny that she is our "baby" and we do shelter her. However, we do take her places all the time and she does fine meeting other dogs and ppl.

Oh she is 9 months old an Australian Shepard, border collie, heeler mix.. approximately 22lbs and shes spayed.

If u have any suggestions please help.

Thank you so much for responding!

[Todd]

How long is the walk she's getting? The mix of breeds in your dog are highly active and have very high energy levels therefore requireing high amounts of excercise. Just walking may not be enough. They need run time to really burn energy. Bordom and lack of exercise quite oftenly results in separation anxiety. at least an hour or more of run time per day should help a lot. Some dogs require more than others. besides the breed, it also depends on the individual dog so experiement with it and see what works out for her.

Here are a few links to older threads where myself and others have given other separation anxiety advice including methods of resolving the issue;

Rescue Dog with Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety in 8 year old dog

Here are some additional helpful links;

Dog Separation Anxiety Help - Information, Tips, Remedies and Cures for Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Here are some natural remedies that can help;

Natural Remedies for Separation Anxiety in Dogs ? An Alternative to Antidepressants

[cigwyllt]

What symptoms is she displaying? What is your routine when you leave her? What do you do when you come back?

My oldest dog exhibited extreme behaviours when I first rescued her - I couldn't go to the bathroom without her destroying something of mine! But she is now calm enough to be left and will come trotting to her bed when she hears the kitchen door closing - it's only closed when we leave the house.

[angiesample]

Well she gets very shaking and hides before i even mention "kenneling up" she just seems to know. It doesnt matter if i have a treat or toy she wont come to me... so i walk over to her and sit with her for a min and then i carry her over to her box and guide her in there, i dont push her. then i give her her cookie, but she doesnt eat it. and then she starts whining like im torturing her. I do a lot of "crate games" she eats her dinner in there and i will throw a treat in there once a day and she goes in just fine. Also, if my husband puts her in her box she does fine.. its just me.

She gets a lot of exercise between walks, going to the dog park, agility, and i do 3, 10 min training sessions 3-4 times a week. She loves training! She really is a very happy dog but she is very connected to me. I mean she is the bathroom with me if im in there. Where ever i go, she is there. Shes very intuitive she knows when im upset.. she just knows.

Also we have taken her to be boarded several time including "doggie day camp" and she does wonderfully as long as i dont drop her off.. She loves ppl and loves other dogs. The vet said this isnt a horrible case but i just want to do everything i can to make this better. Let me know if u can think of anything. Thanks so much for any advice!

[LILLY]

Separation Anxiety is due to the pups mother abandoning them or pushing them away at such a young age and the pups being taken away from any siblings at about the age of 6 weeks thats to young they really shouldnt be taken till at least 8 weeks and to these pups they look to us to fill that gap. I know, this is what happend to our pup, the only reason we took her earlier then we should of was the mother did this and the owner couldnt look after them there were 9 pups ! Our Misty is 7 months now and she is the same and slowly getting better, but still has her moments of the separation anxiety ! We try to take her everywere with us and include her in quite alot , but there are times that we cant take her . What we do is test her alone for short periods of time and yes she screams like someones stripping her of her fur but she eventualy calms down we eventually stretch the time out little by little and all this seems to be working, you have to gain the trust of the dog and reasure them that you will return, they will eventually be able to understand and be comfortable enough to know you will return and when you do they will be as happy as anything wagging the tail like crazy when you do return! if they have been good while you were away reward them with a treat and a cuddle! they will catch on !

Border Collies are very active, our Misty has Border Collie in her , if they dont get enough exersize they use that energy to be distructive in any way shape or form. If you live in a small place it is hard for them to get rid of their energy.They are of a working breed and need to me on a constant move, I take our Misty for a hour fast walk every day and let her run, and boy can she run, like a bullet, but after all that she is calm and easier to handle!

[cigwyllt]

Has your vet mentioned the use of a DAP diffuser (dog appeasing pheromone)? It gives out a scent similar to that of the dam with the litter and many dogs find it calming. I think you can also get it as a room spray. A friend of mine uses it when she travels with the dog - just sprays it onto a bandanna and ties it around his neck.