Oh Goodness...anxiety?

[KristinJ]

Well, I think what I've been afraid of happening.. is happening.

I think Stanley is having separation anxiety, and I don't know what to do about it. It started after I went to Italy and left him with Scott (the boyfriend) for 10 days. It's not his fault, he loved keeping Stanley and came home on his lunch breaks and didn't go out much after work because he just wanted to play with Stanley! Stanley also didn't whine or bark while staying with him. But ever since Stanley "got me back," he's been screeching (!) when I lock him up. Like I'm going to abandon him or something.

It was especially bad when I had him at my parents' house for the 4th. I had to put him in my room in the back because so many people were going in/out of the house and I was afraid he'd get out. He just shrieked the entire time. :( I guess it was worse than normal because he could hear us from there.

I leave the radio on when I'm home, so I just leave it on when he's put up in my room to maybe try to ease the feeling.

What else can I do? Maybe it's time for another baby. :) I need an excuse to get one, and some people have said that was their solution.

[Morkie4]

Sounds like the boyfriend took good care of him (maybe spoiled him a bit) and had his own routine with Stanley. It could be separation anxiety. I know Kallie had it and she was older 2 1/2 when we adoped her.

I read a lot about separation anxiety on the web and even called my vet about it. The information on the web said getting another dog would not fix the problem as the anxiety was being caused by the absence of YOU. Ok so called the vet and pretty much got the same answer even though I argued the point (dog whisperer) that dogs are pack animals. Vet said hubby and I were now Kallie's pack.

We didn't know what to do............her anxiety was in the form of going potty in her crate or in the house EVERYTIME we left. We were just about ready to give up after six long months of coming home to soiling in the house when we saw a little yorkie for sale (maltese and yorkie were our two fav breeds). So we decided to add another dog setting aside all information and vet recommendations. So we added Toby, our Yorkie. From the day Toby set foot in our home, Kallie has NEVER soiled in the house again and she is so much more settled. And then we added Brandy, then Buffy........we are done adding; our pack is big enough. :) Now when we say, "We have to go away now, but we will be back,".........they stare at us but it's like ok, see ya when ya get back. :)

So don't know if it will fix your issues with Stanley and as I said eveything says "NO" to adding a dog to fix separation anxiety problems...........but what can I say, it worked for us.

[jdy]

i thought deuci had S/A but it was cupcake who was digging the walls whenever i wasnt home. She did it out of boredom.

I dont know much about S/A but what if you get a kong toy to keep him busy or pratice leaving him 10 mins at a time by himself?

[Miss Melanie]

I hope you find what works for you and helps Stanley. I know that can't be much fun.

I have heard many times that leaving a kong is a great help so try that one.

Good luck!
Melanie

[Ashley V]

Sounds like the boyfriend took good care of him (maybe spoiled him a bit) and had his own routine with Stanley. It could be separation anxiety. I know Kallie had it and she was older 2 1/2 when we adoped her.

I read a lot about separation anxiety on the web and even called my vet about it. The information on the web said getting another dog would not fix the problem as the anxiety was being caused by the absence of YOU. Ok so called the vet and pretty much got the same answer even though I argued the point (dog whisperer) that dogs are pack animals. Vet said hubby and I were now Kallie's pack.

We didn't know what to do............her anxiety was in the form of going potty in her crate or in the house EVERYTIME we left. We were just about ready to give up after six long months of coming home to soiling in the house when we saw a little yorkie for sale (maltese and yorkie were our two fav breeds). So we decided to add another dog setting aside all information and vet recommendations. So we added Toby, our Yorkie. From the day Toby set foot in our home, Kallie has NEVER soiled in the house again and she is so much more settled. And then we added Brandy, then Buffy........we are done adding; our pack is big enough. :) Now when we say, "We have to go away now, but we will be back,".........they stare at us but it's like ok, see ya when ya get back. :)

So don't know if it will fix your issues with Stanley and as I said eveything says "NO" to adding a dog to fix separation anxiety problems...........but what can I say, it worked for us.

Smokey had the same problem as Kallie. He would pace in a nervous circle in his crate, even when we were home, then soil it. We fixed it by letting both Chip and Smokey free roam for a few months and now he can stay in a crate WITH Chip.

[KristinJ]

Thanks everybody. I think this just may be the excuse I need to get another little one. :)

I have tried the Kong thing, he's the first dog i've ever heard of that won't ever touch it!! I can't figure out why, he usually loves toys.

[omega]

None of my dogs like kongs. If I put something in the kong, they will try half heartedly to get it out, but they do not like it otherwise.

My dane had s/a when I brought him home at 2-1/2. He chewed a plastic gate till he bled, he peed on the floor - when a dane pees, it's no little puddle. :lol2: After maybe 6-8 times of me leaving and him doing that, he stopped. He finally realized I was coming back and he could just rest when I was gone.

He won't eat or play with anything while he is alone - he just sleeps and waits for me. :) (my sons gf verified this when she was around and Landon was put in the kitchen area.

Anyhow, there are several things on the market you can use for calming - lots of natural remedies to help the dog settle down. I have used a couple of different sprays that you use on the bedding or just in the room the dogs are in. I have had good success with them.

How old is Stanley? How long does he stay alone every day? Is he kept in his crate?

[KristinJ]

Stanley is around 8 months.

The time he's home alone has varied a lot lately, due to it being summer and me having no set schedule.

When he's "locked up," he's just in my bedroom. I used to put him in his Xpen at night, and when I was gone, but he's been good about holding it and doesn't destroy anything so I've been letting him have the room to play in with his toys and such when I'm gone. He'll still use his crate to nap in though.