Reddit reviews Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs

So, why is reducing the prozac necessary?

Seriously?

If his anxiety is lowered to the point that hes not ruining fences, jumping out windows, jumping down from the second story...all I'm seeing is a very strong argument for not weaning him off. At least not yet.

When did you adopt him? I'm getting the impression hes pretty new to you still?

If hes still within his first year then hes still very much settling in. If hes within the first few weeks or months then...he doesn't know hes staying yet. Honestly.

Waiting until hes settled would be a much better plan. Not least of which because you could be stacking stress on stress: new home, new rules, being alone (this is serious separation anxiety), AND weaning meds is a LOT to manage all at once.

In a year, when hes calmer overall and feels safe, knows the rules, knows the house, etc, you are more likely to have good luck with weaning drugs.

If THIS is him a year in and weaning drugs then you need to talk to a vet behaviorist who specializes in separation anxiety.

Also, no matter what, call your vet and tell them what weaning off the drugs is causing. This isnt normal or ok and you're extremely lucky he wasnt seriously injured or killed during this panic. If they recommend still reducing the meds you need a different vet.

I'd start with the one the rescue was using who originally prescribed the prozac, as theyll have his history and be familiar with his case.

Also, I'd seriously recommend this book: https://www.amazon.ca/Treating-Separation-Anxiety-Malena-Demartini-Price/dp/1617811432/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=separation+anxiety+dog&qid=1570335464&sprefix=separation+anxiety+&sr=8-3

> I say possibly good news because Ive read ALOT that companion animals definitley help with Separation Anxiety dogs.

This is only true for a very small percent of SA dogs. It might mask some of the outward signs, but it is by no means a cure for SA. Further, if your dog is uncomfortable with the other dogs, I highly doubt that it would help. And even if it does seem to mask some of this dog's symptoms, what if your roommates decide to take their dogs on a walk/vacation/to the vet, and your dog needs to be left alone? He still has SA.

As far as "success stories," we've been working on desensitizing my dog to being home alone for 6 months. We're currently at 35 min max time home alone. This doesn't sound like success story unless you've lived it, but it's a pretty typical trajectory for separation anxiety treatment. I think our success story is really that I haven't gone completely insane yet...Our dog goes to daycare daily while we work, and it's not cheap. His SA has put a huge damper on my social life, we take the dog with us everywhere, and he spends a lot of time in the car.

I'm not saying that you should or shouldn't get this dog, but I would definitely think about whether or not you have the time, patience, sanity, and finances needed to help a dog with SA. If you do adopt, or even prior to adoption, I would immediately pick up a copy of Treating Separation Anxiety in Dogs, I'll Be Home Soon, and Don't leave me!

Reactivity is its own beast, and u/ASleepandAForgetting tackled that issue well in their (edited to remove gender, I apologize!) comment.

malena demartini's treating separation anxiety in dogs is written for dog professionals but has a couple treatment plans in the back that i've (sort of) implemented with my dogs (their issues aren't nearly as great as yours--my heart goes out to you & your pup). ideally someone is with the dog at all times (daycare, dog sitter or walker, family or neighbors, etc) while you work through the plan--that takes some finagling. she also recommends a treat & train or pet tutor (i can't remember which). there's also MIA the robot -- it doesn't solve your problem right now because it's currently gathering funding via kickstarter, but part of its function is to detect when your dog is vocalizing & then begin moving around the room while dropping treats.

if you're not seeing any positive changes (or not to a great enough degree) using the adaptil, i would also encourage you to talk with your vet about meds. when this was something i wanted to discuss with my vet, i had no idea where to begin. the overview on debbie jacobs's fearful dogs website was really helpful to me.

edit: it occurred to me after i posted my reply that you were looking for something that might lessen the severity of the separation anxiety immediately, so i don't think my reply is that helpful--sorry. :\

Your best option is to train the dog to stay inside and do everything you can to encourage the dog to sleep while you are out. Dogs rarely entertain themselves by playing with toys when they are alone. Destructive behaviours, barking and whining are more common forms of entertainment...

Is there a bathroom / laundry area or room of the house that you can dog proof? Use baby gates to close it off. Before you leave the dog, spend at least an hour on the dog's mental and physical exercise. Walk is not sufficient. Active games such as fetch AND training or brain work is essential. Leave the dog with breakfast in kongs or similar - ideally the dog will work through the kongs and then be tired out and sleep for a few hours. Build up the time left alone gradually.

Get a video camera so you can consistently record his behaviour. This will help you work out whether he's bored or suffering separation anxiety. If the latter, the 'gold standard' for addressing this problem is Malena DeMartini's approach. There's an online course, and a book: https://www.amazon.com/Treating-Separation-Anxiety-Malena-Demartini-Price/dp/1617811432

>Last week was the first week we left our dog alone again

I'm hoping the dog is used to being without you both (& the other dog) for a few hours at least? If not you will need to build it up gradually.

Separation anxiety can be brutal -- I'm sorry that you have to deal with it.

This book is the answer. Malena DeMartini is the industry expert in treating separation anxiety in dogs. It's not easy, and for dogs who are severely impacted, the process of helping them cope with being alone can literally take months of dedicated time. Nevertheless, DeMartini's methods are said to work wonders if you stick to the technique. She also has classes available.

You need to find a good behaviourist to work with you, this is a common, but very challenging condition to treat.

This is by far the best book on the subject, and explains how complex these cases are to manage.

What country are you in? You are probably best to find a veterinary behaviourist, and if I know where you're from I can help point you in the right direction to find one.

You're doing okay!

My adult dog had some accidents, lots of separation anxiety and affection issues, and took a while to adjust (maybe is still adjusting)

Remind yourself that you care and have the time and patience to help this little guy. You're already doing so many things right.

And then start reading (though you sound like you have been). Read to inform yourself and read to stay motivated.

Try some Cesar Milan books for communication tips
Look up T-touch massage
This kindle book

Treating separation anxiety is unfortunately a long road for many dogs, and there's a good chance that will be the case with this dog. My dog's behaviorist (who we work with for his SA) says you can expect the condition to take at least as long to resolve as it took to develop. This seems important to note because odds are reasonable that this behavior predates/is what let her life as a stray. Someone wasn't able or willing to fix the problem.

If you cannot arrange to never leave her alone as you treat, medication will almost certainly be necessary. You'll need a veterinary behaviorist for this, because regular vet's typically aren't well equipped when it comes to the newest and best psychotropics.

I haven't read it, but I've heard lots of good things about Malena Demartini-Price's book.

Straight off the bat my top two recommendations are:

• Give her a dogproof room as "her space" when you aren't home. Many dogs with SA have co-morbid claustrophobia and may injure themselves trying to escape from crates
  
  
• Invest in some white noise machines to put around the house. I live in a single family home now and my SA dog was a big driver for that - he was never able to get used to living sounds from the apartments around us when we were in shared buildings.

If this is actual anxiety, it isn't just about the right toys and exercise (those things help, however) it's about desensitization. I highly recommend this book.

Is she the only dog? She's never been alone before.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogtraining/wiki/separationanxiety



Your placement rep should have some very good advice for you as well as other resource people in you adoption group.




This book by Patricia McConnell is often recommended for separation anxiety.

This one by Malena Demartini-Price is also often recommended.

I found a book that I read last night by a dog trainer for dog trainers:
https://www.amazon.com/Treating-Separation-Anxiety-Malena-Demartini-Price/dp/1617811432

In addition to working on Place commands, it suggest use a remote treat dispenser, a game of find it, and a gradual desensitization to being out of sight. I am kind of cash poor, so I appreciated finding some sort of plan to tackle this and thought others might too :)