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OK, people may hate me for suggesting this, and under normal circumstance I NEVER would, but given that you have a few days, pissed off neighbours, and a very upset puppy here it is: GRAVOL.
My dog has HORRIBLE separation anxiety, to the point where he was kicked out of daycare the night before my FI had a MAJOR client meeting he couldn;t miss, and the same week I started my new job and couldn't take time off. Everyone we know works during the day, and no one could watch him until we found a new daycare so our trainer suggested it as an absolute final resort. It has much the same effect on people as it does on dogs: it will ease his anxiety and he'll just sleep (peacefully) for the day. We gave it to him and he slept all day.....he was totally fine when we got home, and our neighbours didn't hear a peep.
Just MAKE SURE you call a vet and ask them how much to give them (it depends on the weight of the dog). Again, this is an absolute last-case scenario resort, but it DOES work.
Did the people you're dog sitting for give you any advice about this? Do they have a crate? Our dog does the same thing, our neighbors would always tell us how he'd howl and slam himself against the window out front when we were gone. He's 6, my husband's had him since 4 months old, and we've tried everything. Right now he's on prozac and still he goes crazy when we leave, poor thing. One thing that we do is make sure to ignore him when we leave and come home, that way seeing us isn't as exciting. It also helps to give him a treat when we leave so he doesn't see us go, he's more interested in his bone. Other than that, I don't think there's much you can do so short term.
Hope it gets better, good luck dog sitting!
Separation anxiety is hard! For everyone involved, especially the dog. I volunteer with a rescue group and see a lot of dogs with anxiety and it takes a lot of time to help the dogs learn to deal with it. Since it isn't your dog and you already mentioned you don't have a lot of time, there isn't much you can do...
One suggestion I do have is to leave the TV or radio on for him when you are gone. I usually recommend some kind of soft music, Jazz or Classical music so there is noise, but you don't want yelling, other dogs barking (no animal planet), or sirens going off as that aggravate it even more. Also, if you have a kong or some kind of mind toy, you can put a little peanut butter (as long as the owners don't care) on the inside to give the dog something to do to keep their mind busy.
There are also toys at PetSmart/PetCo if you want to spend any money, that have a heart beat sound to them. This can calm the dog down since it reminds them of the humans.
If I think of any other options, I'll come back and add them for you.
Oh boy that's a toughie. My mom has a dog with seperation anxiety that was terrible for years! Our vet had to finally put him on clomacalm(sp?) The only non-medicinal thing that worked occasionally was leaving a TV or radio on. I guess it made him feel less alone/nervous. Good luck! Poor little thing he probably misses his mommy and daddy.
I don't have any suggestions for you.
However, I think this dog needs to be either crated or have a "safe space." My dog has seperation anxiety but he's gotten better. We used to crate him but it didn't really take. Instead, we keep him in the guest bedroom when we're out. Now he runs there if we put on our shoes or go to his treat bag. He knows that's where we go when we got out and he really doesn't mind being in there. He still freaks out if we run out quickly and don't put him in his room because he doesn't understand where we went. When he goes in his room he knows we'll be gone for a while.
A crate is a really good suggestion if the dog is crate trained. Even if it is not crate trained it will keep the dog from hurting itself in that way. Another sound that can calm the dog down (or maybe drown it out) is a fan/AC/dishwasher/etc. Do you have the friend's keys - maybe it would help the dog to be back at home.
I suggest calling your friends & asking what they do when the dog acts like this. They may already have a relationship w/dog walker or doggy day care so you won't have to deal with the paperwork. They also might have a few successful tricks. And, maybe they want to talk to their dog.
My FSIL's dog has this...they solved a problem by crating him in a very large crate - enough so that he can move around but not so much that he can destroy anything or hurt himself and that he feels safe.
The owners did not give us advice other than to leave him with his cuddle toy. We actually took it a step above and beyond by giving him bone when we leave so he can chew it all day. I will try the radio tomorrow, I can actually leave my TV on a radio station that will play music all day without commercials. I really hope that helps because I am totally stressed out from this!!
I will look for a heartbeat toy on my way home tonight. I do not mind spending the money at all, I feel so horrible for the poor dog and embarrased for myself since I JUST moved into this building and am already disturbing my neighbors.
There is great medication out there now that can change a dogs mentality and help him cope with the separation. You may want to consult the pup's vet.
Also, with small dogs they can feel quite scared and insecure especially in a new place so providing a place for him such as a crate covered with a blanket except for the opening (you can keep the crate open, but it allows the pup to seek shelter when he is feeling insecure.
Moreover, how much exercise is the pup getting? you might want to exercise the pup before leaving the house a good 30 minute walk/play that may tire the pup out may solve alot of the issues.
Lastly, get toys that may occupy the dogs mind. Such as a kong filled with treats. the pup will keep his mind occupied for several hours with a kong full of treats that he needs to work on to get out.
Good luck! Keep us updated.
Also, he is not crate trained and we don't have a crate or access to our friends apartment unfortunately. I would really rather not bother my friends, but I guess that's the responsible thing to do since they might know a better solution.
Oh yeah, Babies R Us has the heartbeat stuffed toys too. My dog liked it as a puppy to help deal when I left him sometimes, if you ask a pet store, they should be able to help you find it.
Also, if the owners left anything that may have their scent on it (blanket, towel, stuffed toy, bag) leave it with the dog, he can smell it and it can comfort him.
Sorry for all the random advice, I worked in a boarding facility for 2+ years and dealt with a lot of separation anxiety there and now still with the rescue group I volunteer with.
I would make sure you are crating the yorkie (which would seem cruel, but it actually makes them feel safe having a safe haven) This should prevent him from hurting himself further.
Did his owners leave any kinds of toys or stuff that smells like them for him to have in the crate with him?
I second the idea to keep some music running in the background
As a last resort, I would contact your local vet about some doggy prozac. But of course the owners would have to be ok with it! (you already know this, but just spelling it all out :) )
Caeser milan has some good tips on his website for anxiety issues with dogs
You may want to try a pheromone collar. My dog has severe separation anxiety, and since we've moved to this place almost 3 years ago, he's finally starting to adjust to our schedules. For a while I thought he stopped whining and crying until one day I left the apt and stood outside to send a text and I heard him flipping out.
Since then we have put on one of these collars and it has helped him calm down some. He hasn't even whinned or yapped in the car whenever we just grab the mail or stop at the ATM real quick.
When he's at home alone he is also crated with our other dog (in an XL sized crate) and it seems to help him as well as keep him safe (he's done so much damage to the apt).
@muckmoo1: That's part of the problem: the dog is TERRIBLE on the leash and at home won't play at all. The only thing he will do is scratch at our legs and bark at us until we pick him up. He goes to the bathroom immediately once we get outside and refuses to move, it is so frustrating.
Do you have any of the owner's clothes that you can put in a crate with him? That smell might help to keep the dog satisfied and feeling secure while you're gone.
Oh poor puppy, he is probably miserable. I have the same advice as Sara_tiara, gravol is also known as dramamine. Its used for motion sickness. Ive used it on rare occasions where I have had to crate my younger dog and transport him. He is SO much better now, that we dont have a use for it anymore. The reason we are suggesting it is because the best part of it is that it acts as a mild sedative. We plan on having some on hand incase fourth of July is too much for them. Its very cheap and easy to find. But obviously I would call his Vet and ask for permission first. If i had heard my dog was having a rough time while being away, I would much rather have gotten a phone call and tried to find a way to make them more comfortable. Goodluck.
@vcabbyw: I personally am not against using a mild sedative, but would definitely check with his owners first before I even talked to a vet about that option. I don't know if I'll be able to get in touch with them, they're on a totally different time zone but I will try..
He HAS to exercise before you leave the house. I know he sucks on the leash, but you REALLY need to make an effort. Dogs need lots of exercise in order to deal with stress (sounds like humans huh) He is a total basket case right now and the best thing for him is rigorous exercise. I know this bec I train dogs.
@SuperKate: Agreed, crate training is the way to go! I watched special by Cesar Milan and he talked about how dogs with too much space can build up nervous energy. It was amazing the transformation of the dogs featured once they were given their own space.
I would highly recommend looking at local garage sales or online (Craiglist?) as I always see cheap crates for sale, that is where we got ours. Our two Pomeranians are crated every day as they seem to get very anxious when I leave them in kitchen. They seem to be a lot happier in their "mini home" while I am at work.
Try and it and see what happens, you can't really lose at this point.
I agree with ladyjustice about the pheromone collar. We used one on our dog when I went back to work and she had to stay alone for long periods of time. Her anxiety wasn't as bad as this sounds, but it worked. They also sell a spray or a plug in type thing that emits the smell. It is meant to calm them and remind them of their mother's smell.
I also agree with finding something in the hamper or laundry that has the owners' scent. It may help. Otherwise, have you tried a big chew toy or rawhide? Something that will occupy the dog for awhile.
Is staying with the dog in your friends' house an option?
aw... poor puppy. He is probably far worse for you than for his owners because he probably thinks his owners abandoned him which is stressing him out more than usual. I've heard that activity toys can be good for SA (like where you put his morning meal inside of this bottle thing and he has to work at it to get it out)... it takes a lot longer to eat and that will keep him busy and not barking. Although honestly my dog had SA and he refused to eat when I wasn't home for the first year I had him. My primary concern would be him not harming himself. Is there anywhere he'd be safer (maybe a carpeted room with less space under the door)? Also, if you locked him in a smaller space (like your bedroom or a bathroom) that might minimize the noise. Honestly I don't think you're going to SOLVE this problem in the next 3 days so I'd just focus on trying to keep him safe and being quite apologetic to your neighbors.
I would buy a crate. Then ask your friends to reimburse you later. The dog needs to have a space that it feels comfortable and secure in and that is what the crate will do.
borrow or buy a crate. he sounds just like my dog...i used to come home to a bloody nose and a hoarse voice too often...and one day he barked so much that he broke vessels in his eyes and i had to take him to the vet. now we leave him in his crate during the day when we are at work and i play the radio quietly for him and give him a chew toy and a towel. he usually pees because when i leave he gets scared because he is alone, but cleaning up pee is better than a bloody nose or destroyed door. dogs like this will stop at nothing to escape, so if he is left out all day he will eventually find a way out, or at least destroy a door in the process. the crate is a safe space to dogs like this. get the anxiety collar and if you can find some 'rescue remedy', you can spray that in his mouth before you leave him and that is an herbal remedy that will help calm him. we used this on our dog for a while, but he eventually needed prozac, and that is what has done the trick. however, since you'll only have him a few more days, just crate him if you can, give him some comfort items, and get an anxiety collar or rescue remedy.
ps. what do your friends do with him when they are not home? i cant imagine they would deal with this for long before needing a solution.
Oh another thing that might work is a thunder shirt.
THey arent that expensive but I dont know if they are sold in stores.
Thank you everyone for your input, these are extremely helpful suggestions that I will absolutely use from here on out while sitting or when dh and i eventually get our own little pooch!
UPDATE: DH came home today a little early from work to check on the poor guy and there was blood all over the floor and again he had a really hoarse throat. I'm assuming he was scratching on the door although I can't see any scratch marks (he is tiny). That was the absolute last straw for me, so we got in contact with his vet and had his records faxed to a daycare. We are dropping him off tomorrow since neither of us can take off of work and Friday DH will be home. This is the best solution since I just can't bring myself to leave him alone for a second after what the poor thing has been through.
@moderndaisy: I'm glad you guys are such good friends to go through all the steps to make sure the dog is comfortable. Make sure you mention to the doggie day care that he has some separation anxiety. When I worked at the boarding facility we always appreciated that kind of heads up so we could take extra precautions to make sure the pup is happy.
our dog used to chew anything in site when we would leave her alone for the day. it took us establishing a routine with her for her to calm down. we gate the upstairs off, and close our basement door so she still has reign of our main living space. all shoes, or anything leather can NOT be left out or she will eat them. when it is time to leave, we giver her a small chip or some kind of bone for her to chew, turn on the radio, and leave without making a big deal of it. now, whenever we grab out shoes and head for the closet door, she trots up, sits for her treat, and takes it to her chew spot on the rug in the living room. she's so funny now, she won't even start chewing it until you leave the house.
i think that this really helps because it rewards her every time we leave so she equates us leaving the house with getting a reward. also, it is very important that you do the same thing everytime you leave the house to establish a routine, and that you do NOT coddle them before leaving. we don't even say goodbye to our dog.
hope this helps.
aw! I'm glad you found him a daycare. Your friends are lucky to have a couple that will watch their little guy and take his issues seriously!!
Want to watch my dog when we go on vacation? You would already have experience with doggie anxiety...haha! Kidding!! Dogs like this are exhausting...but worth it! :)
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Beekeeper
I am dog sitting right now for a dog with SEVERE separation anxiety and need help/advice!! The dog's original owners mistreated him, his current parents (my friends) are great, but a lot of the issues are still there. He totally loses it whenever I leave the house and it has gotten so bad this week that my neighbors who work from home actually called building management to complain about the noise.
Yesterday, I came home and discovered he had rubbed his nose raw/bleeding from sticking it under the door all day. And his voice was clearly hoarse from barking all day long. Even when I am home, he has to be held all the time or else he scratches up my legs and barks at me constantly.
I don't know what to do. We still have a few days left and I am so stressed out! We leave him with everything he needs: plenty of space and fresh air, food, water, his snuggle toy, etc. And he is used to being alone all day so I don't know what the problem is! I'm so busy at work so I can't go home during the day and since we dont' have his vet records I can't hire a dogwalker or drop him off at daycare.
Is there anything I can do? Or is this just a problem that gets fixed with time (which I don't have)? Any advice would be appreciated!
ETA: He is not crate trained, we do not own a crate either. We don't have anything that smells like his owners other than his cuddle toy.