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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Nov 2014
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    I need some advice, I am really frustrated and do not know what to do: Separation Anxiety/PTSD?

    Good afternoon! Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this. I've posted on this board on and off for years and find myself in desperate need of help and advice. Thought this was a good place to find that.

    So Jack is 11, chocolate labrador, I've had him since he was 8 weeks, he is my best friend and I need to figure out a way to help him.

    Recently we moved overseas from the US to Australia. He was a bit shaken up, but seemed to adjust just fine. We were settled in a home and I was not working for the first 6 months. I found a job, we moved house and that's where the problems began.

    Jack has never been crated and has never been destructive, he's never had any issues being left alone until now.

    I was getting complaints from neighbors and so I downloaded an application that links my phone to my computer so I can watch him and even talk to him.

    He howls, paces, cries, whines barks and is extremely distressed, the first time I taped him he did it for an entire 8 hours I was at work. I had to turn it off.

    I have tried kongs, long walks before leaving, a thunder shirt, calming spray, freezing treats to keep him busy, shutting him up in smaller areas of the new house, NOTHING WORKS. It is an ongoing issue and I am at a loss of what to do. I've tried leaving for 10-15 minutes and talking to him through the computer, he is too smart and will not be tricked. He pays absolutely no attention to the treats I leave him. I think he may have suffered some type of PTSD from the trip? I don't know?

    Someone has recommend a crate, but we now live in Australia and that is not an option, it is TOO hot and we do not have air conditioning, the climate is different here and leaving him in there would not be a good idea, he would get heat stroke I'm afraid.

    So any ideas? anyone?

    I've been taking him to grandmas house during the day (where we were settled before moving here) he does a bit better there, but did chew up some railing when locked downstairs. When given access to the upstairs he seems to do much better. He is left alone there as well, but does settle and lay down, there is a puppy there too. But obviously that's not a long term solution as it's 30 minutes away and when he's there I am without him the entire week which I do not like and I don't know if it's good for him either.

    Anyway.. please I will try anything! I cannot afford doggie daycare 5 days a week though, that is not an option.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    May 2014
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    Ontario, Canada
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    Somebody to come in and take him out a couple of times a day? Doggy daycare just a few days a week might do it. My friend did DDC one day a week and a dog walker another one or two days a week depending on her schedule at work.

    Grandma's a couple of days? 30 minutes one way doesn't seem like such a long drive to make twice a day. Unless the drive stresses him too?

    And the obvious question, how much exercise does he get? What about classes to work his mind? Mind work tires them out just as much as it does us.

    I think he'd probably howl for hours in the crate anyway and I can see why you would worry about the heat, I would too.

    When was he vetted last? At only 8 he's a bit young for dementia but it could be starting. Something with his health could have tipped the scales just enough he is ok when you are there but bothered when you are not. They often don't show signs of pain or other symptoms when with their loving owner.

    Good luck, poor boy sounds like he's miserable.

  3. #3
    Puppy
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    Nov 2014
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    Brisbane, Australia
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    Hi snowshoe, I've been walking him in the mornings for about 45 minutes and he goes to the dog park after I get home, so he gets plenty of exercise for an 11 year old, much more than he did when we were in Michigan, particularly during the winter months.

    Grandmas, doggie care and dog walking are all options, and right now Grandmas house is the solution, but I'd like to know what I could do to train him to be ok alone at this house. It's about what's best for him, so if Grandmas is it, then I guess that's it, but he's been my buddy for 11 years and I don't like the idea of him being away from me so much or me having him only on weekends when I'm not working.

    He was at the vet recently for some skin issues, so I think his health is probably fine.

    He has always been a bit of a anxious dog, but this is nothing like I've seen before.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog
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    May 2014
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    baldwin, ny 11519
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    there are portable fans that you can set up to keep him cool. if need be, wall mounted out of his way. why would being in a crate, give him heat stroke? i don't mean to keep him outside, inside with a fan.

    and while you say he adjusted and seemed to do "just fine" -i don't get what part is fine. you are describing an extremely anxious, howling, pacing, nervous animal. i get that he's your boy and you don't want to leave him at grandma's house but is it too far away to pick him up at the end of the day? if not, if he's happier there, not nervous, panting, pacing and anxiety ridden-i don't see another option. and it doesn't seem like locking him away, downstairs is the thing to do with this boy, as he is destroying railings, bored and frightened. he needs to be around people, even if it cant be you and must be grandma.
    and really 30 minute drive is not the end of the world, if that's the length of time to go and get him and drop him off. people commute much longer than that for their jobs, and this boy needs to be comfortable again.

    did he exhibit this type of behavior before?

    his anxiety may be at a level where he needs meds. have you considered that? it doesn't have to be a permanent fix, and you can try some homeopathic stuff from either a health food store (stuff for dogs tho),of a homeopathic vet or chinese herbs.

  5. #5
    Senior Dog
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    May 2014
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    Ellicott City, MD
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    Check out the DAP pheromone products....I'd recommend the collar. They mimic the pheromones of a pregnant bitch and calm the dogs. Personal experience: they work well.

    Here's a page from Amazon: Amazon.com : Adaptil, D.A.P (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) Collar for Medium to Large Dogs - 27.6" : Pet Collars : Pet Supplies

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to SunDance For This Useful Post:

    Charlotte K. (11-21-2014)

 



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