Question:
I adopted Winnie, a 28-pound mixed-breed dog, from a local shelter. She was there for six months and had been adopted previously, but was returned because she had separation anxiety and ruined the woman's furniture, pillows, etc.Because I am retired, I can take Winnie with me when I go shopping and so on, as she is good in the car. But now that it's too hot I must leave her at home in a crate. Originally it was a metal crate, but she managed to chew a hole through the bars to get out. Now I use an airline crate, and whether I'm gone one hour or four the results are the same -- she's all wet from drooling, and the bottom of the crate is all wet as well.She's been on Clomicalm since November, but it's not helping. I can't return her to the shelter, as no one would want her, and I don't want to put her down.I hope you can help me with this problem, as she is a very sweet dog and was housebroken when I got her. She's even finally able to tolerate my five cats, who love dogs.
C.E.J., Englishtown, NJ May 29, 2005
Answer:
Separation anxiety is a very common and difficult disorder to overcome. Time and patience on your part may be rewarded.First, get four or five hollow rubber Kongs from a pet store, or 3- to 4-inch pieces of beef marrow (soup) bones and stuff them with cream cheese, peanut butter or whatever tasty, moist treat your dog likes. Set them out for her, leave the house, return after five or 10 minutes and put the treat toys in a bag in the fridge. Repeat this daily, extending your time away, but do not make a fuss over her when you return. She needs to associate pleasure and reward (i.e., the toy treats) with you leaving the house.Second, at other times, train her to sit and stay, establishing yourself as the controller/pack leader -- this will help her to develop self-control. Keep the crate open at all times, with a pillow or blanket, so it can be her "den" if she so chooses.
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