Need help with my dog

[SetzKitten]

posted this yesterday, but i don't think it took:

Background: I got this dog 3 years ago from a shelter. He previously lived with a woman and her boyfriend. When the boyfriend moved out, the woman lost it. She locked the dog in a bathroom for 3-4 weeks without food and water and abandoned the apartment. When animal control finally found the dog, he was in really bad shape, parasites, heartworms, and emaciated beyond belief.

He made a wonderful recovery and has been a fantastic dog with very little behavior problems.

Well, a few months ago DH moved out and things are falling apart. DH worked at home, so the dog was never alone for long. Now he spends the mornings and afternoons alone (with my other dog). I come home at lunch and let him out and stay with him until I have to go back to work.

He is tearing up my house, urinating on the furniture, getting in the trash, ripping up kleenex and toilet paper like a madman, and generally being very disobedient. This happens whether I'm home or not. He's obviously very frustrated and agitated. I've gone back to the basics and set up his crate, got him lots of chew toys and use the commands I used in the beginning (like when I leave the house I say the same words every time so he knows I'll be back).

I feel absolutely horrible that he's struggling. I think he feels he'll be abandoned again. He's such a beautiful and loving creature who has made so much progress, I just want him to be ok again. What else can I do to make him feel secure again?

 

[Mermaid02]

posted this yesterday, but i don't think it took:

Background: I got this dog 3 years ago from a shelter. He previously lived with a woman and her boyfriend. When the boyfriend moved out, the woman lost it. She locked the dog in a bathroom for 3-4 weeks without food and water and abandoned the apartment. When animal control finally found the dog, he was in really bad shape, parasites, heartworms, and emaciated beyond belief.

He made a wonderful recovery and has been a fantastic dog with very little behavior problems.

Well, a few months ago DH moved out and things are falling apart. DH worked at home, so the dog was never alone for long. Now he spends the mornings and afternoons alone (with my other dog). I come home at lunch and let him out and stay with him until I have to go back to work.

He is tearing up my house, urinating on the furniture, getting in the trash, ripping up kleenex and toilet paper like a madman, and generally being very disobedient. This happens whether I'm home or not. He's obviously very frustrated and agitated. I've gone back to the basics and set up his crate, got him lots of chew toys and use the commands I used in the beginning (like when I leave the house I say the same words every time so he knows I'll be back).

I feel absolutely horrible that he's struggling. I think he feels he'll be abandoned again. He's such a beautiful and loving creature who has made so much progress, I just want him to be ok again. What else can I do to make him feel secure again?

Sounds like the dog might miss your husband. Would it be possible for him to go live with him?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

He is tearing up my house, urinating on the furniture, getting in the trash, ripping up kleenex and toilet paper like a madman, and generally being very disobedient. This happens whether I'm home or not. He's obviously very frustrated and agitated. I've gone back to the basics and set up his crate, got him lots of chew toys and use the commands I used in the beginning (like when I leave the house I say the same words every time so he knows I'll be back).

This is separation anxiety. If he was a person he'd be pacing and overeating or chain smoking.

These dogs thrive on routine and his has been disrupted. Additionally, his reaction may be more pronounced because of his past.

Can you gate him in the kitchen?

Is Mermaid's suggestion feasible?

Coming and going should be non-emotional as well while he learns the new routine, which he needs time to do.

 

[bitohoney]

I started having problems with my cats when I brought a kitten into my home in August. I have found that behavioral aids from onlynaturalpet.com have helped. Might want to take a look. It's worth a try.

 

[Jennasis]

Separation anxiety for sure. Talk to your vet about medication options.

 

[walden]

Poor dog and poor you.

Yes, classic separation anxiety. If he can't go and live with your husband you need to desensitize him to being alone. It can be done but it is hard work. This is a straightforward description of options for treatment and a process for dealing with SA. http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002/sa.htm

Full disclosure: that article was written by a friend of mine, and I can attest to the fact that Willow the greyhound made a full recovery from SA. She is doing well these days as a grand old lady of 16.

 

[HappyGilmore]

Get the dog a thundershirt. My sisters dog has really bad sepearation anxiety and hates thunder. She got one of these and it helps. She also leaves the televison on for her dog while she is gone.
www.thundershirt.com

 

[Hannathy]

leave the TV on and possibly a radio in another part of the house. It is used to noise and a person being there. If it's crate is where it can hear the answering machine you could try calling a couple times and just saying good doggy, take a nap sweetie, I'll be home soon.

Another thing just like a puppy a tired dog is a good dog. Wear it out! take it on some really long walks, take it to the dog park and let it run! But however get it a lot of exercise which helps get the frustration out and tuckers it out so it wants to sleep while you are gone.

 

[Disney Doll]

All good suggestions above. Please don't underestimate this dog's need for some anti-anxiety medication to take the edge off his anxiety while he adjusts to his new routine. Do you have a dog walker in your area that could stop by a couple of times per day while you are at work to walk him, play with him, schmooze hima little.

Please be patient with this poor baby...he's been through so much....

 

[Pea-n-Me]

When the boyfriend moved out, the woman lost it. She locked the dog in a bathroom for 3-4 weeks without food and water and abandoned the apartment. When animal control finally found the dog, he was in really bad shape, parasites, heartworms, and emaciated beyond belief.

Have been thinking about this this morning. I can only imagine how this must have felt to the dog.

He made a wonderful recovery and has been a fantastic dog with very little behavior problems.

He's such a beautiful and loving creature who has made so much progress

Such a great testament to this dog's spirit.

He is tearing up my house, urinating on the furniture, getting in the trash, ripping up kleenex and toilet paper like a madman, and generally being very disobedient. This happens whether I'm home or not.

Make it so he can't get at these things, just as you would a puppy. You're going to have to establish new routines with him and it will take some time. Prevention instead of punishment will be your friend here.

I also agree with Hannathy that it will be helpful to have him tuckered out. Maybe a nice, long walk and play session can be his daily reward when you get home? Make it regular and he'll come to look forward to it and rely on it. Dogs thrive on routine.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Hugs to the poor doggy.

I was wondering if your hubby would be up to visiting the dog as well. Maybe he could watch him while your working, that way the dog could still spend time with both of you. I think all of the suggestions given have been very good ones. It might help to call the shelter and let them know what is going on and to see what ideas they might have especially since they got him through the anxiety the first time.

 

[SetzKitten]

Thanks so much for all of the great suggestions. I feel much better knowing there are still things I can try to help him.

There is no way DH will take the dog. My love of animals was a huge bone of contention with us. That being said, he was and continues to be very good to them. He visits them a few times a week. I'm not sure if it is helping the situation or not.

I definitely need to exercise him more. It has been so cold out and I've been working extra hours, so our regular routine has been out of whack lately.

I'll be taking him to the vet in a week or so for heartworm pills, so I'll ask about anxiety meds.

For now, I'm going to read all of the links you fine people posted and choose a course of action.

Right now he's curled up on my bed sleeping like a very good boy

 

[crjack]

OP, do you have any older children in your area that may be available for hire to do dog walks or playtime? Even a couple times a week may help to use up some energy and relieve some anxiety.

The dog walkers in my neighborhood are pretty reasonable, even for just once a week. I'm guessing a young teen may be even cheaper. I know my daugher loves playing with neighborhood dogs, inside or out. She is too young to officially volunteer at our shelter so this is a nice option for her.

Best of luck and good for you for taking in a shelter dog and looking for solutions.

 

[EllenFrasier]

I like the idea of leaving a TV on - something with people's voices like FoodTV or the news.
You should also talk to your vet about a mild anxiety medication. It might only have to be given for a short term until he gets used to your husband not being there.
And I am sorry about your marriage.

 

[mrspaha]

Hugs to the poor doggy AND YOU! Sounds like many of the others gave great advice. I hope it works out for you.

 

[walden]

Thanks so much for all of the great suggestions. I feel much better knowing there are still things I can try to help him.

There is no way DH will take the dog. My love of animals was a huge bone of contention with us. That being said, he was and continues to be very good to them. He visits them a few times a week. I'm not sure if it is helping the situation or not.

I definitely need to exercise him more. It has been so cold out and I've been working extra hours, so our regular routine has been out of whack lately.

I'll be taking him to the vet in a week or so for heartworm pills, so I'll ask about anxiety meds.

For now, I'm going to read all of the links you fine people posted and choose a course of action.

Right now he's curled up on my bed sleeping like a very good boy

Aww. Thanks for caring for this dog so well. You are a very lovely person. Your (almost ex?) DH does seem to be stepping up a bit. Quite aside from the dog issue, you need some major hugs for the breakup of a relationship.

But, in the short term, I would make it a priority to consult with a vet for some tranquilizers for the dog. Not necessarily a bad thing in the short-term. You have had some great recommendations here. I'm also going to re-direct you to the article in my previous post. My friend went through h*ll with "Willow the greyhound." Willow's destructiveness - and self destructiveness - were actually even beyond what you are describing. But my friend and Willow came out fine. With drugs, dedication and a lot of very hard work. It is hard.

Wishing you the very best.

ETA. This article: http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2002/sa.htm

 

[RebeccaB]

Our dog has separation anxiety, plus he tends to think he's the boss once in awhile. We got him when he was 8weeks old, and my daughter was 2. I stayed home til she went to kindergarten. Dog lost his everlovin mind when the girl went to school and I went to work. He did all you said, chewed everything in sight, pooped everywhere, tore up the trash....it was all because his normal routine was messed with. I feel like the freaken Dog Whisperer after 8 yrs of dealing with dominant separation anxiety doberman boy.
My biggest piece of advice is don't get mad at him, don't yell, etc...it took all my patience to deal with him and get him readjusted to being alone during the day. No matter what people say, dogs are just like kids, they need constant work, patience....
The advice you got to exercise him is spot on, a tired doggy is a well behaved doggy

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Do you have a doggy day care near by? This might help him a lot.

 

[TinkPinkPoem]

Poor doggy! Please post an update after the vet visit, OP. Good luck!