The Running Thread --2025

[pluto377]

@Professor_Cookie Hope you feel better soon!

 

[The Expert]

For those of you who use Untapped for fuel, they're having the only sale they have all year for the next two days: https://untapped.cc/shop/

I got a code to shop a day early and yes, Marilyn delivered my box as expected. Though I did not get the promised "free gift" and have no idea what it was -- I'll take her personal visit as my bonus.

 

[jmasgat]

Decided today to do a 1 mile test/fitness check. Two main reasons why: First, I trained for a 10k in prep for W&D, but did not race it, and wimped out on doing any other 10k race as “closure” for the training cycle. My brain says “racing is hard, you’re not as fast as you used to be and so any time will be a disappointment” These days, my brain is winning.

Second reason to do the 1 miler is because lately my Garmin has become delusional as to my VO2 max and my race prediction (even on a trend vs absolute basis), and so I needed to decide if I want to remove that data from my swipe screen.

Anyhow, I managed an 8:07, which was….I don’t know….okay? I can sort of accept what the various race calculators come up with, although the 5k time is ever-disappointing. But I have decided to delete the Garmin performance field. I don’t need the constant reminder.

 

[garneska]

Interrupting the running thread with a dog situation. Whisky has separation anxiety. DH and I left together this morning so that i would feel better about leaving her and she was having none of it. She snuck out 3 times while DH tried to get out of the condo. We then hung out in the hallway while she cried and scratched at the door. I thought like a baby she would settle down but no she did not. I ended up staying at home. I did leave again to take a call in the hallway. She cried at the door but did not scratch and then finally settled down. i think she went into the closet, but dang she won't let us leave. Tomorrow she is going to daycare but i guess we need to go to the vet. She also had issues when we went on vacation. Took her to the same place she has been for boarding and daycare, and she was not having anything to do with the kennel at night. Fine during the day at daycare but no locking up. @The Expert any advice?

 

[MissLiss279]

Interrupting the running thread with a dog situation. Whisky has separation anxiety. DH and I left together this morning so that i would feel better about leaving her and she was having none of it. She snuck out 3 times while DH tried to get out of the condo. We then hung out in the hallway while she cried and scratched at the door. I thought like a baby she would settle down but no she did not. I ended up staying at home. I did leave again to take a call in the hallway. She cried at the door but did not scratch and then finally settled down. i think she went into the closet, but dang she won't let us leave. Tomorrow she is going to daycare but i guess we need to go to the vet. She also had issues when we went on vacation. Took her to the same place she has been for boarding and daycare, and she was not having anything to do with the kennel at night. Fine during the day at daycare but no locking up. @The Expert any advice?

Not sure how you feel about medicating your dog…
My dog had three surgeries at the end of last year/beginning of this year (within a 2 month period), for eating things he shouldn’t resulting in blockage. He’s a larger dog, so previously things would come out one end or the other, but after the first surgery, things don’t move as freely internally as they used too…
Anyways, he now takes fluoxetine for anxiety. I’m not sure that he really was eating things based on anxiety, but I was willing to try anything to prevent him from eating things he shouldn’t (besides being way more vigilant on what toys he could have, what blankets were left out, or anything on counters).
My previous Doberman, she was somewhat anxious when I boarded her and didn’t eat a lot. The vet had me use a dosage of famotadine (Pepcid) for her, and I think that helped with her appetite.

 

[The Expert]

Interrupting the running thread with a dog situation. Whisky has separation anxiety. DH and I left together this morning so that i would feel better about leaving her and she was having none of it. She snuck out 3 times while DH tried to get out of the condo. We then hung out in the hallway while she cried and scratched at the door. I thought like a baby she would settle down but no she did not. I ended up staying at home. I did leave again to take a call in the hallway. She cried at the door but did not scratch and then finally settled down. i think she went into the closet, but dang she won't let us leave. Tomorrow she is going to daycare but i guess we need to go to the vet. She also had issues when we went on vacation. Took her to the same place she has been for boarding and daycare, and she was not having anything to do with the kennel at night. Fine during the day at daycare but no locking up. @The Expert any advice?

Awww, poor Whisky. Separation anxiety can be really tough to manage. Meds are certainly an option, but I'd try some behavioral tactics first (or too). A couple of things off the top of my head:

1. Don't make a big deal when you come and go. This can be hard, especially the coming home part. When you're ready to go, just pick up your things and leave. Don't say anything to Whisky or make it a big deal, just go and walk away. When you come home, come in, set your things down, wait a beat for her to calm down, then you can love on her all you want.

2. Give her something to do that she doesn't usually get. If crate training is no-go, try a frozen Kong (it takes longer) or a treat puzzle that will occupy her. Give it to her right before you leave, and then go without making a fuss. If you can wait until she's engaged with it, even better.

There are lots of other suggestions here: https://bestfriends.org/pet-care-resources/separation-anxiety-dogs-causes-signs-and-solutions

Good luck, but know that it IS possible! You're a great dog mom.

 

[nancipants]

1. Don't make a big deal when you come and go. This can be hard, especially the coming home part. When you're ready to go, just pick up your things and leave. Don't say anything to Whisky or make it a big deal, just go and walk away. When you come home, come in, set your things down, wait a beat for her to calm down, then you can love on her all you want.

This is the same advice they gave me when my son started daycare.

 

[garneska]

@nancipants we call her a baby because she cries. When we were out in the hall she cried, she does not bark. My neighbor even came out while i was in the hall and said she NEVER hears Whisky. She has always been anxious but normally calms down and just hides in the closet. This was the first time she absolutely threw a fit. So i did the rational thing and stayed home

@MissLiss279 i am not opposed to medication. We had tried to stay away from Prozac at first, but we have gabapentin for thunderstorms. it helps some but thinking it might be time for Prozac. I also want to do some behavior training. I started today with picking up my keys but not actually leaving so she can stop associating it with me leaving.

@The Expert going to look at your website. i figured you would have something to direct me to. It is so hard though. I feel bad that she is so anxious.