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Separation anxiety in older dog
karen310
Posts: 178 Forumite
Sorry this is a bit long.
I have a 15 year old dog ( she was a rescue and I have had her 12 years.
She has always been a nervous kind of dog but has lived my other dog aged 12 years since she came to me.
Several months ago I began staying at my partners house for occasional nights , been with him 6 years , but always had someone staying in my house so dogs were able to remain at home.
When this was no longer possible the dogs came with me , the 12 year old adapted really well , they had their own beds (from home) in the kitchen and he would just settle down and sleep. She however would begin to whine , which would then build up to a bark , and then continous scratching at the door.
On the following occasions when I stayed I began using Skullcap and Valerian , rescue remedy (still using that ) , a DAP diffuser , DAp spray on her bed and collar , but little change.
2 weeks ago I moved in properly and thought that things may settle down , of course being there fulltime means that sometimes they have to be left (shopping etc). Luckily my partner works some days from home so can be around , although the first few days when I went to work (and he was home) she barked and whined all day even though he was there. She also paces and pants continually when she gets in this state.
I have had her on Zylkene for the whole time I have been there , but this has made little difference.
I doesnt help that she is completely deaf , so leaving music etc on isnt an option , I also think there is some dementia now , so behavioural things have little effect.
Yesterday evening I took her to the vet , as by now my partner and myself are like zombies , he told us we had tried most things that he would have tried first , and has given us diazepam to try. He recommended a tablet approx 1 hour before bed , and also if we have to go out.
We tried for the first time last night , but it was no different (possibly a little worse).
To add to the worry we are due to go on holiday in just over 2 weeks time , they are booked into a dog boarders (as I felt they are too old for kennels) but I am really concerned because I thought she would have calmed down by now.
The vet did also say that he thought there was some senility issues too.
Can anyone suggest anything else we could try. I have tried sleeping on the settee in the middle of the night when I get up to her , but the pacing carries on (and not ideal when I have to work the next day)
My other dog has taken it all in his stride and I thought he would be a comforting influence on her , but he isnt.
They are also getting long walks morning and evening to try and de-stress and tire her out.
I dont know how long she can carry on like this , will she ever settle?
I have a 15 year old dog ( she was a rescue and I have had her 12 years.
She has always been a nervous kind of dog but has lived my other dog aged 12 years since she came to me.
Several months ago I began staying at my partners house for occasional nights , been with him 6 years , but always had someone staying in my house so dogs were able to remain at home.
When this was no longer possible the dogs came with me , the 12 year old adapted really well , they had their own beds (from home) in the kitchen and he would just settle down and sleep. She however would begin to whine , which would then build up to a bark , and then continous scratching at the door.
On the following occasions when I stayed I began using Skullcap and Valerian , rescue remedy (still using that ) , a DAP diffuser , DAp spray on her bed and collar , but little change.
2 weeks ago I moved in properly and thought that things may settle down , of course being there fulltime means that sometimes they have to be left (shopping etc). Luckily my partner works some days from home so can be around , although the first few days when I went to work (and he was home) she barked and whined all day even though he was there. She also paces and pants continually when she gets in this state.
I have had her on Zylkene for the whole time I have been there , but this has made little difference.
I doesnt help that she is completely deaf , so leaving music etc on isnt an option , I also think there is some dementia now , so behavioural things have little effect.
Yesterday evening I took her to the vet , as by now my partner and myself are like zombies , he told us we had tried most things that he would have tried first , and has given us diazepam to try. He recommended a tablet approx 1 hour before bed , and also if we have to go out.
We tried for the first time last night , but it was no different (possibly a little worse).
To add to the worry we are due to go on holiday in just over 2 weeks time , they are booked into a dog boarders (as I felt they are too old for kennels) but I am really concerned because I thought she would have calmed down by now.
The vet did also say that he thought there was some senility issues too.
Can anyone suggest anything else we could try. I have tried sleeping on the settee in the middle of the night when I get up to her , but the pacing carries on (and not ideal when I have to work the next day)
My other dog has taken it all in his stride and I thought he would be a comforting influence on her , but he isnt.
They are also getting long walks morning and evening to try and de-stress and tire her out.
I dont know how long she can carry on like this , will she ever settle?
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Comments
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What she is now doing is a habit, can you break the habit by not shutting her in anywhere? She may be worrying that something is going on in the rooms she can't check out. I had the same problem with my older lurcher, he was a nightmare shut in the kitchen, but with the run of the house he curled up on his bed and went to sleep - didn't even venture upstairs wehre we were.Some days you're the dog..... most days you're the tree!
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Norbertsmum wrote: »What she is now doing is a habit, can you break the habit by not shutting her in anywhere? She may be worrying that something is going on in the rooms she can't check out. I had the same problem with my older lurcher, he was a nightmare shut in the kitchen, but with the run of the house he curled up on his bed and went to sleep - didn't even venture upstairs wehre we were.
Yes , this could be worth a try , the problem is my partner (who hasnt had dogs since he was a boy ) seems to think that by giving her the run of the house she will wee in his lounge. She probably wouldnt , but I cant guarantee it
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When they lived in my old house they had 2 rooms at night so probably didnt feel as confined.0 -
there is a product out called out called Senilife whichmaybe of some benefit to u
http://www.senilife.com/0 -
Waterfalls wrote: »there is a product out called out called Senilife whichmaybe of some benefit to u
http://www.senilife.com/
Thanks , will check it out.0
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