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Housebound due to dog's separation/isolation anxiety
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Paddypaws - thanks, we managed to get there on a bus with Zara on a lead and George in a basket. Bus was empty on the way there but busy on the way back.
George had to stay as vet had no idea what that hard thing on his back is and needle did not draw any fluids just blood so they want to Xray and see what is going on there. He had no temperature , he eats drinks fine but had few scratches and a bite (?) just below his bum poor boy.
Will know around 2 pm what Xrays shown if anything and then will have to go and pick him up. As it may be rush hour will really have no choice but leave Zara alone as won't be able to take her on a bus.
So here we go0 -
paddypaws101 wrote: »Instead of Zylkene how about trying L-Tryptophan?
Both of these products are pretty cheap so wont break the bank to give them a try
Just paid George's excess and I am officially broke - till I get a job.0 -
Oh and just had a call that access to my flat is needed as some roof repairs will be going on and they need to put up scaffolding....That is gonna work just great
It does not rain....0 -
Has anyone got any experience with this one please?
http://www.animeddirect.co.uk/yucalm-dog-pack-of-120.html0 -
If you're out of work and struggling for money I wouldn't have thought expensive but most likely ineffective supplements are the best idea.
Your dog has deep seated, long standing behavioural and psychological issues. A herbal pill isn't going to do anything about that, its going to be all in the training and in your actions from now on.
Any spare cash you're thinking of spending on 'alternative remedies' would be better put in a pot in case it reaches enough to pay for a session with a behaviourist.0 -
Of course - but right now there is really zero spare cash anyway.
Picked up George from the vets with lots of shaven patches on him poor boy and I am now really broke - just glad the vet does direct claim for him but still the excess pretty much killed me.
Took Zara to the vets twice with me now. We went for a walk in the park where me met an idiot (maybe later about that) then on the bus with George to vet then back on the bus then again to pick George up.
I did not leave her alone today at all, I am too shattered.
Will finish reading the separation anxiety book tonight. And it does mention combining both meds and training. Will see.0 -
Would you qualify for PDSA or Blue Cross vet treatment?0
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gettingready wrote: »Has anyone got any experience with this one please?
Calmivet costs 13 euros for 10 online (can't post links)
Cookie's maximum dose is 7 tablets but I've never given her more than 2 and just one takes the edge off very well.0 -
I am really sorry you are going through this.
I have not had a dog but currently have a clingy cat as she has been ill recently and am starting a new job in a week. So have bought oodles of feliway. Is there something similar for dogs?
I am not clear from your posts if she does not like to be alone, or does not like to be without you.
Could you have a couple of friends sit her for a couple of hours to find this out.
I think what you would do to fix this would be different depending on whether it is being left alone or without you specifically0 -
Person_one wrote: »If you're out of work and struggling for money I wouldn't have thought expensive but most likely ineffective supplements are the best idea.
Your dog has deep seated, long standing behavioural and psychological issues. A herbal pill isn't going to do anything about that, its going to be all in the training and in your actions from now on.
Any spare cash you're thinking of spending on 'alternative remedies' would be better put in a pot in case it reaches enough to pay for a session with a behaviourist.
I have to say, I tried a lot of the remedies etc. out of desperation (money wasn't really an issue at the time like in this case, but obviously being in full time work and only able to work from home for a limited time meant I was trying desperately to find a quick fix!) and none were particularly effective - so I do agree that it may not be the best use of money to try absolutely everything.
However, some things did help - but unfortunately it's a case of different things working for different dogs. Some people raved about Adaptil curing their dog's seperation anxiety, for Kiki it actually made her worse. Some people swore by Zylkene, it didn't seem to have any effect at all on Kiki. Melatonin seemed to help a bit - and is relatively cheap, though you have to order online as you cannot buy in mainland England without a prescription.
I tried herbal diffusers, homeopathic remedies (not a believer - but desperate!), relaxing music, I even debated veterinary medication - but diagnosing her hypothyroidism gave us a big breakthrough with her behaviour and I was able to get a handle on it using Malena's methods after that, thankfully (I'm not opposed to medicating but it can have physical side effects)
I can't vouch for the CBD oil, but having seen what an impact Kiki's health issues have had on her behaviour (not just her thyroid issues but her joint ones too), I think a supplement that will help her physically, and perhaps ease her mental distress somewhat, is probably a good starting point out of all the remedies - especially if GR already has a bottle (providing it's suitable for Zara, that is)
The training part is really, really important though - and as impractical as it can be at times, avoiding leaving her before she is ready will be the best way to see faster progress.
If you really do have to leave her, try to find a way to differentiate between your normal leaving routine and your emergency leaving - on the odd occasions I had to leave her longer than our training had allowed, I would pop her over at my nan's house (she lives over the road) even if my nan wasn't home - she actually settled better (still barked a bit though) but also it didn't 'taint' our sessions by leaving her in her normal environment, going against our training.
Obviously this probably isn't an option for you, but you could try leaving her in a different room to normal, if that's possible. Another method I've heard of is to play the radio to differentiate - choose either to have the radio on during training sessions, or during emergency leaving. Keep it consistant, and there's the belief that the dog will recognise that radio means training (or the opposite) and you have some form of differentiation between the two.0
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