Separation Anxiety

**lablover41504** · 05-29-2011, 12:22 AM

My one Lab, who is female, 1year old(almost 2years old) and black, has severe separation anxiety. She's crate trained but as soon as we leave the house she breaks out and destroys our house. She's used to being crated at night but she knows that we're still there at the house. We can't have her destroying our house so for awhile we were taking her in a crate in the car which worked until she broke out of the crate and made a mess in the car. Since then we've tried finding people to watch her for a couple of hours while we do something as a family. There have been times where I almost was unable to find someone to watch her. The one person I've had watch her a couple of times proved to be to lazy to be able to properly watch her. Just today we decided to try a boarding kennel she was at in the past, though last time she was there she went with my other dog who does not have separation anxiety. It didn't go to tell. She broke out of the kennel, got herself into a disgusting mess, cut her face, and it was just not a pretty site.
So I am here, wondering if there is any way to solve this anxiety through training. Kudos to those who read all of that. I don't like medicating her because it's not safe to continuously medicate them just for separation anxiety.
Is there any way to train out the separation anxiety?

**Garth** · 05-29-2011, 12:52 AM

Have you tried giving her a piece of your clothing with your scent on it? Maybe a bone, chew toy or a frozen stuffed kong to chew on as a comforter? What about leaving the TV or radio on in the room she is? Maybe if she has human voices around her, it might help?

**lablover41504** · 05-29-2011, 12:59 AM

Anywhere we take her we take toys. We left her once with one of her favorite bones and she completely ignored it. We've tried crating her and my other dog together since they get along incredibly well and figured the other dog would help comfort her, but it didn't work. The tv or radio might work if she decides to notice them more than our absence.

**Jan** · 05-29-2011, 07:16 AM

I truly sympathize, my Maggie had separation anxiety when we first rescued her. She chewed pillows, foot stools, books, chairs... only when we were away from the house. She is fine now - I think it was a combination of having Corby to settle her, getting a bone to work on when we leave, leaving her with a worn sweater of mine for comfort, and settling into our home that fixed it (although I still put my pillow and books away when I leave the house & she's in the bedroom). She hated the crate, which seemed to escalate her anxiety, so we didn't end up using that. Oh, and lots of exercise before we'd go out ensured that she was tired.

Your dog sounds much worse, and I don't have any advice - sounds like you have tried everying. I can't think of anything to suggest.

**deidra** · 05-29-2011, 09:18 AM

this may help. there dog is not as bad but the tips you can use for it. Dogs with Separation Anxiety, Ask Victoria Stilwell : Animal Planet

**Tanwen** · 05-29-2011, 05:25 PM

I have to admit I've come to like Victoria's 'gentler' ways - but some dogs will respond better to Caesar's approach and you have to find which suits your dog best.

**BigBrownDog** · 05-29-2011, 06:27 PM

Drugs are very helpful in the process of training out a sep anxiety issue. I would not rule them out. WIth as serious a situation as you describe, I would be seeking the advice of a certified behaviorist - not opinions on a message board.

**SharonaZamboni** · 05-29-2011, 06:46 PM

Sounds awful! How do they escape the crate?? I do think meds can calm them enough to begin the training process, and also would be open to the option if my dog had that problem. Consult your vet.