Hi everyone (& sorry in advance for the lengthy post),

Although I adopted Sharky (previously WhaleShark) last June, this is my first post. He is a pretty good-natured boy – somewhat timid, but his personality keeps evolving, & we’re both learning about/from each other. I think Sharky has some separation anxiety. It hasn’t been so apparent until recently, when new neighbors moved in upstairs. (I live in a house that’s split into 3 apartments.) I’m not sure if he senses this change (the new neighbors have a 15-month old, so maybe Sharky is hearing/responding to the baby’s crying) or if this is an old behavior, & the previous upstairs neighbors just didn’t notice his howling & barking as much. The previous neighbors, who were students & sometimes home during the day as well as at night, did tell me on occasion that they had heard him whining, but it didn’t seem to go on for very long. The new neighbors say that they hear Sharky whine just a little in the mornings after I’ve left for work, & a little in the afternoons after I’ve been home for lunch or just before I get home in the evening, but the biggest problem is at night, if I go out for dinner or something, he howls & barks the entire time I’m gone.

I have several different suggestions from various resources swirling through my head:

1 – a DAP diffuser. Would I only plug it in when I’m gone in the evenings? Does it even work like that?

2 – Elavil, suggested by the vet. This was initially suggested when I took Sharky in a few weeks ago for urination problems. He had had 5 accidents (pee) in the crate in 4 days, & I was worried he had an infection. (He’s had accidents in the crate in the past, but never like that. More like an accident, then nothing for a few weeks, then another, etc. – very random/intermittent.) Anyway, no infection, & the urine concentration tests & bloodwork came back okay, so it looks to be behavioral. He’s also a psychogenic water consumer. The vet suggested that we might look into Elavil, & that it may also help with Sharky’s anxiety when I’m gone. I don’t know how this med is different from Clomicalm – I need to do some more reading… I know that Branigan says meds for behavioral problems should be a last resort, though.

3 – Benadryl, which has been suggested to me by a few people. Do others try this? I feel like this might be avoiding the root of the problem, but I don’t know.

4 – Try not crating him since he hasn’t exhibited destructive behavior. I’ve always left him in his crate when I’m gone, & he doesn’t seem anxious when he goes in – usually settles down pretty soon after I close the door. I tried not crating him this afternoon, after I talked with someone at the kennel. I came back & everything was pretty much in order, except for the blinds – I should have left them open for him to peer out at the activity on the street! But he was panting, so I don’t know if that just left him feeling more anxious.

5 – Consulting the Dog Whisperer. A couple of people I know have had success with a local “Dog Whisperer.” I’m not sure what this would entail, but it could be worth a shot.

I feel like there are so many variables, I’m not sure where to begin. I kind of want to get a webcam or camcorder so I can see what’s actually happening when I’m gone. Also – a few other things that might be worth mentioning – I do leave a light & the TV or radio on when I’m gone. I notice that Sharky follows me around from room to room when I’m at home, which I thought was just a cute greyhound characteristic, but now I’m thinking that it may be a stronger indication of SA & him feeling insecure. Some have suggested getting another dog, but right now that’s not a feasible option for me.

Anyone have any suggestions? Do I need to start over from the beginning with alone training?

Thanks to anyone who has advice – I really appreciate it.

-Heather

Small world huh? (Do you remember me?) Anyway, it doesn't sound like too bad of an SA problem, I would certainly avoid the benadryl/drug route until the last resort.

Here are a few suggestions:
-Do you give him a Kong? Whenever I leave Cash for extended periods, I give him a frozen Kong with peanut butter and treats inside. Only give it to him when I leave so he associates me leaving with good things. He sucks on that thing all day, and their usually a little left when I get home.

-Do you leave a radio/tv on? This is what they do in the kennel. The radio helps to drown out other noise like people upstairs, etc.

-You could also think about leaving him out of the crate although it doesn't sound like that contributes to his anxiety. Crates are usually a good idea if the SA is destructive and you need a safe place to keep him. Again, it doesn't sound like he is very destructive.

-Exercise: If you know you are going out that evening, try running/walking him before you go. At least initially while he is getting use to coming and going, being tired will reduce his anxiety. As he gets use to it, you probably won't have to exercise him every time you go out.

-Another thought...if you hear him whining before you come in the door, try to wait until he is quite, that way you won't be reinforcing his "if I whine, mom will come home" thought.

Let me know if you have any questions...Sharky doesn't sound like too bad a case of SA.

Keith

Hi Keith, thanks for the response. I do remember you – hope you’re doing well! I agree, Sharky isn’t so bad compared to other posts, or stories I’ve heard. It’s just a bit stressful, knowing that not only is Sharky feeling anxious, but that it’s also disruptive to my neighbors.

I have a Kong & have used it from time to time. I stopped using it for a while because some of his accidents seemed to coincide with me leaving the Kong with Sharky in his crate – I thought maybe he’d gotten overexcited about the Kong…so then I was worried about accidents. Maybe those were just coincidences – I’ll try reintroducing the Kong when I go out.

I do leave on the TV or radio, but now I think he’s begun to associate that with me leaving! So perhaps I need to switch things up a bit, or turn it on well in advance of me leaving. I’ve thought about moving his crate to another room, because currently it’s in the room that’s directly below the baby’s nursery – so if he’s becoming agitated by the baby crying, maybe that would help.

I do try to take him for a short walk before I head out, but I could be more diligent about that. More exercise is a very good idea. (I just wish it weren’t so cold out! For Sharky – although he has a coat - & for me!!!)

I almost NEVER catch him whining or barking when I come home – I guess that’s part of why I thought there was no problem for a while. Ha!

Thanks again for the suggestions. As I’ve been reading on here – some things just take time & patience…but if anyone else has suggestions, I’d love to hear those as well.

Yeah...one key to SA is eliminating the cues that you are leaving. Dogs pick up facts that you are picking up your keys, or putting your coat on. That is when the anxiety starts. You should only initiate cues that are good things with leaving...ie the Kong. So as you try to keep him calm when you leave, put your coat on, then take it off, or pick up your keys but don't leave. That way he doesn't know when you are leaving.

Where does Sharkey sleep at night? In his crate? If he sleeps in the crate and you move it out of the bedroom, then that might create problems. Most GHs want to sleep where their owner is.

Anyway, you might try googling Separation Anxiety...there are some good articles out there.

I've also had good luck with the Canine Lullabies CD. The video on their website of an animal shelter using it is amazing! The base line of the music is a human heartbeat. I leave it on continuous play at low volume in the room with the dog and then turn on the TV in the next room. This will also cover noises from the other apartments. It also works on people with insomnia. Don't play it in the car!

Sharky sounds like he just needs a little more reassurance and he'll be fine.
Keep us posted on how he's doing.
Jean

Hi, Heather,
I'd limit Sharky's water intake when you know you are going to be leaving him. Rietta will drink the entire pan of water if I let her then, of course, she will wet in her crate. Since I put quite a bit of water on their food, I only put water down when I'm going to be home and can let them out.
I think your idea of moving Sharky's crate to another room when you are gone might help you and your neighbors. At least you'll know Sharky isn't keeping their baby awake with his whining.
I would avoid medication...like Keith said...try to take him for a longer walk before leaving him. Then give him his frozen kong and put him in his crate. If he's tired...he will want to sleep.
Good luck.
Jean

Thanks for the advice thus far! Blanche's suggestion to try not crating him while I'm gone is working pretty well, it seems - thanks, Blanche! I have left Sharky uncrated the last 3 afternoons - each time expecting to come home to something bad, I have to admit - & each time I've been pleasantly surprised to find a happy dog & my place just like I left it. He hasn't been panting, either, like the first day when I tried this. Yay! The other great news is that I talked to my upstairs neighbors & they said he's been quieter this week - so perhaps all he needed was a little freedom to roam about, lay on his bed in the other room, & be able to look out the windows to see what's going on outside! I haven't gone out at night (when the neighbors say his howling & barking is the worst) this week, but I think I'll try leaving him uncrated the next time I do, & see how that goes...

I would be sure to use the Kong when you leave him in the evening so he has something to do.
They wait all day for us to get home and then it is sad when we take off again. I usually choose take out food and rent a movie because I hate to leave my guys (well, I am also lazy about leaving the house again after I get home too).