Anxiety help

[wizard]

I know it's only been a week since Luny came to live with me and we are still working through a few things while he settles in.

He is still really anxious when I leave, and goes and hides in the bedroom when he knows I'm getting ready to go to work. I know he is fine with the crate itself because he readily goes in if he sees his dinner coming. It's just the part about being alone that causes him anxiety. I've left a talk-radio station on, and a treat-filled kong and a few stuffed toys in the crate, and a pile of newspapers in there as well (he's gone through all my old towels and rugs tearing them apart). I'm working on "disappearing" for short periods of time into the basement or garage and this morning even left him loose in the house while I went and shoveled snow. I feel guilty about crating him all day while I'm at work but I just don't trust him yet. I know this is also just going to take time to work itself out (after all I've only had him a week).

However, I was wondering if anyone has tried those doggies calming-sprays or room scents?

[dmcarty]

You might have better luck with some 'rescue remedy' its drops - work pretty ok. I've tried Mello Mutt chew sticks but rescue remedy seems to work better.

[wizard]

I never heard of rescue remedy. I'll look for it.
At least he doesn't howl as much as he once did.

[sharronhurlbut]

Time will probably make it better.

[BDawg]

I tried Rescue Remedy and it didn't do anything at all.
I have a post, "Miles: A Rescue" that shows what we went through to get Miles crate trained.

[wizard]

It's not the crate that is the problem - Luny will run into his crate if he sees his dinner being prepared. It's being left alone. I was outside yesterday clearing snow for about 20 minutes acn could hear him howling like a banshee.
I know this will take time (I got spoiled by EL D who worked things out within a week) and I'm working on disappearing for short periods to get Luny used to it. I was just looking for some things to help with the stress.

[nomrbddgs]

Just a question, but have you tried covering the crate while you're home? If he seems okay with that, I would try leaving with the crate covered for short periods. Maybe stepping outside for a few minutes to hear how he reacts? It could be as simple as 'if he can't see you, he'll be okay'.

[wizard]

Yes I did cover it partly - but after tearing up all the rugs I had given him, he finally pulled the cover off and tore that up.
I do give him toys and a treat-stuffed kong and by the time I come home I can tell he's just been sleeping. It's the initial stress on him that tears at my heart (maybe I'm just too much of a softie and just have to wait this out).

[lvoss]

You may want to try a DAP diffuser or the DAP spray.

[JazzysMom]

@dmcarty:

You might have better luck with some 'rescue remedy' its drops - work pretty ok. I've tried Mello Mutt chew sticks but rescue remedy seems to work better.

I used Rescue Remedy with slight success with Keoki, until I realized the alcohol content. I don't recommend it. Alcohol is really hard for the dog's body to process.

[JazzysMom]

@wizard:

It's not the crate that is the problem - Luny will run into his crate if he sees his dinner being prepared. It's being left alone. I was outside yesterday clearing snow for about 20 minutes acn could hear him howling like a banshee.
I know this will take time (I got spoiled by EL D who worked things out within a week) and I'm working on disappearing for short periods to get Luny used to it. I was just looking for some things to help with the stress.

Remind me what type of crate you have.

Keoki was a NIGHTMARE… a freaking NIGHTMARE... for the first year+ that we had him.

I won't go into details because they are all outlines somewhere here. But I will say, we started with a plastic crate and then an ex-pen, neither of which worked with him.
Eventually I got a large wire crate {which someone here had suggested long before}, and -- I don't know why it worked when the ex-pen did not -- but we have all been sleeping peacefully ever August 13, 2008 the first night we had that wire crate. Both Basenjis sleep in it, both have cushy beds that are no longer destroyed.

I cannot tell you why, but that wire crate worked magic.

[wizard]

Yes it is a heavy gauge wire crate.
I just found out today that part of the problem is that he has always had someone with him almost his entire life. His pervious life partners were mostly retired and he also had a basenji mate.
I'll just have to find him a new mate

[tanza]

When Sal got him back, didn't his B-Mate come with him? And I agree, if you could get him a "friend" that might be the best…. and hey... everyone needs at least two Basenjis...gggg

[snorky998]

@tanza:

When Sal got him back, didn't his B-Mate come with him? And I agree, if you could get him a "friend" that might be the best…. and hey... everyone needs at least two Basenjis...gggg

wizard, I agree with tanza…..gggg....a B. friend might solve your problems:p ....or maybe you have some college age kids hanging around willing to walk a beast a couple of times a day??

[JazzysMom]

@wizard:

Yes it is a heavy gauge wire crate.
I just found out today that part of the problem is that he has always had someone with him almost his entire life. His pervious life partners were mostly retired and he also had a basenji mate.
I'll just have to find him a new mate

Awww shucks. You mean you'll have to get another Basenji? Well, we do what we must to keep our dogs healthy and happy. Ahh, the sacrifices we must make…..

[wizard]

Yes, I've already mentioned that (about another beastie) to Sally – "double the pleasure, double the fun" she said
And no the playmate didn't come with Tommy (don't know the story there).

[dmcarty]

Hey maybe we're using rescue remedy wrong - maybe WE are supposed to drink it -

[wizard]

No I have my own "rescue remedy" if you know what I mean

[Kananga]

@wizard:

Yes it is a heavy gauge wire crate.
I just found out today that part of the problem is that he has always had someone with him almost his entire life. His pervious life partners were mostly retired and he also had a basenji mate.
I'll just have to find him a new mate

That makes sense. I think that was partially the issue with my B. Although he was a good boy long enough for me to trust him in my home now. The only thing I found to work was to give him something that he could shred or work on for the time he was in there.

Sounds like the best solution for you is another B, considering his prior situation.

Hopefully it all works out.

[wizard]

Well I thought we were on the road to "saneness". After two long days free in the house, Luny would only just pee on the newspapers that I left in the kitchen and then tear them to pieces. Yesterday, however, I came home to more serious mess.

He had stood on his hind legs to reach what was left of the blinds on the patio door and shredded what he could get his mouth on then chewed the door handle and made deep gouges in the door! Except for a rag in the bathroom that was also torn up, it was still confined to the kitchen area (makes sense since that is where the doors to outside are). I was pretty angry (and then felt guilty all night for yelling at him) and stressed all night thinking about what I could do and what might happen with the holidays coming.

I don't know what set him off - something he saw in the yard, or whether he saw me drive off, or that there was a delivery man leaving a box. He must have calmed down at some point because my bed was slept in again.

He's loose again today - I didn't make any big deal about leaving, just left. I really hope he's better today.