Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Behavioral Issues
  3. Separation Anxiety Advice

Separation Anxiety Advice

Behavioral Issues
  • LovingLolaL

    Hi, all. This is probably going to be along post, but I'm really desperate for some helpful advice. I've posted before, asking for advice about leaving our Lola home alone, but it's since become obvious to be that she has a serious case of separation anxiety.

    When we leave Lola home alone, closed in a large room, for almost any amount of time, she poops on the carpet. We used to crate her, but she peed and whined so loudly that it bothered out neighbors. She's not destructive, except for a couple times when she clawed at the door or window.

    Per the advice of many, we make our coming and going low key, leave her with treats and toys and try to leave for small amounts of time throughout the day. So far, we don't see any improvment. What may be hurting the process is that invariably, we wind up having to leave her alone for 2-3 hours once or twice a week. In other words, we havn't been able to "ease" her into being left alone.

    Since we adopted her (the last 4 months), my husband has been able to stay home while I'm at work. This week he starts a full time job and I don't know what to do. I work next door to our home, but coming home ever 2-3 hours wouldn't solve this problem. I would still be cleaning up poo. My parents love her and can doggysit her often, but not everyday. Afterall, we adopted her, not them!

    We're not rich, but we're willing to do whatever will work. The question remains… what will work? Does she need medication? A playmate? Private training? Therapy? Day care?

    Has anyone had experience with this? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? What's the best method?

    0
  • WBLW

    There is a light at the end, but with some dogs it can be farther away. I had a boxer a few yrs ago that had it really bad, and after lots of crate training and patients she was able to stay in her crate. She would make such horrible noises she sounded like a fog horn. And she'd pee in her crate or poop in and then step all in.

    IMO, I don't thing Lola needs medication.

    It can be quite frustrating, but biggest thing is lots of patients to train her that you will be back and it is okay to hang out by herself.

    Also, since she is not destructive but is pooping when you leave, make sure she gets a good walk or play session where you know she has gone potty. I'd take out the treats, that gives something to put in that must come out. You can give simple treats or things that need worked on like a kong stuffed with soemthing tastey and frozen so it'll take work for her to eat it all.

    Here are some links with articles on seperation anxiety.
    http://www.wagntrain.com/SeparationAnx.htm
    http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/anxiety.html
    http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/separation_anxiety.html

    0

Suggested Topics

  • rhughes89R

    Crate Training Woes. Is it Separation Anxiety or Claustrophobia? Both?

    Behavioral Issues
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    I have never placed a puppy in an apartment. Not particularly by design but it just panned out that way. Even the relatively high percentage I have exported have gone to houses with gardens of some kind and access to lots of exercise. Many of these myths have only really gotten a toe hold since FaceBook and social media generally. I had one potential owner visit a few times before deciding, yes, her allergies did not extend to Basenjis. She had three pups from me over a span of about 15 years before being an established and successful breeder herself. @rhughes89 Well done for wanting to persevere. I am sure that, with the will and the right mind-set, you will prevail !
  • Y

    Anti-anxiety medication for separation anxiety. 14 month male B.

    Behavioral Issues
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    2k Views
    ZandeZ
    @tanza it can work if you can set up your home to work with the pup... But if you can't ? (or find it easier not to)
  • BethB

    Separation Anxiety

    Behavioral Issues
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    elbrantE
    @beth Try behavior training before you add another dog. This is going to take a bit of repitition over the better half of a morning, and a few days of follow up training -- but it works. Do whatever preperation you normally do to leave. Tell your dog that you will be "right back" (insert whatever command word/phrase you want to use). Then exit and lock your door. Walk around the corner of the building, then return. Praise your dog as you greet them. Wash, rinse, repeat, gradually increasing the amount of time you are gone. Start at a few moments, then trips to the store, etc. This reassures them that you will come back,. but you are actually teaching your pup the routine ques. It alerts the dog that you are preparing to leave (without them). Slightly different for when they get to go with you. Your dog will learn the difference ("Hey, if she picks up the leash, I get to go, too!"). I (personally) use bribes as a tell-tale. I give my pup a kong filled treat, or a frozen neck bone (her favorite) to chew on if she's staying at home. If I call her and pick up the leash, she's coming with. But she's ok, even on the rare occasion that I'm gone for 6 hours!
  • J

    Anxiety & Behavior

    Behavioral Issues
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Acepromazine is a drug I will never ever give to a dog again. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=570 I agree with Shirley, it seems very fearful. Sadly, that's often a trait you can work to help control, but it is something your dog simply may be born with. You can work on desensitizing to vet... by doing by, let them toss a treat, go home. Do it for quite a while. Ditto on muzzle.. do it at home for a few mins, take off and treat. Work on making both as unstressful as possible. But better to muzzle than have a bite incident.
  • Buddys PalB

    Is it Separation Anxiety?

    Behavioral Issues
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    4k Views
    Shaye's MomS
    With a basenji it doesn't necessarily need to be separation anxiety. They do this stuff out of boredom too. Taking him for a long walk or doing something else to tire him out could help a lot…....a tired basenji is a good basenji. On saying that, our little one didn't get better about all this chewing, tearing, etc. until we got her a companion when she was 9 months old. Worked like a charm to have another dog in the house.
  • M

    Thundershirt for anxiety

    Behavioral Issues
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    7k Views
    K
    When Lela was a pup, at the end of the day she could work herself into a real frenzy, running around the house, not able to stop. A real B500 and then some. Nothing worked to stop or quiet her. Then, one time, I intuitively picked her up, and squeezed her tight in my arms against my body: she instantly went limp, offer a few movements with her paws and jaws and then would collaps into a fine, long coma. I have done it many times, and it worked like a charm. So, pressure seems to help - that's what a thunder shirt would do, I guess.