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Anxiety from loneliness…

Behavioral Issues
  • JennnALJ

    Hello to all of you wonderful Basenji owners out there!

    Okay, it is day 5 of Fred's passing, and Ginger seemed to be taking the past week with just a little bit of moping, and sleeping alot, which she usually did anyway. I now know for sure she is deaf, as she took many cues from him and his movement before that she doesn't respond to now.

    I usually only go away to work 4 hours at a time, and she has never hesitated to get in her crate with treat incentives. I never make a big deal about going in or coming home, and I never would rush or create an anxious time of going in, and it was never a problem with the 2 of them, and they would settle down and go to sleep. I leave the hepa filter on for some noise, and all was well.

    But now, she's realizing that she is in there alone. And within minutes the crying starts. Oh, a heartwrenching, horrid sound it is, too. And when I get home 4 hours later, it is still going on… along with some destruction. I had a cover of a big towel over the wire crate that hasn't been touched in 10 months (and yes, I know that we could never have towels inside for them to shred), and the ends were somehow pulled inbetween the wires and shredded... she didn't eat them, just pulled them, because I watched her do it - she didn't hear me come in.

    So I put fleece over the top next time, and forgot a tshirt on top of that, and somehow, the tshirt got pulled partially between the wires and shredded (a Boycott Petland shirt!). I got her outside where she began to stress-poop everywhere.

    The next time, nothing was around but one piece of fleece inside, and it wasn't touched, but she stress-pooped inside the crate, which they have never done in the 10 months I had them.

    In between those times, I tried the sedative the vet gave me "just in case" - Acepromazine - and the first time I gave her half at 3pm, and she was knocked out until the next morning, basically - she was so woozy she could barely walk outside to pee.
    The next time I gave her 1/4th, and it still seemed to knock her out. (She is also on Tramadol and Benedryl 2 times a day).

    I took her to my boyfriend's last night (where she has been many many times before, and I have left them with him with minor fuss), and he said she howled the entire time, even though he and his daughter were there.

    SO, what do I do next, without drugging her so heavily?
    Will this pass, because it just seems to be getting worse, not better?

    http://dancingjenn.blogspot.com/

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  • jonny b.J

    so sorry for your loss. we had to try several things to calm anxiety in our dog. they were both rescue dogs and came with some issues, mostly just moving to different places and getting use to new homes. we got this from our vet and were directed to give three a day but one was plenty. we did try two a day and it was too much. but it really helped.
    the script name is clomipramine 25 mg. i know it is really hard to watch something you love be so sad and unhappy. hang in there.

    jonny b. and HAnsel, he's so hot right now

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  • BasenjimammaB

    Bless her heart. I don't have any great tips, except maybe DAP, although it might not be the strong stuff needed. Otis is sending his warm hugs to her..

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • Rita JeanR

    Lots of love and time maybe a toy or something they shared together. Sounds to me like she is afraid of losing you. Best of luck.

    Rita Jean

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  • wizardW

    Since she is deaf (has your vet confirmed that BTW) the loss of her friend is probably even more severe than if she weren't. Any chance you can get her another buddy?

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  • thunderbird8588T

    Awwww poor Ginger i feel so sad for her and you having to cope.
    All i can suggest is lots and lots of TLC and perhaps another companion if you can cope and the time is right.
    Do you have to have a cover on top of the crate? If not it is one less thing for her to destroy.

    Shelley

    Basenji Malaika

    Basenji Malaika
    Basenji Kwame

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    He should adjust in time to losing his companion. However long that takes is questionable though and he will continue to be angry and feel neglected and reflect that anger with destruction just out of loneliness. It may improve with time and may not. You have to ask yourself is this fair for your dog? I would spend nearly all my time with him when I was home taking walks, etc. and if you can't do more than 2 hrs. it may be best to find a better home for him where he has a better environment. If his new home is a better place where there is a yard to run, and owners that can spend more time with him he will gradually accept the new home and owners. I know that is hard but may be the best. When your living situation improves you may think about owning another dog. Other than that, working 2 jobs leaves the dog alone too much to be fair so you need to get someone…the same person all the time... over to your apartment to spend time with him if you don't want to give him up. He can bond to that person and that will help the loneliness somewhat. If you decided to give him up, the new owners could come over frequently for walks and visits before you gave the dog to them so that the dog would consider them friends before adoption, that would help the dog transition. I would not give that dog to an inexperienced owner though. That could end in disaster. It will do the same things with the new owner although it should get over the transition quicker because it will be in a better environment. Also, was your husband the dog's leader? You now have to be a positive leader for him because it sounds like he lacks leadership.
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    Completely agree with you thunderbird! I'm glad to here that Malaika is doing well–there is hope!! :) . Control Unleashed has a lot of strategies (e.g. the Look At That game & hand targets) that I hope will make an impact. Keep us updated on your efforts!
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