Canine Separation Anxiety?

luvmykids wrote: I don't know what is going on with Bogie, if I leave a window cracked open for the A/C and leave the house, he tears the screen off and gets the window open and gets in.

But I have a tiny window in the kitchen between the counter and cabinets and when I got home this evening I noticed it was all the way open and everything on the counter was a mess and blood everywhere.

Couldn't figure it out until I saw Bogie, he gashed his head, the back of both front legs are raw, the pads on his rear feet are completely torn off and raw, and all his nails are bloody stumps. I'm guessing he kept jumping and getting his head in and then sliding down the stucco on the house... it's completely bloodied too.

What I can't figure out is what made him so frantic, or why he's doing this so suddenly. Is he just bored when I'm gone, or what?

Any advice or suggestions?

CantWait replied: WOW I don't know what to say. I can't see this being separation anxiety if this is the same routine you usually have. I hope someone can offer a suggestion for you. Poor little guy, hope he's ok.

Halo42101 replied: Oh, that must have been so frightening for you, Monica. I am sorry you found that when you got home and that Bogie was hurt. My heart breaks for him and his sudden distress but I can't figure out why he would do that either if it's your normal routine, unless something just really scared him.

mom21kid2dogs replied: IIRC Bogie isn't a puppy, right? Dogs can develop anxiety to things like storms, car trips, seperation. loud noises at any time (just like us) but if he's over a year or so old, you might consult your vet about it. Bailey had very bad seperation anxiety but he always had it from puppy on.

Do you have a means to put him in when you are gone (like a garage or a kennel) so that he might feel more secure? Has your daily amount of time you spend with him changed or has the routine changed any in your household? You could try exercising him more or leaving a PB filled Kong for him to chew and see if that helps. There are meds for anxiety that they can be prescribed so he won't hurt himself again but I'd rule out medical and environmental causes before going that route.

They can really be darn persistent when they get something in their heads (especially labs! ) and they certainly don't care what they have to do to get what they percieve they need. Sorry he hurt himself. Goofy boy!!

aspenblue1 replied: I would definately recommend putting in in a crate or something. Also can try like a kong filled with goodies to work on while you are gone. If it is anxiety they make some anxiety drops you can get at the pet store. IF it is really bad the vet can prescribe something.

MyLuvBugs replied: Oh poor puppy! I wish I knew what was making him so crazy. I really have no idea though. I hope you figure it out soon. Are you taking him to the vet?

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Awww poor little guy! I have heard of this. One of the moms down in Toronto, he dog started loosing his fur because she was gone for so long and was getting depressed. I would talk to your vet about this and see if they have any suggestions. All I can think is to put him in a safe room, like the bathroom while you are gone.

luvmykids replied: Thanks for all the ideas. The biggest change is that DH, who is his favorite person in the world, has been gone for quite awhile. Other than that, our day to day stuff is the same. The only other thing I can think of is that he's starting to go bonkers because we moved from 15 acres where he had roam of the land to the city. We have a good sized yard but I'm wondering if he's feeling too cooped up.

I did call the vet and they said to just put some first aid spray on the wounds, but it just looks worse than that to me so I may take him anyway. I'm going to get him a kong and try leaving him in the house and also try taking him to the park and letting him run around and see if that helps.

btw-He's about 3 yo.

Thanks again all!

luvbug00 replied: For an all natural medication use " resque remedy" it's made of all natural herbs and extracts it calms most animals ( dogs and cats) down and helps them relax..

CantWait replied:
Peanut butter or cheese whiz is super in the Kong, they digging that junk out.

A&A'smommy replied: poor bogie I can't imagine what would make him do something like that!!!

holley79 replied: Oh man that doesn't sound good. I hope you figure it out. I have no clue.

redchief replied: We had a dog like that once too, though because she was always like that we were always really careful about where we put her so she never got seriously injured. Our vet said pretty much what you were thinking. Dogs are very loyal and want to be with or near their masters at all times and he said the reaction to separation borders on or crosses the line you would call panic. He couldn't explain why some dogs do this and others don't.

ETA: How's Bogie's wounds? Healing I hope.

A&A'smommy replied: hey I was just looking through some dog training pages and I ran across this thought it might be helpful or at least give you some insight http://home.att.net/~vlea/Separation__Anxiety.html

luvmykids replied: TY Jessy Ann!

The only thing I'm stuck on is why, pretty much out of the blue, it got so bad for him to hurt himself like that? Anyone know if it's something that builds up until they can't take it, or what? I'm pretty sure it's linked to him not having DH around but that's not necessarily new.

I called the vet and they didn't think he needed to be seen, but I'm looking at the pads again and it's pretty bad, they're completely torn off and he seems miserable so he's going in tomorrow. Wish me luck, he hates the car and my 125 pounds trying to get his 110 pounds in the car is quite a fight (and good for a laugh to those watching, I'm sure!)

redchief replied: Wow... I never met a dog that didn't have a car butt. Anyway, our dog did get worse until she was 8 - 9, at which point she started to calm down a little. She actually chewed through a solid wood door, breaking two panes of glass in the process. Good luck at the vet.

luvmykids replied:
He loves trucks, hates cars

Thank you for giving me hope that in about 7 years he may mellow out