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Adopted dog success stories?
My husband, 78, and I, 75, adopted a little seven-year-old Rescue terrier seven weeks ago. He’s the cutest, most loving thing with the both of us at home. But we have discovered since bringing him home that he has terrible separation anxiety. We cannot leave him in a crate, or in a room or even in the house for a minute without terrible heartbreaking crying and barking. We even installed cameras and the barking and crying do not diminish no matter how long we are gone. So we have not left the house together now for over a month. We have spent a small fortune on a behaviorist veterinarian and trainer, and we are doing everything, including putting him on Prozac. We are hoping that sometime over the next several months things will improve, but it’s a challenge. Question, has anyone survived the sort of situation? Also, are we insane adopting a dog at our age? He may be seven but he’s a little so he might have a pretty long life. That part doesn’t worry me as much as the behavior issues. Finally, returning him probably means euthanasia so it’s a horrible, horrible decision whether to keep him or not.
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I empathize with your separation anxiety and new fur child.
We adopted a puppy at ages 74 and 76. That was aa challenge as I'd forgotten the puppy stage.
I've done the slow desensitization method, behaviorist, vet, etc etc.
Sadly with minimal progress over the past years. Out dog now takes a daily medication and when we HAve to leave her alone, we give some Trazodone. What has worked is hiring a local dog walker who yAkes her several mornings a week with the "crew". She still shakes but happily goes when I am out of sight. She also is better if my granddog is here.
We take her everywhere; southern California restaurants included. She is well trained.
The inconvenience is definitely a problem but the love and companionship far outweighs the negative aspect.
Very very very slow progress is all one can expect. Perhaps you can find a neighbor or a teen to dog sit as needed?
Try not to return the dog -- They are out fur children. Here is not little dog with her walking group- she's the little black schnoodle!
Best if Luck to the 3 of you!
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6 ReactionsThe photo was taken from the internet. Try Amazon. They have everything.
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2 Reactions@funcountess
I cured mine from separation anxiety same way. There are treats in front closet. Anytime lI eave, she gets a treat. She is so excited about treat, forgets me leaving.
I adopted my older dog right after caner surgery. It was a great cuddler and was motivation to get out of bed.
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5 ReactionsSince the episode I described above we have had several cats and one dog. Cody was from the animal shelter. I remember going into the dog area and I saw Cody sitting up by his door looking at each person walking by. When he looked in my eyes I felt like I was locked, heart and soul, to this dog. When we got him home he immediately brought the house and us into focus. I guess he made it a home. He never saved my life or my husband's but he made us a family. I have read that a dog will give you your most wonderful day and one of your worst. He has been gone for several years and we still miss him.
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11 Reactions@tcokeefe
One of my rescue dogs didn't like to be left at home without me. I took her on several daily walks, mostly around the neighborhood. We both enjoyed meeting the neighbors and spending time outside. She always liked to ride in the car and visit my friends. She was miserable in a crate so I did not crate her. I allowed her full access to the house with a dog door leading to a fenced backyard.
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3 Reactions@suesmithrn
Wonderful story. Thank you for it. It made my day.
@roch
I like the practice of giving your dog a treat every time you leave, brilliant!
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1 ReactionWe traveled in a motorhome with a Lab pup and a Jack Russell Terrier. Going into restaurants, etc was a challenge when they'd bark at every pedestrian, every noise. We bought this electronic device made by Sunbeam called "The Egg". That did the trick. It makes a sound that dogs don't like when they bark. We never had a problem after we began using it. Here is a link from PetsMart. I think they sell them elsewhere, too.
https://www.petsmart.com/dog/collars-harnesses-and-leashes/training-collars-leashes-and-harnesses/sunbeam-ultrasonic-egg-dog-bark-control-device---up-to-50-ft-range-92205.html
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2 Reactions@marta -- Very cute black poodle in the pic! And they're so sharp... fast learners.
/LarryG
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2 ReactionsWe've always had Labs that we raised from pups. Then I brought home a 2 yr old Male Jack Russell Terrier given to me by a breeder who was downsizing. He was the love of our lives. He passed at 17 1\2 and we went into mourning. When we thought of getting another dog we both knew we didn't want a new dog....we wanted him back. That took over a year to get over. Well I'm 68 with MS and coming off a two year battle with 2 cancers and Hubs is battling his own arthritis issues. But we thought if we found the right adult dog we could bring that Dog Joy back into our lives.
Little did we know the meaning of Dog Joy! We adopted Tonto a Portuguese Podengo Poqueno from a rescue org. in Rochester. He is spectacular! He is bonded to Hubs and prefers him over me., Which is fine....the JRT was my boy. But,this little angel is the best boy. He was rescued in Tijuana. He's a great cuddler. Housebreaking was easy. No chewing, barking, or even shedding! Just a delight!
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4 Reactions