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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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Dogs do not live in the past. They only live in the present. You need to read the dog whisperers books or watch his show. It is usually the owners who are reinforcing this behavior. I'm not trying to be mean, just stating what I have learned. People often feel sorry for their dogs for what they have gone through. This does not help the dog at all. Humans need to learn to be the pack leader so their dogs feel safe.
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2 ReactionsThank you so much!
Partly true, dogs are present oriented, but ptsd is biological, No memories required. New neural pathways may be created by training, but it is case dependent, and harsh methods creating more trauma are cruel and non productive.
The “dog whisperer’s” methods' reliance on outdated and potentially harmful dominance-based theories have been widely criticized by trainers.
You may want to update your own education.
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1 ReactionA professional police dog trainer gave us tip on separation anxiety for any dog. Have a crate with his blankie and toys placed very close to where you usually sit and relax. Start giving your dog treats closer and closer to the crate and eventually place the treat inside the crate but leave the door open for him to go in & out freely. This makes the crate his safe place and gives him comfort. don't give him treats anywhere else. He will associate the crate with treats. That's phase 1. When he has adjusted to phase 1, phase 2 will be closing the crate door while he's eating his treat, but don't leave the room. Sit and relax. Let him see you haven't left. This may take time, but eventually he will get used to eating his treat with the door closed. As time goes by, leave the room briefly and return and make it longer each time. This worked beautifully for us. We called the crate "place" and every time we gave a treat we just said "place" showing the treat. Both dogs would run to get inside their crates and wait for their treats. Today, we don't need to crate them when we leave and occasionally we find them inside their crate (door is always open) taking a nap. True success. It's their safe, happy place. Give it a try!
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6 ReactionsMy husband and I bought a dog from a breeder. She had separation anxiety. She had diarrhea everywhere and she was constantly moving (repetitive behavior). WE talked to the vet and some very good people in the animal rescue community. We decided we wanted to give her up. This was difficult. The breeder would not take her back so the animal rescue lady took her to place her somewhere. I think the dog continued to have difficulties. I hope she found a home.
We are not proud of our decision but we couldn't accommodate her needs. I tell you this so you know you are not alone confronting difficult issues. If we were in a similar situation I would try the animal rescue community. People there have a wealth of information and experience and don't cost money. I hope you can find your solution.
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2 ReactionsStick with the dog. I am a stroke survivor because of a rescue dog. Am an RN adopted a emeicited older lab from death row at a shelter...he was in with young dogs and only could eat late at night...had panic attacks when i left home shoke terribly....then i stroked ..and inhaled my dinner ..laying on the floor dying the rescue dog put his nose under my middle rolling me on my side and pawed at my chest till I could breath..... . Seriously. That was in 09 ... I would have certainly died without him. ..
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4 ReactionsInspiring!
Many of our dogs, mostly the larger, created what I think of as their safe caves. Under desks, closets. I never liked dog cages because I thought of them as just that, cages. I still have never used one but would today and would probably throw a blanket over it but leaving the door open.
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2 ReactionsYes on covering a crate with a towel or blanket for their cozy place as long as they still have cool air and still see you or see the surroundings.
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3 ReactionsJust today, our Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) decided he wanted a nice quite nap away from the TV and hustle bustle going on in the house. It was so cute, he went to his open door crate safe space laying on his blankie with his head on his pillow. Such a big baby!
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