Cockapoo has serious separation anxiety

Question: We have a 2-year-old Cockapoo named Simon who cannot be left alone. I have taken movies of him for two hours (hidden camera) when alone. He barks, cries and jumps all over the door and walls while we were gone. We keep him with us all day long, and if we wish to go out to dinner, and he sees us getting dressed or even just putting on our shoes, he gets nervous. He spends 90 percent of the day on my lap. Any suggestions? – Gary

Answer: It sounds like Simon has ?separation anxiety?. Dogs that have separation anxiety are afraid of being alone. They may cry and pace after the owner leaves. Often they will urinate or defecate. They may claw at doors or windows and destroy items in the house.

This is a serious problem and tends to get worse as the dog gets older. Dogs with separation anxiety need to have a training program to help them control their fears. They often take their cues from the owner?s departure routines. Putting on shoes or picking up keys can start the anxiety.

To help Simon, you can start with basic obedience exercises like sit, stay, and down. Give your dog a reward for good behavior. When he is good at this, practice putting him in a down stay and try leaving the room. Gradually leave the room for longer periods of time and always reward him for being good.

Then try small steps like putting one shoe on, then taking it off. Pick up the keys then put them down. Put on your coat then take it off. Reward him for staying calm. As you progress with these exercises, start enriching your dog?s life with puzzle food toys. Instead of inhaling his food in a couple of seconds, it will make it fun and challenging to find and eat his food. You can then leave him with food in a puzzle toy while you exit the house. Leave a TV or radio on for him.
Make sure that you are very quiet and indifferent when you come home. Overzealous greetings can sometimes make for more anxiety upon departure.

It will take a long time before Simon will feel comfortable when you are gone. Dogs with severe separation anxiety can often benefit from medications. Prescription drugs like Clomicalm and Reconcile are approved for dogs with separation anxiety. They are taken daily but it may be several weeks before they reach their full potential. You can try DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) therapy. DAP is a ?feel good? pheromone that has been made into a spray, or a diffuser, or a collar.

Your veterinarian may also suggest a short-acting drug for anxiety to fill in until your dog is refocused. Many dogs do well in a doggy daycare while you are at work. Some dogs do better if they are conditioned to confinement in a dog crate or airline type kennel as their safe calm spot. Other dogs do better if they have the whole house to roam.
For more information on separation anxiety go to www.veterinarypartners.com.

Dr. Baker

Dr. Susan Baker
Baker Veterinary Clinic
1801 S. Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Read more articles by Dr. Baker | Ask her a question

Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/11/08/cockapoo-has-serious-separation-anxiety/

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Breed Profile: Boxer

By Kristine Lacoste, Pets Adviser

Boxers are affectionate, playful watch dogs great for families with children. Find out how they got their name and more in our boxer breed profile.

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Source: http://petsadviser.com/breeds/breed-profile-boxer/

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A Raw Food Diet To Ease Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)

Source: http://www.groovypetblog.com/2012/06/a-raw-food-diet-to-ease-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibd.html

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Pup suffer from chronic ear infections?

Source: http://www.groovypetblog.com/2012/10/pup-suffer-from-chronic-ear-infections-get-off-the-grains.html

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Halloween: Don't Make it Scary for Pets

Source: http://www.groovypetblog.com/2012/10/halloween-dont-make-it-scary-for-pets.html

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Ease into introducing new addition to current dogs

Question: I have a 2-year-old female dog and want to introduce a new member to the family, a 1-year-old rescue female dog. I’m worried about aggression from my first dog, since she is a strong alpha female. Any suggestions? – Monika

Answer: It can be tricky to introduce a new dog into the family. I am glad that you are trying to get help. People often decide to get a new dog and do not think about how they will get along with the existing pets.

Some dogs have not been properly socialized with other dogs, cats, or humans. These dogs will have a hard time getting along with any dog. Take time to get to know the new dog and if possible arrange the first meeting in a neutral location away from their homes.

You may be able to have the dogs meet at a dog park or a doggie day care center. The dogs can be walked around at a distance so that they can smell and see each other and then if they both seem calm you can try off leash. Some dogs are more likely to be reactive while on leash, so try to find a location where they can see each other through a chain link fence.

If the dogs appear to be friendly, that is a good sign. Several meetings like this is ideal. When you actually bring the new dog home, it may not go as well. The established family dog may get aggressive over her territory and toys. You can try putting each dog in a separate crate, and when they are calm, let one dog out to walk around and sniff the other dog through the bars of the crate. Then put that dog back in her crate and let the other one out to sniff around.

Make sure all food, treats, chews, and toys are put away for the initial greeting. Fights can start over guarding food or toys. If you give one dog a treat, give the other dog a treat and make sure that it is not given in a way that may make the dogs want to fight over it.

With patience and guidance, the introduction usually goes well.

Dr. Baker

Dr. Susan Baker
Baker Veterinary Clinic
1801 S. Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Read more articles by Dr. Baker | Ask her a question

Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/08/24/ease-into-introducing-new-addition-to-current-dogs/

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Dog Accessories

Nearly every accessory exists for dogs today.  While some may not be necessities, there are many that are, and when it comes to clothing, jewelry and collars and charms for the dogs, the market is flooded with wonderful selections.

First when choosing dog accessories, consider the personality of your dog.  Are they an animal that is comfortable in clothing?  Are they fairly active? 

For dogs that are comfortable in clothing, there is everything to choose from dresses, shirts and slacks, shorts, hoodies, t-shirts, sweeters, windbreakers, raincoats, swimsuits shoes and sandals.  And, there is a style for every occasion from simple casual wear to elegant events.

For dogs that are not comfortable in clothing there are beautiful collars and charms, and other jewelry such as bracelets. 

For that special look accessories definitely are a fashion statement that helps to comfort, protect and bring out the personality in your pet. 

Source: http://poochieheaven.blogspot.com/2011/07/dog-accessories.html

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