Ww may have talked to the same lady. This wnekeed there was a Pet Expo here in Colorado and a new customer was telling us the story how she was pulled over by an attachment which connects to the seat. What makes the Bike-a-Buddy different is a low attachment on both sides of the bicycle. We also designed a spring system which allows the dog to pull. There are times where a distraction ie. squirrel other dog runs across our path but as long as we are moving forward the dog's momentum keeps them moving with the bike. If you get a chance to watch our videos online (afitdog.com) watch how Buddy the dogs pulls. It doesn't get much worse than that.Thanks again,Terry

My 4yr old lab is a rescue that we got 9 months ago. When she is home her separation anxiety is fine but when I take her in public and tie her to a restaurant railing, if I am more than 3 feet away she starts crying and barking even if she can see me. I have tried calming here using basic commands of sit and lay down but that only lasts a few minutes. Any suggestions on techniques that calm her when I walk away for a few minutes?

For a dog that is experiencing stress, such as separation anxiety, this can lead to a host of tummy problems such as diarrhea. I would make sure to be providing a supplement that will help promote healthy gastrointestinal health like Canine Fortiflora. Lord knows that yucky tummy on top of being separated from your pack is a double whammy!

You can find out more about how anxiety wraps might help your dog at this page: http://anxietywrapreviews.com/anxiety-wrap-dogs-best-friend-during-high-stress/

Another possible way to help lessen your dog's separation anxiety is through the use of an anxiety wrap, such as the Thundershirt , used in conjunction with the suggestions listed in this post.

We did a video about this same subject with some nice suggestions: http://thedoggiedish.com/episodesDetail.php?id=helping-your-dogs-separation-anxiety

I have had a number of rescued animals with separation anxiety. I have found a wonderful way of reducing the problem. It works with all kinds of animals.My sister-in-law has been trying it with her macaw and it it working. Everytime I leave I look the animal in the face and calmly and cheerfully say, "I'll be back!" When I return I say, "I'm back!" When first using this I go and only stay a few minutes so they get the idea that I will not abandon them. If I must leave them for boarding or grooming, I first take them in to the place and tell them I'll be back, and come back in a few minutes and take them with me. Then, when I really leave them, they can believe me. Every place I have ever asked to let me do thin has been happy to comply. I was trying to train one dog to be a therapy dog who flunked whenever I had to move away from her. I took her to a lot of public places and asked families with older kids to help me by holding her while I went out of sight for a few minutes. She passed and became a wonderful therapy dog for veterans with PTSD.

suggestions: leave on soft classical music- shelters are doing this now to calm animals with great success. talk to your vet, local pet store that offers training- local dog trainers and classes, websites, stress pills, confining to one room, lights on at night of course- the treat toys they have to work at-ddoggy daycare if possible or a ddog walker if gone all day

To Marie, I'm so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a pet and I can't even think of losing my 13 year old jack. He is my life. I will pray for your heart to heal. It will get better.

I rescued a 1 year old greyhound sheppard mix. She is very picky and sometimes doesn't eat her food only treats. She goes through separation anxiety we have a cage for her and she has chewed the plastice bottom in it and anything that we put in there with her ie a bed,blanket, towels. Can anyone help or have some great advice? The first day we had her we left her out and she tore up pillows were afraid to try it again. HELP

We rescued our Loki from the Brooklyn Animal Care and Control shelter. He was extremly anxious and frightened and also old (8). It has taken awhile for him to trust that when we leave we will return. Often a snack hidden inside a bone distracts him when we leave. It also helps to give him a few drops of Rescue Remedy.

A big cage is the best. I adopted a rescue Border Collie mix - needless to say, aside from being a rescue dog, he was also extremely hyper and smart. He DEFINITELY had separation anxiety. My previous dog I could leave alone in the house with no problems, so I was perplexed when my new rescue dog tore up my entire living room whenever I'd leave. A friend told me that part of the anxiety was being in such a big environment - they get distracted or feel overwhelmed and don't know what to do with themselves... and that dogs naturally gravitate towards more intimate quarters anyway. Not TOO intimate to where they feel locked away in a crate, but BIG quarters like a huge cage put into the corner of a familiar room. So I bought one that even I could crawl into. I put a poofy bed in there and let him explore it. I even got in there with him a couple of times and gave him treats. I made it a fun place for him, but also let him know it was all his. "His little doggie-condo." Every time I leave I put a toy in there, turn the radio on for him, leave a light on if at night, and give him a treat. Not only does he volunteer to go in there on his own now, he beats me to it when he sees me putting the finishing touches on my make up and grabbing my keys! He loves the routine and special attention he gets during this little going-away ritual. That "doggie condo" saved the rest of my home! Remember - the big cage - not the crate.

I adopted a 3 yr old shelter dog a month ago, and just started fostering a 2 yr old shelter dog this weekend. Exercise is crucial -- but even a half hour walk might not be enough. My newly adopted dog and foster dog played in my fenced in yard for a full hour and a half -- wrestling and running -- before I had to crate them and go to work. They were so tired they fell asleep -- no crying (as was happening with my adopted dog when he didn't get enough exercise in the morning). What passes for adequate exercise for us isn't necessarily enough for a dog, depending on what breed mix or breed and age the dog is.

I have done all of those things, and if I leave my dog in the house when I go to work, he tries to bust out of the window. He's done it twice so now he has his pen outside cause he will get hurt. We had to replace two windows. It means that we really don't go out especially at night. He gets walked every morning for half hour and in the evening. I'm stumped!

My dog chews through our wall and we put up a piece of plywood and he chewed through that. I don't know what to do anymore. I have tried everything that you have suggested.

i amvery upset and crying all day my sunconor named skinky died today and I just cant get over it. I cant stop crying the pain is so bad

I have a 2 year old min pin adopted from a no kill shelter. we adore her and have had her for a year. the only issue is walking her. she will try to attack all dogs and won't even take a treat,is just too excited.. she goes crazy, tries to bite the leash and me if we try to calm her down. we have tried everything and nothing works including obedience classes.

I adopted an adult female ridgeback mix about 63 lbs estimated barely a year old who was abandonded in the night at the pound with new born pups. She was farmed out to a foster mother, and once her pups were old enough, I adopted her finding her on petfinder.com. I kept her inside when at work. The second week I came home to a living room chair in absolute shambles. Everything ripped up all over the place. I bought a cage large enough for a 120 lb dog. I made her a bed in there with food and water bowls too. All weekend she got used to going in and out. I tossed treats in there for her to retrieve. I froze canned dog food inside kongs and those beef bones you get at pet stores. When I left for work she got some stuffed kongs and was locked in the cage. I put a towel on it so she hadonly one side to see out. Voila! no more problems! She loved her cage and would go in for a rest. I decided to wean her off the cage dependency by leaving for short trips with the door closed but unlocked. One day I came home the door was open but she was inside. Eventually she would find the couch and sleep. Two years later I adopted another dog, this time a 5 month old huge mystery mutt. ( Lab Shepherd they told me..more like Great Dane and dinosaur) Sienna allowed her in the cage and I started the puppy, Sasha in the cage. Both now are sleeping in the living room when I am at work. No problems. In the future if I adopt any more dogs, I will always use the cage for the first year. I recommend one that the dog can get up and stand completely up, turn around, stretch and play a bit.

We have a 2 year miniture schnauzer, and we have to crate him when we leave the house he barks and barks and cries when we leave. if I leave him out, he stands at the door and barks and his face gets all wet. We would love to leave him out of the crate while we are at work, but I am scared to. Any suggestions we can try?

We have a 9 yr old weimaraner that came to us at 5 weeks of age. We read up on the breed and found they are highly likely to have separation anxiety. So, we started very young with her. Very simple at first. Tell her "be back soon," and go outside just out of sight for 3 to 5 minutes. Enter without a fuss. Slowly we increased it to 30 minute runs up to the grocery store, then 1 hour when we taught a class. By the time she was a year old she was fine with several hours, but you MUST make sure to let them outside to go potty and get some exercise before leaving them. It's a building process and short exits teach them there's no reason to panic. NEVER make a big deal of leaving or returning. They should see it as a normal process. Good luck to all!

Our older dog also does not like departures. We've found that the Kong "trick" you mention--give him one just as we're leaving--has been effective. He now starts salivating when we pick up our keys. We'll also put on soothing music such as "Music for a Dog's Ear."

Don't know what happened, but since posting on this site, when I leave neither dog has emptied the kitty litter, jumped on kitchen counter or ransacked my bed!

Oh Lord, I thought i had problems. After reading your stories. I felt a lucky one.LOL.

I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD MINI PIN. HE GOES BANANAS WHEN ANYBODY LEAVES INCLUDING ME. HE SPINS IN CIRCLES AND TRIES TO BITE. BARKS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THANKS

I need help with my 3 year old Toy Poodle.She goes wild when we try & leave the car,when she's picked up,when she's put down,& when she's stroked anywhere other than her head ! Please help!!

pheromone collars have been very helpful for many anxious dogs and cats. Wonderful for introducing new animals, separation anxiety, and many other stressors The THundershirts are also great for some anxiety issues like thunderstorms

I've been using tips from Cesar Milan on Dog Whisperer and the "No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact until they are calm" rule has cured my dogs from going crazy when we leave or come home! He's my hero!

Our dog is very well behaved but we crate him at night because he runs all over the house. He barks and barks if crated. Also if he can tell we are leaving, he barks and barks at my daughter and husband but not at me. He also urinates on the carpet on in one room only when we are gone but not if someone is here. HELP! I love him to death but need this to stop.

our toy poodles, after a storm, we had a house fire so they are scared of storms and us leaving them. for one thing we were in such a bad shape after the fire we stayed with them for 1 yr other than going to store so now when husband goes to work they get all upset and does ok as long as i stay home but if i go too, the look we get is fear and we tell them we be back and always brings a treat but when we get home they are so relieved.. it breaks are heart to leave them

i have a 5 yr old chiwuahwuah and he is 100% attached to me, he is always barking and gets so upset when there is company over or when i leave. i am willing to try these tricks and hopefully they work. he stresses, i stress.

To Tiffany, your Labradoodle sounds like 2 situations. 1 is he is bored which is why he chewed the rug, he chewed your underwear because he is mad at you. Your guy is a mix of 2 high energy breeds. He needs to get out and burn his energy. Alot of people are in favor of crating dogs while they are out, like you I am not one of them, but it does have great results. I foster cats and have a large crate for the mom and her kittens. When the crate is empty each boy (Tigger and Hooch) go in the crate. It is their "safe place" and they are very comfortable there. But when he is let out you MUST make sure you let him run otherwise he may run circles around you. While getting him a buddy would be terrific for him, with your schedule it is more likely that you will have 2 bored dogs and would that be fair to them? Can you get someone to walk him while you are gone? He will get over his issues it will just take time.

hi I'm jenny I had three female dogs.who were great friends.Two weeks ago two of them died suddenly, it was very traumatic.and my third dog who is a german sheperd of 2 yrs old is very depressed does want to be alone does not want to eat where she used to, well her behaviour has changed completly from indepndant to do not leave my side please what can i do to help her thankyou in advance

To Amy.. about her 7 yr. old tortie cat that started peeing out side the litter box...What are you cleaning the litter box with? ,because my sister had the same problem, all of sudden her cat started potting outside her box, because my sister was using vinegar to clean the box, which cats hate the smell of... So her cat stopped using the box, because she could smell the vinegar. Vinegar mixed with water is good for accidents on the carpet also guaranteed the won't go in same spot again! Hope this helps your mystery of why your cat suddenly started going outside her box?

Check out cesar milans the dog whisperer books, they have been a god send to my husband and I understanding and helping our amazing Pup, Athena :) she the best most well behaved American Staffordshire Terrier ever! Thx to the books :))

To Amy with cat urniation problems outside the cat litter box... If it's a behavior problem try these tips... Get Cat Attract cat litter from petsmart or petco. Get the air freshener Feliway from there to, they also have a spray to. Put small piles of catnip in a areas your cat like to hang out most. Lots of toys to! Have a cat litter box on every level of yoir house... Its recommended to have one more box than cats (1:2 or 2:3) Make sure the cat litter box is in an area your cat likes to: it's in a safe place away from other animals, it's comfortable, and that it's not to old of a box. Hope this helps ;) and keep in mind that it's hard to deal with this but you are truly an amazing pet owner for loving him through his challenges and you both can get past this together :) in the mean time get a good steam clean vacuum :))

Great article. My problem is that I have an extremely well mannered 3 yr old labradoodle. He is such a great dog, but in the last week he has chewed my large area rug and 5 pair of underware of mine. I'm afraid it's because I started school back up, and I work 5 days a week so he's alone so much. I think he really is just very upset with me and he gets bored being home alone. He's never chewed anything except for one slipper when he was two months old, since then he's never done it again until now. I just don't know what to do, and I couldn't bare to crate him all day... I just don't know what to do... Maybe getting another dog to keep him occupied?

My 7 yr. old tortie cat has started to pee outside the litter box. Not every time, but enough that my husband wants her gone. I've tried cleaning the litter box more often, adding an extra litter box, any suggestions? The vet said there is nothing physically wrong.

Tigger's problem is not exercise or pack issues. HE has 7+ acres to run on is submissive to not only me but to Hooch. The poor boy just has issues. He is very attached to me making it very difficult to leave him for any period of time. He is horribly afraid of thunderstorms, as alot of dogs are. One of mine barks at the thunder, Tigger shakes uncontrollably. He is also afraid of the dark (he accidentally chased a bear in our backyard, once he realized what he had done, he hid behind the sofa and shook). When he was behind the sofa shakey is when I finally realized the noise I was hearing was his teeth chattering). When he gets scared not only does he shake but his teeth chatter so there is a real fear here, not just territorial, pack or exercise issues. Suggestions?

Wow! There are a lot of issues here that have some features in common with separation anxiety -- and some may be separation anxiety -- but some defining of terms is a good idea. Anxiety is a mental, emotional and physiological state rather than a behavior, per se. While in a state of anxiety, the observed behaviors may include chewing, escape attempts, self-mutilation,vocalizing, peeing & defecating, etc. It is extremely important to know if you are dealing with an anxious animal or just one who doesn't like being alone and is bored, lonely or frustrated. If your dog is truly experiencing separation anxiety, you have got to relieve the suffering (yes, it is truly suffering) before you can hope to, first, raise her threshhold of reaction to triggers (your exit and absence)and second, teach her how to self-calm by using things like radio, TV, stuffed Kongs, etc before that threshhold is reached. This is why a veterinary behavior specialist will do an exhaustive questionnaire before making a diagnosis. It helps if there is video showing the dog in the throes of the anxiety, because it often excalates and it's important to know the starting point in order to measure the effectiveness of treatment. The commonest things that get wrongly labeled as sepanx, in my experience, are incomplete training -- housebreaking, and also preparation training for spending time alone. Dogs are the second most social beings on the planet (to our own species!) and being left alone is never their idea of how to spend their time! Add to that, incomplete housetraining and incomplete teaching what objects are OK to chew on and not enough exercise and real interactive time with you, and some unwanted behaviors are entirely predictable. Anxiety can be a true attachment disorder -- an over-dependency problem -- or it can result from frightening events that occur when the dog is alone (and you may never even know about, because you're not there)that either are extreme and irregular, or occur at predictable times and are painful and unavoidable by the dog (like the kid next door's rock band practicing, or domestic violence at the neighbor's.) For the owner with the anxious dog who used Reconcile, you did the right thing! I'm assuming you had a full behavioral workup by a qualified vet. But the drug allows you to arrange for the dog to learn new ways of being alone that aren't scary. If you've ever had a panic attack, you know that if someone offered you an ice cream cone at its peak, it wouldn't help you at all. But if, in your normal state, you learned that after a couple of hours of snoozing or listening to the radio an ice cream cone would appear, it would be a force for calmness in anticipation (at least if you like ice cream!) Melanie, your puppy doesn't sound anxious, just a normal puppy -- lonely, bored, and not managed for success. She is too little to be on her own all day and should have someone come and give her some interaction and a potty break midway, or find a good day care situation til she's older. Meanwhile you can puppy proof the area you leave her alone in so she can't get bad stuff. And you can teach her to recognize dog toys by marking them with a special scent -- there's a product called My Dog Can Read! for just that purpose. Teaching her things -- toy recognition, but also all kinds of things, stimulates her brain and increases her inner resources for coping with the stress of being alone. And make sure she gets a couple of good work outs every day, as well as plenty of both interaction and quiet companionship. I understand the reluctance to use drugs. But true anxiety causes dogs hideous suffering, and almost always behavioral intervention protocols alone aren't sufficient. Taking the pain down several notches is what the drugs do, which allows you to do those interventions effectively. Calmness and a feeling of safety at home, with safe ways to pass the time change a dog's expectations when he sees you getting ready to leave, and the calm behavior becomes a new habit. But the relief has to come first.

I have four dogs. When I leave they become terrors! They are border collie Aussie mixed.I started using a vid cam when i went to work and when i saw them start to get into trouble I'd call up and yell at them over the answering machine. this worked for about three weeks...my youngest snuffy knows how to pop the top off of soda/water/beer bottles so before I left I put a six pack up on the table so she couldn't get them, yeah right.She grabbed the paper bag after pushing out the chair to get up there, put it on the floor took a beer out cracked the top and started drinking...when I phoned she barked at the camera ran in the kitchen came back with a bag of slim jims and proceeded to party! I had to call my daughter and send her over to stop Snuffy...the funniest part the other dogs stood there watching and didnt dare join in, but they looked like they wanted to! I have several hilarious stories about my naughty dogs!

I have tried everything U have said n also what my vet doctor said. He is also on Clomicalm. He has numerous toys n I give him a treat while I am gone also.He does not chew on things such as furniture. If I leave him run the house,he pries open a bedroom door n poops in there. If I crate him,he pees in crate all the time. He also is barking n when he is out of crate he is by the window watching n waiting for my return. Also when I am home he sits on his recliner by the window n if anyone walks by he is scratching the window. I feel like I am getting no where. I adopted him when he was 2,he is now 3. He is mixed w/ a cocker n a lab. Any other suggestions???

Back in the 80s we had a rescue dog who used to tear the house up ever time we left him. I began leaving the stereo on with the audio from a TV station, and he almost immediately quit tearing things up while we were gone. Eventually, we didn't even have to do that anymore.

When I was a kid we had a collie/shepard mix dog who thought she was human. There were four of us (kids) that roamed the farm and she always tagged along. Sometimes we would not want her to come with us and when we told her to "go home" she played the hangdog role..hanging head, tail between her legs, looking back over her shoulder w/soulful eyes as she started for home. Of course, she always won that little game. She was afraid of guns & thunderstorms. There was nothing we could do when a TS struck except wait for her to come out from wherever she was hiding. She also hid and shook when someone was using a gun for target practice or to shoot varmints. She didn't like people who were French (how did she know?). Our "jack of all trades" handyman for many years was French and he never got out of his car without a stick in his hand. During harvest time, most of the hired help were French-Canadians and were warned not to walk by the "big house". I have never had a dog since then that was as intelligent, protective and loyal as my beloved Tammy (short for Tam-O-Shanter).

When I was a kid we had a collie/shepard mix dog who thought she was human. There were four of us (kids) that roamed the farm and she always tagged along. Sometimes we would not want her to come with us and when we told her to "go home" she played the hangdog role..hanging head, tail between her legs, looking back over her shoulder w/soulful eyes as she started for home. Of course, she always won that little game. She was afraid of guns & thunderstorms. There was nothing we could do when a TS struck except wait for her to come out from wherever she was hiding. She also hid and shook when someone was using a gun for target practice or to shoot varmints. She didn't like people who were French (how did she know?). Our "jack of all trades" handyman for many years was French and he never got out of his car without a stick in his hand. During harvest time, most of the hired help were French-Canadians and were warned not to walk by the "big house". I have never had a dog since then that was as intelligent, protective and loyal as my beloved Tammy (short for Tam-O-Shanter).

Please try a professional animal communicator. Each pet is very different in their needs. We can help by finding out what their perspective is and then through a needs and offer negotiation style session that is very sucessful with just about every behavior issue.

@Tryniti (and others!), I've used this tip I read once in another article: "Your animal knows the departure clues when you put on your shoes, turn off the TV, and grab your keys and briefcase on your way out. Try putting your keys in your pocket an hour before you leave. Put on your shoes and pick up your bag - and walk back to your favorite chair and sit down." It helped. As did practicing frequent fake departures where I would walk out the door then immediately come back in. By gradually increasing the time away too, departures and arrivals soon became more commonplace and boring rather than stressful for my dog. Hope this helps too in addition to the good ASPCA tips! :)

@Tryniti, I've used this tip I read once in another article: "Your animal knows the departure clues when you put on your shoes, turn off the TV, and grab your keys and briefcase on your way out. Try putting your keys in your pocket an hour before you leave. Put on your shoes and pick up your bag - and walk back to your favorite chair and sit down." It helped. As did practicing frequent fake departures where I would walk out the door then immediately come back in. By gradually increasing the time away too, departures and arrivals soon became more commonplace and boring rather than stressful for my dog. Hope this helps too in addition to the good ASPCA tips! :)

I had the WORST PUPPY IN THE WORLD - she destroyed anything she could sink her teeth into UNTIL I adopted another dog to keep her company (a cat didn't work). She's been fine ever since.

I do all of the above things but my dog still freaks out whenever I come home, and cries when I leave (when not leaving for work - shoe knows my schedule). Any other tips? I'm NOT medicating her so don't bother suggesting that, please. It's not that severe, but it is frustrating and disturbing to my neighbors. Also, being a "pack leader" has nothing to do with it. Cesar Milan has gotten into trouble before for his theories. If you're going to idolize a dog trainer, have it be Victoria from "It's me or the dog". She knows what she's doing ;0)

I adopted three older, abused dogs. They have a variation on anxiety disorder in that they do NOT want to go outside unless I go with them. That means, despite the fact that they have the run of a huge back yard, I need to walk out there with them while they pee. They they run back into the house with me. When I put them outside by themselves, they just sit by the back door staring in at me! They're find if I leave them in the house alone when I'm gone!

I had an old spaniel, who, when we moved from a house to an apartment across the country, had terrible separation anxiety. he would pee everywhere, chew furniture, pant and drool crazy and bark incessantly. I finally took him to the vet and she put him on a medicine called Reconcile, which is like prozac for dogs. it worked MIRACLES! He felt so much better within a day or two, (though the meds made him pant quite a lot). he was only on it for about 2 months, then I slowly tapered off the dose until he didn't need it anymore. If your dog really suffers from this anxiety, please give Reconcile a try - you'll both be so much happier!

When getting a puppy or new dog,at first we intentionally left for very short periods, such as to the mailbox, then extended the time away to walk around the block, eg, then to go to the grocery. The dogs get used to your coming and going and it is no sweat. We have never had a house destroyer since doing this.

I just adopted a little Chi from Puerto Rico. I have only had her three weeks but she never leaves me. When I have to go and leave her home alone she sleeps on my bed until I return.

I use all of the mentioned methods plus distraction. I make sure a TV or radio is left on to provide background noise, just as they usually are when I'm home and awake.

The dogs that suffer from separation anxiety are dogs who believe they're the pack leader and so when his/her pack goes away the dog gets stressed. Once you establish your pack leadership to your dog, it will no longer feel the need to worry when you leave. Pack leaders in dogs go and return as they please without any reaction from their followers-the rest of the pack. Check out Cesar Milan's dog behavior training methods!

Thundershirt has worked wonders with our rescue boxer. Also, putting his bed in a place next to a window that he can see out -- he can watch us leave and then return...plus keeping goodbyes, hellos calm...and two long walks a day.

To paula Cats can take rescue remedy also. Put a drop in their water bowl.

The people that are still having the issue exercise is the key, get a http://www.theletsgo.com/pet-walker.html# [Lets Go Dog runner]rode my dog with the bike for a mile every night and it helped so much, it would take me about 10 min and she would get such a workout sometimes I would take her before work. Exercise is the answer!!!

Check out a show called It's Me Or The Dog. Did wonders for me and my dog.

For my Golden who was afraid of his shadow, and especially of thunderstorms, Rescue Remedy worked. I didn't really start for that, I just gave it to him nightly to calm him before sleep as he got older, and then noticed that his thunderstorm/firework anxiety had disappeared as a result,.

My dog was a nightmare before and now she is an angel since I started watching a show called It's Me Or The Dog. I've been following the ideas that Victoria suggests and there is not more problems. :)

I have tried all items stated here. I have a rescue dog, he's probably a ridgback/lab mix (Tigger probably 10+yo). Even when he is greeted (tail wags so hard his butt shakes) he is acknowledged. When I leave, even if my daugther is home (and I have 2 other rescue dogs so he is never alone) he goes nuts. He has rearranged my living room, he jumps on the counter in kitchen, flooded my kitchen, pulled the toaster to the ground and ruined the cord, torn up my LR furniture, gone thru 2 window screens. In the beginning I cut him some slack because he had been at the shelter for at leat 1 year. I live on 7 acres with State Forest around me so he gets alot of exercise, his running buddy is a rescued probably Shepperd/rotti (Hooch) mix who is probably 2 and endless engery so Tigger and Hooch run forever. He doesn't pee in the house anymore when I am gone, but when I leave all bets are off...Now mind you, if he is out running when I leave he will be on the porch waiting for me. So he knows I am coming back. I am at my wits end with this boy. I have had him about 1 year and won't send him back, but he is making me crazy

Try Thunder shirt for all of these concerns....my yorkie goes to sleep the minute I put it on her. The pressure helps to relax them. Works!!!

------- Submitted by Elaina at:September 16, 2011 11:41 AM My dog pooped on me. ------- I'm sorry this post made me laugh...was it supposed to be a joke?

i have a two year old pom mix and a year old poodle mix. i have had to move three times in the last three years and leave the dogs in cages every day. if i leave them out all the wood in my house gets chewed. i don't know which one is doing it.. they have chew toys, i walk them everyday, they sleep with me every night....y do they destroy my house?

www.thundershirt.com

I have a 4 almost 5 year old yorkie and he's such a good boy compared to all the stories I've heard of yorkies. When my husband and I leave for work, shopping, etc, I kiss him, tell him bye bye, and he'll run to the bedroom and looks out the window where he sees us leave. No problem there, but when we get home, he is so excited to see us, and will bark or and roll around for attention. We tried to ignore him, but he won't stand down. This isn't a problem to us, we're just as excited to see him as he is when we get home. We had him since he was 6 months old and we had to leave him home alone when we leave, so we believe he's used to it and knows how to stay alone. Almost, he is trained and is free to roam around the house when we are gone.

Thunder blanket (see skymall magazine online or on the airplane), phermones such as in Comfort available at your pet store, prozac or other such meds.

My problem is the same as Art's but it also takes in crating my Rescue Pom. I don't know if he was left in a crate all the time or if he went everywhere with the previous owner, but he goes insane, screaming and barking and trying to bite when I leave him to go to work or shut a door between us or get out of my car. My husband is waiting and prayer for my little noisemaker to lose his voice. Need some help. I leave quietly and do not make a big deal about leaving. I've tried spraying him with water. He gets madder. If I holler at him he talks back. He will just not be silenced.

My dog pooped on me.

I have a 9 yo Bichon, she is alone all day while I am at work and she is fine. However, apparently when I go on vacation the second night I am gone she howls all night every night. My brother takes care of her while I'm gone but nothing seems to quell the howling. Any suggestions??

Our basset/lab cross suffered from seperation anxiety, that is why he ended up in a shelter. I first adopted a buddy with him, but that didn't help. I gave him a pillow to shred, but he grew tired of that and shredded the couch. I kenneled him while we were gone, then over the course of a year, left him out alone for longer and longer periods of time. By the time he was 3 the behavior was done. Don't know if it was age or the gradual time periods spent alone, but it worked. Too bad whoever gave him up wasn't willing to work with him...they gave up a fantastic dog!

My dog is 5-1/2 and have tried all of the above and she still has issues w/me leaving. She gets so excited when I come home, i do make a big deal but me leaving is a big issue. everyone else that leaves she could call less about! what can i say SHE LOVES ME!

try thundershirt i wouldnt have believed if i didnt try it myself calms my springer down as soon as i put it on her shes still a little nervous with the storms but no where near as bad

To Tammie, re dog afraid of thunderstorms. Buy your dog a Thunder Shirt.They're about $40.00 on line.

This really does work. My pit bull Lily and german shepherd Shiloh would get into everything. Come home to a shredded house. I act like I didn't care and played with them more before I left for work. And now they are little angels. And for the thunderstorms, I have no clue. My dogs hide in my bath tub and shake. It's make me feel bad. So I take my blankets and their toys and just sit with them. Kinda helps but not really.

Has anyone experienced this with cats? Or even, how one can get upset if they hear yelling in the house?

When my dog was around 18 months I would come home from work to find she was busy all day re-decorated the living room. She took all the magazines & papers she could find and shred them throughout the living room. I would come home and start laughing and saying "well Thank You for redecorating - its beautiful" Then I left the mess for about an hour, I sat on the sofa with her, talked with her and within a week or so all the problems stopped. I guess because I showed no emotion it was no longer any fun. My rescue baby is just the best!

Kim would you give this to mom & kel, please? TY

I always give my dogs a small treat when I leave. They can't get to the laundry room fast enough. (they have a doggie door which leads to the back yard). I also give them another one when I get home. They are happy campers.

Our dog (cockapoo) goes nuts whenever my daughter leaves the house or car. He starts getting uncomfortable and barking as soon as the car slows down and he senses she is about to get out. As soon as she undoes her seatbelt, he starts jumping all over the seat and barking loudly. To say the least, this is extremely annoying, and we avoid taking him in the car if there's any possibility my daughter is going to get out. We've tried going to a parking lot and having her get out zillions of times and coming back in immediately to see if this helps condition his response, but to no avail. Any ideas? The only time he does NOT holler is when she leaves for school every morning. This he has apparently accepted as a non-crisis.

My daughter has a Pomeranian that haits to ride in the car. She comes to Meme's house daily and has never had a "bad" experience in the car. She shakes and frets terribly. We have tried treats, soft music, cuddly blanket. Nothing helps. I'm afraid she might have a stroke or something. What can we do?

I have heard the Thundershirt helps. Can you give any advise on it and if you believe it is worth the money and would help?

Thanks for the article! I have a new puppy and I felt that she may be suffering from separation anxiety because she likes to tear up socks, her toys, etc...when we're gone. I haven't tried giving her a treat when we leave, so maybe that will keep her occupied for a while, rathering than sitting by the window watching us get in the car when we have to go to work in the mornings!

I don't know if it is anxiety but my dog is scared of thunderstoms.What can I do to help her