Dog owners I need advice...
 

So the vet put my dog Jackson on Clomicalm to help with his separation anxiety. Waah it makes his tummy upset and he pukes, but he does seem a bit calmer... Has anyone used this before? If so what result have you had? I just want him to be a happy and healthy dog!

my dog has the worst seperation anxiety, he goes nuts... the solution was a dog door for starters so we don't have to shut him outside. :1orglaugh

no idea about the meds. poor crazy dogs.

BTW here is a pic of my handsome fellow!http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...0&id=616498120

Cool brindle pattern. :)

I don't know much about that product, but I wouldn't use a drug(or herb) as a substitute for training. Granted, some dogs are just going to be freaky about their master leaving, but training can make it better, if not totally eliminate the problem.

Dogs pick up on things that you do, which let them know what's about to happen. My Lab knows that when I put my shoes on, it means time for a walk. If I grab my keys also, he knows I'm leaving without him. If your dog gets worked up when he notices you're about to leave, start doing those things without leaving. Put on your shoes and stay at the house as a test. Desensitize him to the triggers(over time).

I had a Dacshund years ago that would chew everything in the house when I left(this was before crate training was popular). I started leaving for a few seconds, then come back inside. I kept doing this until she stopped going crazy and barking. Then I increased the time away from her without barking. Eventually, I could stay outside for 10, 20, 30 minutes before she would make any noise. Eventually I could stay out most of the day, because she got the idea i was coming back. Successive approximation.

It doesn't happen in one day. It's something that has to be focused on, but the reward is no more torn up couches and shoes.

Sorry for the unsolicited advice, but I wouldn't trust anything that's supposed to calm my dog without training.

the dog needs training, not drugs...

Clomicalm isn't meant to be a stand alone fix. You still need to work with him on his separation anxiety. If you continue having issues with the upset tummy, then you may just have to discontinue using it and rely on good old fashioned training. :(

He is quite the handsome guy by the way.

Oh sorry everyone I should have mentioned he did just do a doggie bootcamp for 5 weeks... No change in the seperation anxiety but he did learn some other helpful things.. This is has been an ongoing problem.. I have tried everything from clocks, sprays, training, etc

no drugs for fido please :disgust

Nice post, I have tried this but will try more... Thank you for the advice:thumbsup

put oven mitts or socks on the paws to keep from getting scratched up.

exactly!

Dead on ... Best answer you will find.

"The number one cause of separation anxiety is a human?s lack of leadership"

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/separationanxiety.htm

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Are you filming something ? :1orglaugh


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Blow weed in his face or put weed in his food

I was in Vegas two weekends ago for two days three nights. Mind you my wife and kids were here with our Shi Tzu. On Monday she threw up 12 times all over the house, carpets, my power adapter, shoes etc to show how upset and pissed off she was... lol

ahhh women....

Mark this as the one time I agree with MaDalton.

I seem to recall you posting about this. Did you attend with him?

thank you.

its like kids, people just rather dope em up than address the issue LOL

I agree with you all too. Maybe he needs more training.. I guess .. Ugg @ baddog yes I went to the sessions with him too.. He has learned some things we shall see if he can learn this..

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

Same thing with a lot of kids, but some people prefer to just put them on drugs as well.

A friend of mine who works dogs says this : "Dogs are a pack animal. In a family they quickly learn where their place in the pack is. The leader can leave the pack without issue. The rest of the pack can't"

What he means is that your dog doesn't see you as the leader or the dominate presence in the pack. You need to teach the dog that it is your world and he is living in it not the other way around. When you have established that you are in charge you should be able to leave and he will be okay with it because he now knows that it is your rules he lives by.

How you do that. . .I'm not sure. My buddy recommends either getting a good book on dog training or hiring a one on one trainer to teach you how to do this.

Do like I do . . . . leave him constantly. He will figure it out, but yeah, you must be the pack leader or you are screwed. It is better for him if you are the leader. Even Cesar says your dog does not want to be the leader.

Now I can take Buddy on cross country road trips and leave him in the car or hotel room and he does not care.

don't you have another dog? i think he will be fine if he has a friend all day. get him a pet, that is my advice :) my dog buddies up with the cat when i am out but not really during any other time. i find them in very close proximity everytime i come home. i guess it is the one time that the dog can tolerate the cat, when there is no other option hehe.

:1orglaugh You are not being the pack leader if you have to get your pet a pet.

I love my dog, anyone want a cat?

Great link on the subject. If you do all that, you should be able to deal with your dog without having to use drugs.

Maybe try something a bit better than a Petsmart training session.:1orglaugh

The biggest mistake, and right now I'm doing it myself because of my dogs old age, is treating your dog like a person and not a dog.


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Separation anxiety medication for dogs, just like for humans, can have some bad side effects. A human person would tell you whether he/she prefers to have an upset stomach or anxiety. Dogs can understand and follow many human commands, but dogs can't talk. What does the dog really want? Maybe you don't care what the dog wants. Maybe you just do not want a puke mess on the floor. I think you want to eliminate mess from puke.

http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Dog-Wha...2432530&sr=8-1

I highly recommend this book. It's all about (theory of course) how the mind of a dog works. Super interesting reading, and you'll look at your dog differently.

I would get him another dog companion or call the Dog Whisperer before putting him on unnecessary drugs. esp ones that fuck up his stomach prob make him more upset:(

Very good advice. Dogs need you to be firm, assertive and to have a routine.