I had a talk with my pdoc about my med treatment. I really didn't like what my meds were doing for me. She talked with me first about the fact it would be better for my mental health if I didn't isolate since I am naturally a sociable person. I told her about my dog that has extreme separation anxiety. I can't leave him alone outside (he is not the sort of dog that can be left outside) or inside without him destroying something. It is to the point now that if I kennel him he will injure himself in some way. I said it's his only quirk and I did take on the responsibility of this animal so I have to look after him. When the weather is on the cooler side he can come with me in the car. He will wait for me in the car without freaking out. I know rather odd but that's how he is. She suggested obedience training but honestly times are hard and I can't afford it. Anyway I told her I will work on it and find a way so the dog will be okay while I get out of the house more. Anyway we also discussed a medicine change. I am trying out an antidepressant that is new to the market. It's called viibryd. I am anxious about how I will react to it and how the side effects will effect me. I am hopeful though. Wish me luck with the new medication. Also any suggestions from anyone who has had experience with a dog with extreme separation anxiety would be welcomed.

[sugahorse1]

Get him a friend?
I have 2 horses that have separation anxiety. From themselves. And there 40 or so others, so they are never alone, but they go mad.
You need to look after your health!
What meds are you going onto? Hope they can help you

I do have another little dog so he is not alone. I don't understand. I think he was too young when I brought him home. That's the only thing I can think of. Anyway the new medicine is called *Viibryd. Aside from the new medicine I am also on Abilify, Lamictal and Trazadone. I really hope this will turn out to be a good combination.

[sugahorse1]

Holding thumbs!

[SunAngel]

Originally Posted by DobieLuv

I had a talk with my pdoc about my med treatment. I really didn't like what my meds were doing for me. She talked with me first about the fact it would be better for my mental health if I didn't isolate since I am naturally a sociable person. I told her about my dog that has extreme separation anxiety. I can't leave him alone outside (he is not the sort of dog that can be left outside) or inside without him destroying something. It is to the point now that if I kennel him he will injure himself in some way. I said it's his only quirk and I did take on the responsibility of this animal so I have to look after him. When the weather is on the cooler side he can come with me in the car. He will wait for me in the car without freaking out. I know rather odd but that's how he is. She suggested obedience training but honestly times are hard and I can't afford it. Anyway I told her I will work on it and find a way so the dog will be okay while I get out of the house more. Anyway we also discussed a medicine change. I am trying out an antidepressant that is new to the market. It's called viibryd. I am anxious about how I will react to it and how the side effects will effect me. I am hopeful though. Wish me luck with the new medication. Also any suggestions from anyone who has had experience with a dog with extreme separation anxiety would be welcomed.

An ex-friend of mine had the same problem with her rotweilder. The vet put him on an anti-depressant and an anti-anxiety medication and it worked wonders for him. He hated to be kennelled also and the family really needed to get away. The vet gave the dog meds. to have him not freak out and also to not bite people or going after them.

I think it is something you can look into. In fact, the anti-anxiety med. was bought at a reg. pharmacy so it was used in humans too. I forgot the name of it though.

Thank you very much SunAngel. Yeah my dog is due for his shots either later this month or next so I was going to ask our vet about it and see if meds. would be the way to go. Thank you for letting me know about how that worked for your friend with the rotweiler. It is comforting to hear how that worked out for someone else in the same situation. He is a really good dog in every other aspect. Just need to figure out a solution to the separation anxiety.

Sugahorse, I really do appreciate your input. I could always go all dog whisperer on my dog and exercise the heck out of him and then just leave for short periods and gradually make it longer....lol. Seriously though I have tried leaving him for short periods and sometimes he does ok and other times I think he hears the mailman or someone knocks on the door while we aren't home and he freaks. Anyway I think I will try SunAngel's suggestion and talk to my vet and see if meds. might help him calm down.