[Weltering]

I rescued my 7-8 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback mix two months after my hospitalization, which was two years ago. So basically, he's known me on the depressed side, but medicated and in treatment. He has always been well taken care of (husband and children do what I can't). We learned from the beginning he LOVES bread and will devour loaves if left accessible. So we purchased a bread box and solved the problem. He would also get into the trash so that was also put out of his reach.

I lost my insurance and subsequently my therapy and meds a few months ago. I have gone through hypo/manic stages including rage, high anxiety and incredible stress.

About a month ago, my daughter got a small dog for Christmas. My dog and her dog have gotten along well and have begun playing for long stretches of time throughout the day within the last week. Since they have gotten along well and there were no disturbances in the Force (he was not usurped from his place in our pack) I can't imagine it is the new dog.

The problem is that my dog has become destructive whenever I am not around him- even if I shut the door to sleep and he is in the living room. He destroys anything he can reach that might have ever had the smell of food. He has dragged out my crock pot (clean) and also clean pots and pans. Today I found a steak knife he pulled from the sink. Thank God he wasn't injured.

I know for a fact that my dogs have always been aware of my moods and sicknesses. They were always so attentive and present. Is it even remotely possible he is acting out due to my negative turn of mood? I don't know what to do besides keep him with me while I'm home and put him out while I'm gone. Which I hate to do because I don't own "outside" dogs, and never have, but he doesn't mind to be out- he often rolls in the grass and sunbathes.

I guess I'm just hoping for some feedback, or maybe someone can relate. If I didn't mention, I am bipolar AND have appointments starting next week to get back on therapy, now that my insurance should cover again.

TIA

[Webgoji]

Yup, you bet your dog is affected by your mood. Not to mention the changes in scent that accompany it. It's causing your dog to develop separation anxiety. You're his world and he knows something is wrong and then you leave and it's like "OMG!! THEY'RE NEVER, EVER, EVER COMING BACK!! THEY'RE DEAD I JUST KNOW IT!!".

1. You're on the right track getting back to therapy again and stuff.
2. There are methods of working on separation anxiety that include coming and going quickly and then for longer periods to assure your dog that you aren't gone "foreber".

Oh, and I completely agree about the "outside dogs" thing. I've never owned one and never will. My dogs are kids with fur and four legs and are cleaner than my human ones.

[ArthurDent]

I'd also suggest crate training your dog. This gives him a safe spot to call his own, and he won't be destroying your things or being left outside. He may feel that he doesn't have any spot to call "his own", especially with the new pet being there.

We had a similar problem with my son's male dog urinating and marking all of our furniture. This was after he lived here with several other dogs for over a year, and had behaved so well that we stopped crating him and put his crate in the basement.

We brought his crate back upstairs, and his behavior returned to perfect even when he wasn't crated. He just needed to know that he had "his own place".

[Weltering]

Thank you Webgoji. That's what has to be going on and I needed someone else to help me connect the dots. And yes, yes, yes he is so much easier to deal with than my human kids! Looking back, it is so obvious. He loves to be outside, roll in the grass and just soak up the sun. He'll usually hang for a couple of hours until we bring him back in. Lately though, he wants in and out, in and out. He touches the inside doorknob with his nose to let us know he wants out but recently scratches to be let back in- and back at the doorknob in ten minutes! I couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. Now it's so clear.

Thank you also Arthur. My big guy has his own place that the little guy does not invade. I can't afford a crate big enough (he's a R. Ridgeback mix, over 100lbs) right now, though. I'm going to try getting creative with the baby gates. Last resort, I can put him out back. Also, we had a very well crate trained dog the last time I was unwell and my husband (who isn't a dog person {I know, what was I THINKING?}) overused the crate. I don't ever want to repeat that . I hated seeing her slink into it when ever I was up and about because she had been confined too much.

He's my alert dog. I can't say I'm surprised, but i am so grateful. It's incredible; I've always had that connection with the rescues I've picked out (or who've found me) but this one is the first I've had since my DX and it's amazing to see the pure connection. I wish my husband could sense my mood change as well as my dog.

Thanks again.

[too SHy]

I just have to respond My mom would fly into rages and my beloved dog bolted out of the house and was killed by a car. All our animals, I believe, pick up our feelings, It wasn't the first of my mothers rages, but I sensed it was the last straw for my dog.

[zen921]

When I first got my service dog I was so nervous about taking him in public it was making him not listen to me which was just adding more stress to the situation. Then I was projecting my social phobia onto him. And I did my best to be calm and assured in public. Things changed.

I don't know what you need to do to change your moods. I know medication definitely helps. My mom and two of my siblings are borderline so I understand some about mood changes. But you can find some alternative therapy (music, yoga, walking?). Meanwhile, try getting a thundershirt for your dog. I got one for mine because it had car sickness and it worked like a dream so I bought one for the others who have severe separation anxiety and it helps.