Dear Dr. Fox: I have a 13-year-old rescued dog. He has always hated being left alone in the house. Whenever I leave the house, he gets sad and acts depressed. When I return, he drools, his breathing is rapid, and his anxiety appears to be sky-high. This lasts for about 10 minutes until he finally calms down.
My landlord tells me he barks constantly while I'm gone. What can you recommend for treating his separation anxiety? - T.T., Silver Spring, Md.
Dear T.T.: Separation anxiety is a common canine problem, and there are various "cures" to try.
1. Give your dog a treat when you leave so he associates your departure with a reward. Stuff an old marrowbone or rubber Kong with peanut butter or cream cheese that's set hard in the fridge beforehand. You can also try a dog-food puzzle, such as those from Nina Ottosson or Canine Genius.
2. Leave a radio or TV on for "company" and to mask outside noises that may trigger more barking.
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3. When you come home, greet him calmly so as not to make your return such an exciting event to anticipate.
4. Try habituation/desensitization over one weekend, coming and going from your house at irregular intervals of five to 15 minutes.
5. Get a big crate with a blanket to serve as a security den. Keep the door open.
6. Try the dog pheromone DAP or put a couple of drops of essential oil of lavender on a bandana around his neck.
7. Treat him with valerian or passionflower, which this may help reduce his anxiety. The @-Eaze calming gel from PetzLife (888-453-4682) may also work wonders.
Dear Dr. Fox: We have a wonderful 10-year-old female toy poodle, Lulu. She does have one flaw, however: She gets up during the night to go out and do her business, sometime three or four times - not good for her and not good for us.
She gets fed twice a day, morning around 6 a.m. and again between 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. She is fed ¼ cup of Science Diet Small Bites along with 1 teaspoon of Mighty Dog and 1 teaspoon sweet potatoes with a little deli turkey.
During the day, she is fine for 10 hours without having to go out. She gets walked at least a mile, sometimes two, every day. We let her out before we go to bed (9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and we're up between 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m.
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We would appreciate any suggestion on how to keep Lulu from having to go out at night. - B. & J.S., Arlington, Va.
Dear B. & J.S.: Your dog is getting on in years and that can mean that she is suffering from kidney disease or diabetes, conditions that can make dogs drink more and need to urinate more.
I advise a full health checkup to rule out any physical cause for her nocturnal restlessness. If she is physically well, she may be developing age-related cognitive impairment/canine dementia that can first manifest as nocturnal anxiety.
In some instances (also in cats), there is discomfort associated with arthritis, and appropriate treatment, including a warm sleeping pad, will help. Medications such as seligiline and melantonin or herbs such as passionflower and hops can help with nocturnal restlessness.
Send your questions to Dr. Fox in care of The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo, ND 58107. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns. Visit Dr. Fox's Web site at www.twobitdog.com/DrFox .
