separation anxiety - rescue dog

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Oldred

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My latest rescue dog is upset when I am out of sight. She is a deaf JRT, 12 years old, and I try to make sure I don't do all the wrong things, i.e make a fuss of her all the time, let her follow me everywhere (although she is with me a fair bit during the day of course, on the yard etc).

She makes the most extraordinary noises (irrelevant information!) from zips, moans, sobs, yodels, aahhs and umms like she's on the phone). We have another dog but it doesn't seem to comfort her. She wants a human and pref. me. When I return I ignore her for 5 mins and even then don't really pet her much (as this would make it worse I believe).

I think she did have a bad time in the rescue home although its a good one in many ways. She was emaciated and they knew she wasn't eating but didn't do anything about it. With being shoved in there in the cold weather, and so hungry, it may have made her 'rescue' even more pronounced.

Any suggestions to help this poor little lady?
 
How long have you had her from the rescue place? It might just be that she will settle down in time, as it sounds to me like you are doing all the right things for her...

Does her distress just manifest itself in making noises? I suppose that might be just part of her (although I'm only familiar with rescue greyhounds not JRT)

Others will probably know more - esp Cala
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The thing is of course, she doesn't realise the noises she's making so although it may sound distressing she may not be feeling as bad as you think, if that makes any sense at all! Have you tried getting her a crate to settle into when you leave with something to cuddle up to that smells like you and a few treats ?
 
acolyte - had her only two weeks so, yes, still settling in and I don't want to do the wrong thing. She has had a couple of puddles when I've gone out - I think its connected to my absence.


oneofthepack - I hope she isn't as distressed as she sounds and I'm not letting it get to me or I won't be helping her I know. I haven't put her in a crate because I'm not sure how that would help her. I remember seeing a video of a dog left in a crate when the owner went out (because of destructive behaviour I think) and that put me off. If it will make her feel better though of course I will try it. Re - leaving something of mine, I'm worried that could backfire. I've had a rescue who stole my things to lie with and it became an obsession accompanied by much growling if anyone tried to take them away. This is why I'm wary of creating a new problem.

thanks for answers so far - keep them coming please
 
Try a DAP diffuser. We tried one for our JRT who was displaying anxiety symptoms (weeing in the house and barking when we went out) and he has never looked back, within two days of plugging it in he stopped weeing and he now has his "voice" back due to not barking all the time. You can buy them from the vet or any good pet shop. Well worth it in my opinion.One vial lasts approx 3 - 4 weeks depending on how long you leave it plugged in.
 
Thanks for that. I had vaguely heard of DAP so I'm glad someone has found it works. Be great if it does as my mind was starting to think..what happens when she's blind as well ad deaf?? I'll have to carry her round in a little bag so she can feel I'm there!
 
I agree with OOTP...I would definatly try a crate...they are fab for creating a secure safe place for dogs...esp rescues...we actually place them directly in the crate....and work on their toilet training and spending time by themselves....by the time we start to decrease the crate time they are actually happy to return when it's time..... as the longer you leave the crate introductin the worse they become.....we first get them accustomed to there space...which is of course the crate
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this means that fom the very beginning their access to follow is restricted, and it learns them to feel comfortable spending time alone....they can still see us and the others dog they just cannot always be with us...because with rescue dogs more so than any other will find their first contact(human) and stick like super glue
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I would get a crate and put a comfy bed in it.....get some long lasting treats, bones ,e,t,c, feed all her meals and place her beside your other dog....spend time in the same room as she is when she is in the crate....so she does not think u just suddenly dissapear when she is in it....gradually increase her time in it and decrease the time you spend around it.

Where does she sleep at bed time...as this also plays a big factor in seperation anxiety problems...if she sleeps in your room....not great, but but if so put the crate in your room...it will only need a small one so should be easy to move around....then again she is with you but in her crate...so she should not get to distressed.

Also try plugging in a dap diffuser in whereever the crate is when you leave to help with the anxiety....they release a calming pheramone.
Place a cover over the majority of the crate so she cannot always see where u are.

Introducing a crate should be done with care and gradually, they must be a positive place to be...when done so there is far less chance of them becoming distressed.

I have an elderly rescue in that I have only picked up an hour ago...as the man has died....she is now in a crate in my kitchen....she is scared and anxious...but this is the best time to crate her...as she feels secure within it and she is not making any noise....had I let her with me for the next few days..she will become attached and be far less likely to take to the crate...hope that makes sense.

Good luck
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u deserve it for reading al that tripe
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DAP diffusers are great, in fact Dante has a DAp diffuser and a DAP collar, and I think they make a difference.
 
I think that at 12 years old you have to do what ever works for the dog. And giving her something of yours - an old sweater or the like - is a brilliant idea.

I can't bear the thought of her being ignored when she so desparately wants attention from you - and sorry against all other advice - I would make every effort to reassure her and fuss her when she wants it.

She sounds needy, upset and hungry for your companionship - and I'd give her exactly what she wants.
 
Thanks CALA - I'll give it a go - though she thinks the best bed is the GSDx's huge mattress thingy and small beds don't suit her! It is interesting that of course she goes all night with no problem and is not desperate in her greeting in the morning. Maybe the elderlyness helps her - she sleeps a lot.

Amymay - hope it didn't sound like she is being callously ignored!! Just to reassure you, after the initial excitement has died down - I get her out in the garden so she can pelt round - I take her in and fuss her in the normal way when she's calm. I just don't respond to over the top behaviour - much as I'd like to. She is adored by everyone (cept maybe my other dog who she has told off a few times) and I just want her to be a normal balanced dog who can deal with the love and devotion she gets without it unhingeing her!
 
No, no I didn't take it that you were being callous in any way. It must be very confusing for her - at 12 to find herself going from a home, to a kennel, to a new home - so can understand how insecure she must feel.

I suspect that in a couple more weeks she won't be as 'needy'. But for me - it would be fuss, fuss, fuss.
 
I don't disagree with thre fussing...but it is very important to introduce a routine....this is a primary reason we get dogs returned or handed in, in the first place as people don't establish a managable routine, be it an older dog or puppy the most important thing is to make the sitution manageable for the owner esp....as the home will be short lived if the person can not deal with the problems arrising...not that Im saying the OP will part with the dog but others would.
 
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