Here’s an introduction on how to help a dog with separation anxiety.

It is important to eliminate all the real possible causes for your dog’s digging, excessive barking and chewing. Executive Dog Training can definitely help you with how to break your dog’s separation anxiety. All you have to do is to contact me, Jeanette Vockerodt, on 072 479 8103 or go onto Executive Dog Training’s Contact Us page and fill in all your detail so I can give you all the information you need.

It is vital to ensure you eliminate real possible causes for your dog’s behavior such as the following:

When your dog is digging excessively in your garden, your dog has probably spotted a mole – If you see a raised path leading to the excavation site. Deal with this mole or any other small rodent or mammal problem in your garden.
Please do not use poison! Any poison used is harmful to your dog!

When your dog is chewing everything or barking excessively make sure it is not because of boredom or frustration

Eliminate all possible Medical issues such as PICA = is the instinct to eat non-food items. The cause for PICA is nutritional deficiencies.

Feed your dog good quality and nutrient-filled dog food!! Some dogs chew things in order for them to vomit which then relieves the discomfort of gastrointestinal issues – Especially when the dog started his chewing behavior suddenly.

The above are not real symptoms of separation anxiety but rather symptoms of boredom and frustration. Dogs can be very disruptive and destructive when left alone because they are bored and also looking for something to do. These dogs usually do not appear anxious but rather need mental stimulation.

We can define separation anxiety when dogs become very upset and anxious because of separation from their owners. This trigger of separation sets off a multitude of other dog problem behaviors.

Separation Anxiety is a psychological distress the dog experience when left alone for long periods of time, with or without their families/owners present. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety are in a constant state of emotional conflict and stress.

A dog can start to show some symptoms of separation anxiety the moment their owners prepare to leave. If this is not handled, separation anxiety can develop and kick into full swing.

For more information about curing dog separation anxiety quickly click on the following links below and read my articles. In these articles I give you valuable information on some of the symptoms you can look out for which might be indicators that a dog is suffering from separation anxiety:

Why is my dog digging holes all of a sudden?
Some dogs dig at doorways or underneath gates when separated from their owners in order to escape from the area where they are confined. These behaviors can result in self-injury.

How to stop your dog from chewing things when left alone
Dogs with separation anxiety usually can turn to chewing in an attempt to self-medicate in order to ease their anxiety. Have you ever seen that sweet and “guilty look” when you asked your dog:
“Is this YOU who did this?” Your dog does not understand what you are trying to ask him. Your dog is merely showing his belly, turning around, tucking his ears backwards and tail between his legs because he is fearful. What your dog is communicating to you with this “guilty face and look” is actually FEAR and not guilt.
Your dog is totally submitting to you and is scared that you would harm him. Your dog experience fear of punishment = Please don’t beat me.

Excessive Barking or Howling
Dogs vocalize in response to various unfamiliar sights and sounds in their environment. But dogs with separation anxiety bark and howl only when their owners are not at home.

When helping a dog with separation anxiety, Executive Dog Training’s goal is always to best resolve the underlying anxieties.
Watch Executive Dog Training’s very happy and satisfied client reviews here

The big question is: is there medication for dogs with separation anxiety?

My dog and I . . . . . we popping the same pills.

Did you know that “antidepressants for dogs” are the same as “antidepressants for humans”? Or should I rather say “antidepressants for humans” are the same as antidepressants for dogs”? Whichever way blows your hair back. Is this for real?
Is the only difference a name on a label i.e. humans/dogs/animals? But surely one cannot start humanizing dogs or any other animal for that matter right? Is the only difference perhaps the way it is written and marked on the actual label or talked about to make it sound so different, but yet, it’s the same? “Antidepressants for dogs” “antidepressants for humans”.

Here are some of the antidepressants for dogs:
Buspirone
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Clomiprane

These drugs prescribed as antidepressants in humans alter the body’s serotonin. Which in turn alter mood, behaviors, awareness of pain, appetite, body temperature, movement and the function of the lungs and the heart. Serotonin is a chemical, a neurotransmitter, which is found in the nervous system and works in the brain.

Giving these kinds of drugs to pets isn’t risk-free. Just as with humans

Now let’s look at what these drugs take out of a dog when more than one type of prescription “pet medications” are given to a dog. The result is a condition known as SS = Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin Syndrome come on very rapidly in dogs and can lead to death if not caught in time.
Here is how Serotonin Syndrome can be triggered:

“Dog antidepressants” are given in excess
Other drugs are used such as amphetamines, fentanyl, chlorpheniramine, lithium

There are many types of antidepressant medications but the most common are:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s)
Tricyclics (TCA’s)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI’s).

1 out of 10 poisonings in dogs are caused by antidepressant drugs such as:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s)
Tricyclics (TCA’s)
Momoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI’s)
Novel Antidepressants

Here’s a very interesting finding. The very same prescribed so called “antidepressants for dogs” also do have a warning for when dogs might accidently ingest these “antidepressants for humans” . . . . or is it now for dogs. I do understand they probably mean when it is ingested more than daily prescription or perhaps that is just another word altering phrase to make us all feel better.

Just in case your dog has ingested “antidepressants for humans” by accident, here are the danger signs and symptoms to look out for:
Please note that some of these symptoms are the very same behavior you actually want to medicate in your dog by giving your dog the so called “antidepressants for dogs” or is it now “antidepressants for humans”?

Abnormal heart rhythms
Agitation
An inability to urinate
Bluish tinge to skin and mucous membranes
Coma
Confusion
Constipation
Dangerously low body temperature
Depressed breathing
Diarrhea
Dry mouth
Enlarged pupils
Fever
High blood pressure
Involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyes
Lack of coordination
Lethargy
Low blood pressure
Metabolic abnormalities
Nausea
Seizures
Sudden muscular contractions
Vomiting

SSRI
Ataxia
Extreme weakness
Hypertension
Seizures
Tachycardia
Tremors
Vomiting

TSI
Abnormal heart rhythms
Aggression
Anxiety
Death
Depression
Disorientation
Dyspnea
Hypotension
Lethargy
Mydriasis
Pulmonary edema
Rash
Seizures
Swelling of tongue
Tachycardia
Tremors
Hives
Vasodilation
Vocalizing
Vomiting
Weakness

MAOI
Arrhythmias
Coma
Depression
Fever
Hypotension or hypertension
Respiratory depression
Restlessness
Seizures
Shock
Tachycardia

Novel
Seizures
Tremors

SSRI
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Nefazodone (Serzone)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Trazodone (Desyrel)

Tricyclic
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl)
Protriptyline (Vivactil)
Trimipramine (Surmontil)

MAOI
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Selegiline (Emsam)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Novels
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Here is my personal experience: 100% of all my training which did not work was when dog owners did not implement what I gave them to practice AND when dog owners were not honest and open with me informing me about their dogs being on some kind of an antidepressant or behavior-modifying drug like Methylphenidate, also known by the brand name Ritalin “for dogs”.

These dog owners thought the easy way out or a quick fix for a certain behavioral problem in their dogs would be to just to pop a pill and all would be cured.

But strange enough, now I was sitting in front of these dog owners! Could it be perhaps because these dog owners themselves realized and experienced and truly know that popping a human psychoactive drug is one of the most terrible things humans could do to their dogs when they don’t like their dog’s behavior?

I experience 100% of dogs on Methylphenidate and antidepressants could not concentrate and follow commands properly for a long period of time and they truly lack their own happiness. These dogs I found to be very moody and started to become aggressive and easily irritable.

Their minds were everywhere truly lacking the ability to concentrate. But was this pill-popping not to cure it? In some cases the dog owners themselves told me the dog’s behavior became worse after pill-popping these drugs and that is why they called me in and why I was now sitting in front of them.
I cannot even imagine how hard it must be when the dog cannot speak their minds. But if you listen carefully, you will hear what your dog is telling you!

When last did you take your dog for an hour walk?
Or perhaps only the thought of taking your dog for a walk causes your stress levels to sky rocket through the roof. I can help you! Find out all about it here .

How can I help you?

Jeanette Vockerodt
Your Dog Trainer
Contact Me