Clomicalm?

[Christine76]

Does anyone have any experience with this med for their dog?

I was given this for Maggie at the vet on Tuesday for separation anxiety. We just got her on Saturday so I was hoping to wait it out and that it would improve on its own.

She HATES her crate. She is 40 lbs and I struggle to get her in it. She has toys in there, from what I can tell it is the right size, but she goes into panic mode in it, whining, barking, tail going a mile a minute, etc.

Other than this, she is a mellow dog, but I really want to know she is content when I am at work. Should I go ahead and start the meds, or continue to wait it out? Or do you have any other advice? Help!

[Cearbhaill]

Meds are IMO a worst case scenario after all training and behavior modification efforts have been exhausted.
I'm surprised they didn't refer you to a veterinary behaviorist.

[AtomicSkies]

for crate training you have to either wait her out until she gets used to it or try a different method...can you gate her in one room like a kitchen? unless she is causing herself some sort of physical harm i think medicating her should be a final option

[Dogstar]

I will be honest, this doesn't sound like separation anxiety. Does she injure herself trying to get out of the crate? How does she react when left alone out of her crate (behind a gate or in an x-pen)? This sounds like a training issue.

Meds can make a HUGE difference in dogs with some behavioral problems (particularly anxiety ones) but I don't think I'd try them without consulting with a behaviorist (or a really good trainer) first.

[Christine76]

Originally Posted by AtomicSkies

for crate training you have to either wait her out until she gets used to it or try a different method...can you gate her in one room like a kitchen? unless she is causing herself some sort of physical harm i think medicating her should be a final option

See, my husband thinks she will be fine in just the downstairs. However, I don't know if I'm comfortable with that yet because she's not entirely accident-proof, and while she is very VERY calm and easygoing when we (specifically me) are sitting right there with her, she is a NUT when I'm not in the room. Seriously. I left her downstairs with my husband (same as if she's by herself) to just take a shower and she was also whining, crying, and about to beat down the doors.

[AtomicSkies]

Originally Posted by Christine76

See, my husband thinks she will be fine in just the downstairs. However, I don't know if I'm comfortable with that yet because she's not entirely accident-proof, and while she is very VERY calm and easygoing when we (specifically me) are sitting right there with her, she is a NUT when I'm not in the room. Seriously. I left her downstairs with my husband (same as if she's by herself) to just take a shower and she was also whining, crying, and about to beat down the doors.

thats why i suggested a kitchen...most are tile floors so accident clean up is easy...the best thing for separation anxiety is to not coddle and just slowly train that you will in fact come back...its a slow process...some dogs never take to crate training but most will if they learn that throwing a fit will get them nowhere

[weezyNollie]

Can you tell us what you have tried so we don't repeat ourselves?

I know in the other thread there have been recommendations such as kongs, an article of clothing of yours for scent, TV/Radio, etc.

[Christine76]

I tried the Kong, with and without treats. She doesn't seem to care for it. She prefers softer toys, and I am going to find her a new one, maybe a rope toy. She tore up her stuffed dog toy. I put a pair of PJ pants that I had worn, she tore those up. And she is not destructive otherwise. TV doesn't help. If it does help, its minimal.

I would consider the pheromone spray if I could find a bottle that was less than 50 bucks.

[weezyNollie]

Have you tried crating for small amounts of time?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=13043

They are selling it for 34.99

[Christine76]

Our Wal Mart just revamped their pet department since a week ago. Go figure.

I found calming spray and tablets for less than 10 bucks each. I am going to give them a try. My boss pointed out that I may not want to give her any mood-altering meds with small kids around.