Do you give your dog Valium?

[DancesWithCurs]

Yes I have tried that. I introduced it to her per the instructions when you buy it. But when I went to actually use it for the first time, she freaked and ripped it off in the first couple minutes. Thank goodness I was able to get my money back!

Ouch! Thank goodness indeed. Well let's get to the root of the issue. What exactly does she freak over? When does she start freaking? What exactly does she do during the freak outs?

@Unoriginal: Whoops, didn't see that. After I shove these allergy drops in them I can't see right for like half an hour XD

[_unoriginal]

Ouch! Thank goodness indeed. Well let's get to the root of the issue. What exactly does she freak over? When does she start freaking? What exactly does she do during the freak outs?

@Unoriginal: Whoops, didn't see that. After I shove these allergy drops in them I can't see right for like half an hour XD

No worries.. I've read posts where I miss entire paragraphs

It sounds like the dog has just straight separation anxiety.. Which, IMO, can be worked through without drugs.

[Mimi's Mischief Mama]

Ouch! Thank goodness indeed. Well let's get to the root of the issue. What exactly does she freak over? When does she start freaking? What exactly does she do during the freak outs?

@Unoriginal: Whoops, didn't see that. After I shove these allergy drops in them I can't see right for like half an hour XD

For the record I wouldn't have yelled about anything, I haven't even been using ! like others have :) Some are just taking my frustration with other issues out of context.

She doesn't like it when I leave. She has always been one to sit at the door waiting for me to return, whether someone is home or not. I think she has gotten better about it when my husband is home, she might not do it when he is. Also in the car. I am very fast at things I do, running in and out, but she has chewed up 3 seat belts if it has gone longer than she prefers. The main pattern I would say I notice is that she is alone and it's for an extended period of time, maybe 2-3 hours (not in the car that long though! lol).

So she has chewed the seat belts, she tries to shove her face and body through her crate, so I don't like putting her in it and won't unless I COMPLETELY zip-tie it for safety. But I don't leave her crated anymore so that's neither here nor there. In the house she just goes for the blinds, it literally looks like she is frantically pulling and tearing at the blinds to try to look out the windows. Plants in windows have also been ruined from this.

I don't leave very often, and when I do it's usually not for very long but on the off chance I run more errands than planned, or plan to be gone that long but don't pull up the blinds...well, I might come home to some ruined window treatments :\

The main reason for my question is because I feel bad for her. I have really bad anxiety and tricks and training only go so far, so I just feel for her and was wondering about it.

[DancesWithCurs]

When she's freaking out for any reason and you are there, do you pet her or hold her to try to calm her down? And you'd be surprised. Some good consistent training goes really really far with anxious dogs. My Shepwieler used to absolutely wreck the house his first month or so there. Steady training got him out of it

[Mimi's Mischief Mama]

When she's freaking out for any reason and you are there, do you pet her or hold her to try to calm her down? And you'd be surprised. Some good consistent training goes really really far with anxious dogs. My Shepwieler used to absolutely wreck the house his first month or so there. Steady training got him out of it

This doesn't happen when I am home. The only reason I have even seen what she does is because I have recorded her while I was gone once or twice.

People mention training here...what kind of methods are used because by now she should know I am coming back, I always do. I did a little of the 'leave for 5 mins, leave for 10 mins, leave for 15 mins' stuff about a year ago. I also heard not to make a big deal about your return, which I stopped doing unless she was a good girl, then I give her lots of 'good girl' pets. I truly think she knows that I am looking for proof of bad behavior when I get home, so I praise her if that doesn't happen.

Most of the time, she is good. Most of the time. There are still those bad days sometimes, but if I leave her un-crated she seems to be OK unless, like I said, I am gone for a longer period than usual. So, basically, what would I do to teach her not to be afraid, and to stay away from the windows...

-OH and also, in terms of her freaking out when I am there...literally, she doesn't. I have gotten her temperature taken, her vaccines done, vet visits, and she was exceptionally well-behaved. She was even a wonderful girl when we had to take her to the hospital to induce vomiting because some idiot left rat poison out by my townhouse. But then again, I am always with her. She has only recently decided she didn't want to leave my side to get her anal glands done, which I found weird because for a year now she has been fine about it.

[DancesWithCurs]

Well first off I made sure my dog had things to play with that I know he liked to play with. Kongs with peanut butter and bones were his favorites, but whatever works for your dog works. I didn't make a big deal about leaving, just got my stuff, put him where he was supposed to go with his stuff and left, starting with small increments at first then increasing them. He also didn't get full run of the house and IMO neither should any dog that does damage. He was typically closed off in his comfy space

[Mimi's Mischief Mama]

Well first off I made sure my dog had things to play with that I know he liked to play with. Kongs with peanut butter and bones were his favorites, but whatever works for your dog works. I didn't make a big deal about leaving, just got my stuff, put him where he was supposed to go with his stuff and left, starting with small increments at first then increasing them. He also didn't get full run of the house and IMO neither should any dog that does damage. He was typically closed off in his comfy space

I tried the toy and PB thing, she has access to all her toys, I don't make a big stink about leaving, started with the increments, etc. She only has full run of the house because we are in a town house. There is no where to close her off unless it's in my room, or in her crate. Both of those would end horribly. I'd rather her destroy blinds than my entire room, and I know she'd be 10x more scared if I locked her in my room for 2 hours.

[Krista]

Oh sorry, I didn't know that's why she was taking benadryl for allergies. Sorry. :o

[destinoscelgo]

I tried the toy and PB thing, she has access to all her toys, I don't make a big stink about leaving, started with the increments, etc. She only has full run of the house because we are in a town house. There is no where to close her off unless it's in my room, or in her crate. Both of those would end horribly. I'd rather her destroy blinds than my entire room, and I know she'd be 10x more scared if I locked her in my room for 2 hours.

Why not try a plastic crate instead of a wore crate? I would be worried of her getting a blockage from chewing things personally

[kady05]

I didn't read all of the posts, but I know a few dogs that have been prescribed Valium or Xanax for anxiety. My parents Lab & brothers Lab have been taking it (Valium) as needed for years with no ill effects. You need to go get the dosage from a vet though, so you don't overdose your dog.

[Cynthia]

I have a dog that takes Xanax for storm phobia. And Xanax as Valuim are in the same drug family. So yes Valuim is safe for dogs. HOWEVER talk to your vet about proper doses.