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L-Theanine for stress and anxiety

Behavioral Issues

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  • Buddys PalB

    Is it Separation Anxiety?

    Behavioral Issues
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    Shaye's MomS
    With a basenji it doesn't necessarily need to be separation anxiety. They do this stuff out of boredom too. Taking him for a long walk or doing something else to tire him out could help a lot…....a tired basenji is a good basenji. On saying that, our little one didn't get better about all this chewing, tearing, etc. until we got her a companion when she was 9 months old. Worked like a charm to have another dog in the house.
  • J

    More stranger anxiety!

    Behavioral Issues
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    J
    Completely agree with you thunderbird! I'm glad to here that Malaika is doing well–there is hope!! :) . Control Unleashed has a lot of strategies (e.g. the Look At That game & hand targets) that I hope will make an impact. Keep us updated on your efforts!
  • M

    Thundershirt for anxiety

    Behavioral Issues
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    K
    When Lela was a pup, at the end of the day she could work herself into a real frenzy, running around the house, not able to stop. A real B500 and then some. Nothing worked to stop or quiet her. Then, one time, I intuitively picked her up, and squeezed her tight in my arms against my body: she instantly went limp, offer a few movements with her paws and jaws and then would collaps into a fine, long coma. I have done it many times, and it worked like a charm. So, pressure seems to help - that's what a thunder shirt would do, I guess.
  • K

    Help - Seperation Anxiety and Crate!

    Behavioral Issues
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    wizardW
    I had a foster male one time who had severe separation anxiety (his previous owners were retired during his whole life so they were always with him) and even having another dog around didn't help - they rarely played together. He was in his crate while I went to work - toys galore, special treats in a kong, calming sprays, etc. - and I did the "you must calm down before being let out of the crate" routine when I came home. My other dog was in a nearby crate so they could see and talk to each other. But he continued to try and chew his way out of the crate (I can't rebend the steel bars that he bent with his teeth and he was already 11 years old!). I tried to disappear for longer and longer periods of time to try and get him acclimated to being loose in the house but if I was gone more than 20 minutes he would start clawing at the doors trying to get out, he tore down the blinds on the patio doors, he toppled lamps trying to get out of the window. I spent money on a behaviorist - who told me to do exactly what I was doing (a waste of money she was) and after several months he started biting me if I tried to put him in the crate. He was wonderful as long as I was around but the biting became too serious an issue. I cried when I took him back to the breeder (he ended up living out his days at her kennel) but I think that there are just some dogs and people combinations that simply don't work. If after several months things don't improve (and proper training has to be a component) one needs to reconsider the situation. In this case KMac I think you are doing the right thing by seeking experienced help and things do sound better. In your case some of the problems are simply puppy behavior so maybe if you have the time and money an obedience class might be in order to help give him some structure. You might also try getting a bigger crate so he has more crate room or maybe an exercise pen so he can more around a bit more and chase his toys and release some energy.
  • KipawaK

    Kipawa and anxiety

    Behavioral Issues
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    Buddys PalB
    Uzie will do the same thing as Kipawa-dead sleep, I move, he follows. I ignore him when he does this. I luckily have two other dogs in the house for distraction/companionship, but if I leave for a long period of time, he does better when not crated. Otherwise he baroos like, like, like the loneliest Basenji in the whole world! I usually throw some kibble all over the floor of one room and leave the house. Like I said, he only baroos when crated. But for you, maybe you can try the Kibble Throw. As for the car, maybe you can start the engine, turn it off, wait, then give praise and/or kibble and start it up again until you can leave it on for a minute or so. The calming spray may help too.
  • LovingLolaL

    Separation Anxiety Advice

    Behavioral Issues
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    WBLW
    There is a light at the end, but with some dogs it can be farther away. I had a boxer a few yrs ago that had it really bad, and after lots of crate training and patients she was able to stay in her crate. She would make such horrible noises she sounded like a fog horn. And she'd pee in her crate or poop in and then step all in. IMO, I don't thing Lola needs medication. It can be quite frustrating, but biggest thing is lots of patients to train her that you will be back and it is okay to hang out by herself. Also, since she is not destructive but is pooping when you leave, make sure she gets a good walk or play session where you know she has gone potty. I'd take out the treats, that gives something to put in that must come out. You can give simple treats or things that need worked on like a kong stuffed with soemthing tastey and frozen so it'll take work for her to eat it all. Here are some links with articles on seperation anxiety. http://www.wagntrain.com/SeparationAnx.htm http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/anxiety.html http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/separation_anxiety.html