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Neutering to reduce anxiety?

Behavioral Issues
  • KanangaK

    @renaultf1:

    This is a link that I found pretty interesting on this topic. BTW, I'm not advocating one way or another…I just found this article interesting.
    http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

    My only opinion on this matter is this: as much responsibility as it is to have a pet - period, it is even that much more responsibility to have an intact animal…especially when it comes to making sure that it doesn't get free and isn't allowed to roam or run unsupervised...

    That is one of my sources of information.

    Precisely.

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  • agilebasenjiA

    I do believe there is a way to chemically neuter your dog that is not a permanent thing. This might be worth a try if you're really wondering if neutering would change him. Of course I don't have any information on this, but i'm sure if you google "chemical neuter" something would pop up. And you'd probably have to travel to find a vet who is savvy about this.

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  • P

    Kananga - when I leave my dogs alone in the house I use a CD on repeat. The CD is called 'Relaxation Music for your Dog'. It is very effective in keeping them calm. I think I got it from Crosskeys. The producers are Omnibus Media and their web address is www.musicsales.com I can also endorse the Dap which I have found effective in calming my dogs when necessary.

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  • KanangaK

    @Patty:

    Kananga - when I leave my dogs alone in the house I use a CD on repeat. The CD is called 'Relaxation Music for your Dog'. It is very effective in keeping them calm. I think I got it from Crosskeys. The producers are Omnibus Media and their web address is www.musicsales.com I can also endorse the Dap which I have found effective in calming my dogs when necessary.

    Interesting. You know the long drive back I had when I initially picked him up (2 hour drive home) I had classical music playing which really put him into a deep sleep on the car ride. Ever since he's always calm around that same music.

    I should give that a try. :D

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  • KanangaK

    Day 1 was an interesting test. I did not expect any results for at least a few weeks.

    I came home, nothing was moved, he had a big smile on his face, and he was extremely mellow when I was taking him outside. Normally he seems a bit distracted outside, but today he was just easy going. Actually got a bit vocal with me outside (few roos) which I have never had him do on a short walk.

    We'll see how the next few weeks go. :D

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  • KanangaK

    Proof of the big smile (he only does this when he's had a long walk, so it's the first I've seen with no walk):

    It's strange, he is acting differently. But in a good way. :D

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  • QuercusQ

    @Kananga:

    Day 1 was an interesting test. I did not expect any results for at least a few weeks.

    I came home, nothing was moved, he had a big smile on his face, and he was extremely mellow when I was taking him outside. Normally he seems a bit distracted outside, but today he was just easy going. Actually got a bit vocal with me outside (few roos) which I have never had him do on a short walk.

    We'll see how the next few weeks go. :D

    Day one of what? The DAP?

    Andrea Walters

    Quercus Basenjis

    NW Ohio

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  • KanangaK

    @Quercus:

    Day one of what? The DAP?

    Yep. It's been on for about 24 hours now.

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  • BasenjimammaB

    wow, that Dap is something else. I will keep my fingers crossed that it keeps up.

    Petra

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

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  • agilebasenjiA

    D'uh, music, of course. don't know why i didn't think of that. i've taught several control unleashed class and night one i recommend several cu compatable things, one of which is:

    http://www.throughadogsear.com/

    I have the book/cd combo and i assure my students that the cute basenjis on the cover had nothing (well, almost nothing) to do with me checking the book out from the library, which I later bought.

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  • P

    Kananga - glad that the DAP seems to be working. If you do decide to go with the CD.
    I checked and they are still available on crosskeysbooks.com - click Dogs-Dog Therapy CD page.

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  • YodelDogsY

    While I agree with the reasons others have mentioned in favor of neutering, I am not convinced your dog's anxiety is hormone related. Personally I think continued use of the DAP along with some serious exercise to get rid of some of his tension would be the best route to take at this point. Another thing is to never make coming home or leaving home a big deal. I don't know how you handle either but many people make the mistake of "working the dog up" with a rousing goodbye or hello and this builds excitement or anxiety in a dog. If you are calm and give off good vibes the dog should pick up on this and it may help calm them also.

    Robyn Dubbert

    Sherwood Basenjis

    One thing that I have learned in life is to accept that things are not all black or all white. Life is shades of gray and just because someone sees a different shade of gray than you do, it doesn't mean their shade is right or wrong, its just different. ~ Robyn Dubbert

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  • tanzaT

    Good thoughts Robyn… and that is true... the less you make out of coming and/or going the more they will think it is not a big deal... Mine rarely would get out of bed in the morning when I left for work..gggg and if they did, they would then go beg Dad to put them back under the covers....

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • KanangaK

    I'm pretty good about leaving. I simply walk out the door without saying anything. This morning I noticed he didn't even run to follow me out. Normally he was running to stop me, today that changed. I never heard him run after me.

    Coming home he's always fairly calm. I do tend to give him attention when I get home but its nothing over the top. He'll simply walk over to me and wait for me to pet him. Doesn't jump or show any hyperactivity.

    Perhaps I'll work on the coming home part. He does get plenty of exercise. He gets minimum about 45 mins worth of walking time on a daily basis. On top of that he'll get a 30-60mins walk at least a few times per week. He sleeps well and maintains a good weight.

    Oddly enough his stools appeared firmer today. I find it hard to believe the DAP is already taking effect within 48 hours. I expected a few weeks before any results.

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  • KanangaK

    I know its only day 2, but he is improving very well. (i'll wait another week and give you guys an update)

    I figured I should note this on the 2nd day though…

    His stools are increasingly firmer, his dander has reduced immensely to almost none now, he is much more vocal outdoors now (previously very quiet), destructive habits are non-existent still on day 2, and he is generally more relaxed.

    I'm quite amazed at the progress only on 2 days now. It has been aprox. 48 hours since I originally plugged the diffuser in.

    I can only hope things continue like this. I much appreciate the recommendations on the DAP. :D

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  • KanangaK

    Well, it's been about a week now. Not a single piece of furniture has been chewed on. And I still have that small tear in my couch near the top that is easy access for him to pull out the stuffing (until I get it repaired and sealed). He has not attempted to unstuff that part.

    It seems the DAP diffuser is working. Can't think of any other reason why his behavior would discontinue.

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  • N

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  • wizardW

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    @sharronhurlbut: Re car rides, this is going to sound odd, but it does work for me and my 2 dogs. Even if you have walked your dogs before a car trip, I find the excitement of the "get into the car" and going makes there guts act up. So, here is what we do. We take the dogs a lot on vacation when we go by car. We walk the dogs in the am, feed and water. Get them into the car. Drive about 2 miles and stop and let them out to walk. Both always pee and poo when we stop. Once back in the car, they settle and are quiet. About a hr or so into the ride, they start to get "ACTIVE" again…we stop at a rest area, they go, and then they sleep the rest of the way. Could be the excitement of leaving home, the motion of the car or whatever, but these stops, even tho you want to get going...make the trip much easier on all involved. Give it a try. All you can lose is a bit of time... Sharron…I've had friends use that method as well...so I think you (and them) are on to something. Wizard...It is a tough road, separation anxiety. I never had much success with the DAP - spray or plug-in...and I used both for about half a year. I finally gave up on it. Although, my vet and the pet store I bought it at said they knew of people that had had success with it. Good for you for working with a behaviorist...they definitely will have better ideas about things to try. The second beastie was the golden ticket for Ruby though...and seriously, I've found that 2 b's are so much easier than one. So much so that I'm thinking of adding another either this year or next...and for that I might need my head examined.