Separation Anxiety? Worrying? Why now...

[LauraLeigh]

Diamond is 12, she's never had any issues with SA or being overly worried...

The last while she has, we can no longer crate her ( We have been ever since she went blind because her nose gets her in trouble ) when we leave, she pants barks and works herself up, and can't hold her pee until we get home anymore... My daughter told me its so bad she lets her out and brings her down to her place for a bit, but that's not a good option daily because she has to be watched very closely with Kolby...

We've taken to checking the house over well, and closing all the bedroom/ laundry/ and bath doors when we leave, she seems to do much better when left with that level of freedom but still howls and fusses...

It's strange to me because she's never EVER had issues with SA, until the last few months... And never had house training issues... Though that could be partly her age...

Anyone ever had an older dog develop SA?

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

It can be a sign of dementia I think. :-/

 

[stardogs]

Maggie got much more thunderphobic in her last year, so anxieties can change as their senses change. A thundershirt worked wonders for Maggie - might be worth a try.

 

[elegy]

It is, unfortunately, not that uncommon for dogs to develop issues like that as they age. I do think it's related to Old Dog Brain.

I don't know how you feel about medication, but it might be worth talking to your vet about.

 

[Renee750il]

The Thundershirt might help, and perhaps Rescue Remedy?

 

[LauraLeigh]

Ok I have to ask? What's a thundershirt? And I'll look into rescue remedy...

 

[Renee750il]

http://www.thundershirt.com/?gclid=COidgoy5orMCFUKd4AodJDIAtg

 

[stardogs]

http://www.thundershirt.com/ - They are soft shirts used to provide steady, calming pressure to anxious dogs.

 

[PWCorgi]

I LOVE Thundershirts and while it doesn't work for all dogs, it is definitely worth a try. I still use Frodo's when he is having a rough day and it does make a huge difference.

 

[spiffy]

Owners would wonder why a well behaved dog would suddenly manifest unwanted behavior whenever it sees the owner leaving or when it senses that it is alone in the house. The dog would bark excessively and would appear to have forgotten its toilet training. The well behaved dog can even be destructive. Young dogs suffer from separation anxiety but SA is more common in older dogs. Neurological changes that occur in older dogs is one of the reasons why they manifest signs of SA. A traumatic incident like a severe thunderstorm could have occurred while the dog is alone. The dog may be seeking the reassuring and comforting presence of the owner because it has an underlying medical condition. Vision and hearing loss associated with aging will hamper the dogs ability to cope with the daily routine.

Vets usually prescribe anti-anxiety medication but patience, love and positive reinforcement can reduce the pet's panic attacks.

 

[Bailey08]

Definitely agree that anxiety can come with age, and that it can change over time (e.g., SA, noise phobia).

Poor baby -- that is no fun at all.

 

[Barb04]

I have a thundershirt for Peanut which calms him down when there are storms. He actually comes to us as soon as he senses a storm and wants his thundershirt put on. They come with a 30 or 45 day money back guarantee so maybe give it a try. If it doesn't work, at least you can get a refund.