[Briannalucas]

My friends boxer goes into panic every time she wants to leave the house. It's one and a half year old now but seems to be getting worse with separation anxiety. It barks excessively, goes on to chew and destroy stuff in the house and has sometimes even messed in the house. She's tried changing routine but it isn't working. How can one help?

 

[Lindar51]

My friends boxer goes into panic every time she wants to leave the house. It's one and a half year old now but seems to be getting worse with separation anxiety. It barks excessively, goes on to chew and destroy stuff in the house and has sometimes even messed in the house. She's tried changing routine but it isn't working. How can one help?

Is her dog crate trained? That would eliminate the destruction/messing in the house. I would leave a radio/tv on or even a sound machine. Some type of noise thats in the house when she is home. Never say goodbye to the dog or tell it your leaving. Leaving should just be part of an everyday routine. Maybe go out one door and come back in another. Again don't greet the dog by saying Hi I'm home etc.
I have found over the y ear the dogs have anxiety because 1. they don't know how to remain alone in their crate. 2. People make a fuss over the dog when they leave the house or come home. 3. then there are dogs that just stress
Perhaps the vet can even put the dog on medication to help . Personally I'm not a fan of medication but dogs like this end up in a shelter when the owner can't handle it anymore.
Well thats just my 2 cents.

 

[4paws]

^ great advice....


A crate would be for the best... I'd hate for them to have to rush their dog to the vets because it has partial obstruction.

 

[chip18]

Aww gezzz ... first Lindar51 outlined it pretty well. And she also listed the least effective" but most likely option for "most" owners struggling with this issue ... go to the vet and get a "Pill" to "Fix" my dog.

Unless the dog is a rescue ... then the owner ... created this problem?? "If" that is the case ... they have had the dog since "puppyhood" then there is a lot they need to know.

Lesson one ... would be ... "Crate Train" your dog. If one starts with a "puppy" then "Crate" Training is an option. If one has a dog with "issues" whatever they maybe ... then "Crate Training" is a necessity.

But the thing is "you" don't need to know that ... your friend does ... and they are not "here." So you know ... what you are "trying" to do is "extremely difficult."

Top level pros and we have them on the GSDForums and one or two here also. But ... they have "friends" with badly behaved dogs ... and certainly ... friends of mine with "seriously" badly behaved dogs ... should at least be able to walk them properly? But they "don't ask for my help" and I don't offer. It's just the way it is. But I don't know maybe your friend is different??

If they "actually" want to fix" this ... they can do it themselves (I belive) but it would take a lot of effort. None of it "difficult" per say but yes ... a lot of work to be done. The incessant barking for one ... that needs to be stopped "Cold!" leash corrections if the owner is on sight or a proper "Bark Collar if the dog does it all the time. And a proper bark collar looks like this ...

Leerburg | Dogtra IQ No Bark Collar

Not the Citronella crap, the scent lingers (for the dog) long after it goes off and the dog does not make/keep the association with "barking???". So by and large your best options to help them ... would be to get them "here" or failing that ... suggest a "proper" Board and Train facility.

Aww well ... a lot of "background" info ... I tend to do that but ..."you" need to know that what you are "trying to do" convince someone that they should ... "Do this" to fix their dog. Is extremely difficult can't help people if they don't want help.

But to answer your question directly ... getting it done properly fixing SA would look like this.:

http://www.boxerforums.com/behavioral-issues/181570-separation-anxiety-shut-up-dog.html

Not much in the way of input on here?? But on the Germanshepardforum ... that "Pro" I mentioned (that would be Baillif) ... is here. :

Separation anxiety = Shut Up Dog!!! - German Shepherd Dog Forums


So yes as you see ... it's a lot of "stuff" the best thing you could do to actually help them is to get them "here" first as I see it.

 

[Briannalucas]

Reading from you Chip 18 i think she created the problem. She has been crate training for the longest time now. I also noticed that she makes it a big fuss when she's leaving the house. Anyway you are right. I'll recommend that she joins a forum. Would be great to see her get all the help. Also i think it has to come from her wanting to change the whole situation. Thank you all, appreciate.

 

[chip18]

I know necroposting is frowned upon, but I’ve had a 4 year old boxer with a similar issue as well, so I thought I’d share. I always wanted a boxer cause they just seemed super cool to me so me and my girlfriend decided to get one from a shelter. We return home and she is super chill, we let her run around in the backyard and there is no doubt in our mind that she is friendly and won’t cause problems… until we started bringing guests over. Now if it was just two to three people, then no problem. Any more than that, however, and she would start hiding behind the couch or start barking.

necroposting .. well I have not heard that term before but I get it. Now it makes no difference to me but the argument is that people see an old date on a thread and don't bother with the threat cuz well it's old.

But I say ..."Whatever." As you say the dog is 4, My first question is how long have you had her??? Oh and Welcome Aboard. And how is she on leash on walks??

 

[glionameghan]

Exercise can help some boxers cope with separation anxiety, but it is important to not overdo it. Daily exercise, and things like sniff walks (a walk while you let your dog sniff), hiding toys or treats for them to find, or using a flirt pole can give your pet the right physical, and mental stimulation

 

[chip18]

Aww well, while "Exercise," is important?? That kinda, "Presupposes," that only the "lazy," have issue's with "Separation Anxiety," with there dog's??

That is a "False Assumption," and S/A is a "Dog," issue not a "Boxer Issue." And those that think "Exercise, Cures All," are "Doomed to Fail," if they happen to run across the "Wrong Dog." Happens all the time ... just saying.