Seperation anxiety getting worse, please help!

[bluebluecow]

We got our Lhasa apso when he was 2 and have had him nearly 2 years. He came from a home with another dog. He has always had separation anxiety since he's been with us. When we first got him home we tried to leave him in the kitchen to sleep at night but he used to go mad: barking, howling and scratching on the doors. We gave in and since we've had him he's slept on his bed in our bedroom. He has always followed us around at home. For example when I am at home on my own he will follow me to the toilet, kitchen, garden etc. It is extremely annoying but we are used to it. Whenever we are going out he starts to shake but that's all. Over the last two weeks while we are out he has been going mad. He's been in every room up at the windowsill knocking over pictures and lamps. Today he got in my daughter's room, pulled her curtains and rail down and broke her lamp, pulled her quilt off her bed and chewed some of her toys. She will be heartbroken when she gets home from school. As I said before he has always showed signs of SA but has NEVER behaved like this when left alone. When it first happened I thought we must have had some kind of earth tremor that had made everything fall off the sides as I couldn't believe he could do such damage. He goes for regular walks, has a large garden, regular meals and a family that love him but this behaviour can't go on. He will be worse if locked in just one room I am sure so I really don't know what to do. Please help!!

[Lilcamper]

Get him a thorough check up with the vet, if medical issues are ruled out request a referral to an APBC behaviourist.

[bluebluecow]

Gosh, i didn't think it could be anything medical. Whats an APBC behaviourist?

[Lilcamper]

It's always advisable to get a vet check for any behaviour that has suddenly escalated and the vet can then refer you on. Your insurance may well cover you for the cost of a behaviourist with a vet referral

APBC

[moosemama]

The check up is just to make sure there's no medical reason for his SA getting worse, sometimes behaviour can change due to the dog feeling ill or being in pain, even though it's not obvious to the owners. You will also need a vet referral to access APBC behaviourists.

An APBC behaviourist means that they are a member of The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and as such use only positive methods of training and behaviour modification.

If you have pet insurance it's worth checking, as some will cover a certain amount of behavioural sessions if you go via your vet and have a referral to a suitably qualified behaviourist (as in APBC).

It's worth checking if there's been something going out outside your house that has caught his attention. Any of the neighbours have a new cat, nesting birds, road works, new dog being walked past the house regularly etc, as that could explain his focus on the windows, although focussing on doors and window is quite common with separation anxiety.

If you want to get your head around why he's behaving the way he is I'd highly recommend Nicole Wilde's book Don't Leave Me.

Separation anxiety can be a tough nut to crack, but a lot to reduce his anxiety and help him relax and and it can significantly improved through intensive, consistent work.

[moosemama]

Cross posts.

Lilcamper is always so much more succinct and to the point than me!

[Lilcamper]

You covered the bits I didn't moose in a tag team stylee

Not succinct and to the point...normally hurried and harassed!

[moosemama]

Just noticed my typing error in the last paragraph - should read "a lot can be done to reduce his anxiety ..."

I'm cross posting with everyone this afternoon.