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The doghouse

Moved house and dog suffering with separation anxiety

8 replies

Weatherforducks · 20/07/2019 16:52

We moved house a week ago, everyone is a bit frazzled (apart from the kids, who have seen it as a big adventure). I don’t think the cats are impressed and the dog is driving me insane.

She used to suffer from separation anxiety when we first got her, but as soon as she knew the routine all was well, for a long time. She was happy to be left for short periods of time.

This week she has been weeing in certain rooms whilst we are there (this seems to have stopped a little now and we are getting good at shutting doors where it’s likely to happen). But I can’t pop to the shops for 30 minutes without her barking as soon as i’ve shut the door and weeing whilst i’m out.

Will this pass? Is there anything I can do to help? Apart from being annoying having to clean up wee all the time, it’s clear the poor lass is in some distress, any suggestions?

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BiteyShark · 20/07/2019 18:08

I have read that moving house can trigger SA in dogs.

I think I would go back to basics with everything Including toilet training. Maybe try and find a space that's small and den like and put her bed in there and start to build up leaving her for 1 minute at a time until she feels safe again.

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Weatherforducks · 20/07/2019 18:31

Thanks @BiteyShark I think I may have to do that. She is an absolute gem and I feel so much guilt about her distress.

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Bananarama12 · 20/07/2019 18:35

Moved 3 times with mine. I give calming herbal tablets before move and after, leave for a few minutes every day building up to longer times.

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Weatherforducks · 20/07/2019 18:55

What are they called @Bananarama12? I’m kicking myself really, because I put so much effort into prepping the kids (they are adopted), and I just didn’t think the pets would have too much of a worry. She’s been really farty as well, so I assume that’s another sign of anxiety.

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AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 20/07/2019 18:56

Moving triggered an aversion to visitors in my dog. I thought it would sort itself out - it didn't.

After 6 months I got a behaviourist in and tbh I should have done it earlier. Go back to basics a bit with combating the separation anxiety, and if there's no improvement in a couple of weeks contract an APBC or CCAB accredited behaviourist before it becomes an ingrained behaviour

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Weatherforducks · 20/07/2019 19:21

Thanks @AvocadosBeforeMortgages I will take note. I know that a good dog behaviourist is worth every penny (we had one when we first got her). And to be honest, I’m my mind (as you can see from my first post) I was thinking ‘this will be ok’. Right back to basics it is and I will call on an expert if it doesn’t seem to be working. I’m a bit frazzled too which I bet is transferring to her.

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user1471465525 · 20/07/2019 20:43

Adaptil plug in and collars help reduce anxiety in dogs .

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Weatherforducks · 20/07/2019 21:38

Thanks @user1471465525 I will look into them too.

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