Severe Separation Anxiety in my Jack Russell
My dog Molly is a 3 1/2 yr old rescue that we got from a local shelter. We've had her 5 months. She has all kinds of major anxiety issues because of her background (we were told she was in a hording situation). I've made a ton of progress with her and I'm really proud of her!
The most pressing issue at the moment is her separation anxiety. I literally can't leave my house for any length of time (she's ok being alone as long as I'm in the house). The few times I have tried leaving her she's calm but will poop or pee on the carpet. I've tried leaving her in her crate, but that just led to panic attacks when being put in her crate at night. I don't want her to associate being put in her crate with me leaving as I want her to associate being in her crate with being a safe space. She takes 4 days to calm down after being left alone (it's 4 days of anxious behaviour, i.e. panic attacks, pooping & peeing in the house, not wanting to eat or drink, not wanting to go out for bathroom breaks, etc).
My vet suggested getting a dog trainer or behaviourist, but that's not something we can afford. I tried watching videos on YouTube, but I can't do that anymore because Molly reacts badly to seeing other dogs on TV (she's ok with seeing them IRL). I feel so isolated because I can't leave the house at all. If I need to go somewhere, I need my SO to be home to sit with her. My vet gave her some Trazadone, but she'll be up pacing in her crate all night after taking it, so I only use it for vet visits (mostly getting her nails clipped).
I'm at a loss as to what to do. Any advice (but please be kind; I'm really struggling with this) is appreciated. 😊🐶
My dog Molly is a 3 1/2 yr old rescue that we got from a local shelter. We've had her 5 months. She has all kinds of major anxiety issues because of her background (we were told she was in a hording situation). I've made a ton of progress with her and I'm really proud of her!
The most pressing issue at the moment is her separation anxiety. I literally can't leave my house for any length of time (she's ok being alone as long as I'm in the house). The few times I have tried leaving her she's calm but will poop or pee on the carpet. I've tried leaving her in her crate, but that just led to panic attacks when being put in her crate at night. I don't want her to associate being put in her crate with me leaving as I want her to associate being in her crate with being a safe space. She takes 4 days to calm down after being left alone (it's 4 days of anxious behaviour, i.e. panic attacks, pooping & peeing in the house, not wanting to eat or drink, not wanting to go out for bathroom breaks, etc).
My vet suggested getting a dog trainer or behaviourist, but that's not something we can afford. I tried watching videos on YouTube, but I can't do that anymore because Molly reacts badly to seeing other dogs on TV (she's ok with seeing them IRL). I feel so isolated because I can't leave the house at all. If I need to go somewhere, I need my SO to be home to sit with her. My vet gave her some Trazadone, but she'll be up pacing in her crate all night after taking it, so I only use it for vet visits (mostly getting her nails clipped).
I'm at a loss as to what to do. Any advice (but please be kind; I'm really struggling with this) is appreciated. 😊🐶