Hello its Chillidog again... with Ralphie new behavior. Went to vet and there no ear infection, and suggestion an antiey pills, which we canot afford. Does anybody know of the drug-cloninpin--which adults take for anxiety.. he also suggested we leave the bedroom door open and let him roam around the house, and when he is feeling less scared, let him come up to the bedroom... and hopeful;ly this will pass...
Thanks all for your support,

chillidog::)

Human drugs act in a different way in canine bodies. It is not a good idea to give the dog a prescription drug meant for a human without the input from your Vet. Certain "human" drugs ARE prescribed for dogs and your Pharmacist will know the correct dosage.

Don't just hand the pill to the dog.

Please.

Definitely don't give the medication to Ralphie, you don't know what sort of effect it will have on him.

There are very few human medicines that can be given to dogs and they should only be given after your vet has given the OK.

I was a little confused about your question though...
Is he having problems with separation anxiety or just generally being anxious?

No, he is just being anxious--a character flaw that his has never exhibited before.since the neighbrhood fireworks of 07/04
Thanks for your advise... we did something a little diffeent last night and it seemed to help in tiny tiny bit.. we left the bedroom (where he sleeps) door open longer, and I took him out to pee--like, 3 times, and when it was lights out, I closed the door, and he paced--rthen he fell asleep in his "regular" corner

chillidog:)

I'm glad you got him to sleep relatively easily.

The fireworks seem to be a popular topic lately, a lot of dogs are having anxiety problems because of it.

Does he seem more cautious about certain areas like the backyard? Or just anxious everywhere?

Best you can do is just keep perservering, he may re-adjust to his routine over time, just remember to be consistent.

Try giving him a special treat at bed time so he associates going to bed with a positive reward.

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Originally Posted by chillidog

no,, he is just being anxious--a character flaw that his has never exhibited before.since the neighbrhood fireworks of 07/04
thanks for your advise......we did something a little diffeent last night and it seemed to help in tiny tiny bit..we left the bedroom (where he sleeps) door open longer, and I took him out to pee--like, 3 times, and when it was lights out, I closed the door, and he paced--rthen he fell asleep in his "regular" corner

chillidog:)

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Oh, this is good news. I have a very similar problem. I have a somewhat strange (to put it mildly neighbor) who HATES squirrels. Last Fall she got the idea to shoot a squirrel which nests in a tree in my backyard from her backyard. My German Shepherd is the only GSD I've ever had who was NOT afraid of loud noises. When she shot the rifle my dog absolutely panicked and I've had problems with her ever since.

The only place she's comfortable when there is a thunderstorm or firecrackers is either in the bedroom with the air conditioner running (believe it or not I have central air and purchased a window unit just for the bedroom so she would have someplace to hide) OR the master bathroom, under the countertop.

And my neighbor - the Police ticketed her for shooting a rifle without a license, shooting too close to homes, reckless endangerment. I didn't call the Police - someone else in the neighborhood did.

I'm so glad you're working through this with the dog - so many people are impatient and end up punishing the dog.

Let us know what works for you - I'd love to pick up a couple of tips for my dog.

Thanks for your answer. A treat is a good idea, so is leaving the bedroom door opened longer--we would leave it open all-night, but we have a special needs young adult like likes to know Ralphie is LOCked away. After we take care of this "quirck", we have a new issue... :D.

Cd

Chilidog, I've just got to ask you how old you are - ?

I see people under legal age on these boards and they are usually jerks. I am most impressed by the way you post questions, answer questions, handle yourself. For whatever reason I thought you were young but, as I said, I am impressed - and I hate it when "kids" post on the board.

So - let us know how things are going.

Hello Judy: thanks for your comments.. I might tell you, I am way over 18, and way older than yourself. I cannot think of anymore ways to comfort my 3 year old; and we are going away for our 20th anniversary in 30days.. then, for sure separation anxiety; but they know the farm we bring them too, and maybe she can work with Ralphie... cd

Hello JUDY... and thanks

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Originally Posted by chillidog

hello Judy: thanks for your comments..I might tell you, I am way over 18, and way older than yourself. I cannot think of anymore ways to comfort my 3 year old; and we are going away for our 20th anniversary in 30days..then, for sure seperation anxiety; but they know the farm we bring them too, and maybe she can work with Ralphie.....cd

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Be sure to take ID because I personally think you can pass for underage.

Mixed news - good news and bad news.

And happy anniversary - 20 years. Wow.

(I have no idea why I thought you were a "kid." My spidey senses must not be working properly!)

Haha Judy.
My mum types pretty much the same way, she's nearly 50.
Hasn't quite grasped the idea of typing with more than one finger and never says more than she needs to ;)

Good luck with Ralphie, I hope you can get him a bit more comfortable in his surroundings soon so you can enjoy your anniversary!

Mmmm. Would Ralphie be more content with a radio on low or a ticking clock? It helps puppies.

How about a reverse baby monitor. Put the speaker part in Ralphies room and the transmitter in your room, so he can hear the squeaks etc.

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Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

Mmmm. Would Ralphie be more content with a radio on low or a ticking clock? It helps puppies.

How about a reverse baby monitor. Put the speaker part in Ralphies room and the transmitter in your room, so he can hear the squeaks etc.

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The clock and the radio are good ideas.
I'm unsure about the baby monitor though, while it is good in theory it might make him more distressed being able to hear them but not being able to see them.

Just to refresh the question I posted. Ralphie sleeps in our room, cuddled under my side of the bed.. As I have said, we have a special needs young adult who is terrified at R, and won't go to sleep unless our door is closed. Then because its been so hot, we live in SoCal, after Alex falls asleep, I go open his door. What my husband has suggested, is that we just leave our bedroom door open, and when R feels more secure, he will eventually come back and cuddle in his old position... thanks, everyone, keep those suggestions coming.:D

Judy you are a riot--take ID--my kids are 23 and 24, and I just retired from working 42 years.. guess from that!
Have a good weekend

Cd

Missed that. Would a baby gate help rather than a closed door then or something as odd as a bedroom door with a big screen and a shade for privacy.

That way you get air and the dog can't get out, but will it satisfy the dog and the child?

Hey there that's a good idea--except R weighs almost 80 pounds and the "baby" gate wouldn't last a m inute-thanks--keep them coming.

Cd

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Originally Posted by chillidog

hey there that's a good idea--except R weighs almost 80 pounds and the "baby" gate wouldn't last a m inute-thanks--keep them coming.

cd

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The baby gate I have is pretty high, if you trained him not to jump at at then it is a possibility.
Or you could even make your own, before we bought the proper one we had a segment of a puppy pen across the doorway (Ours is just before our front door so guests don't accidentally let the dogs out)

It could go over either your bedroom door or Alex's. You can easily make it appear solid too just with some fabric or cardboard.

A long time ago when I had a dog and we had a porch, we made a redwood gate for the back door to the porch. Was sort of like a screen door, but only about 3' high and the openings were big. It had a turn latch and self closing hinges.

Bedroom doors typically open toward the room. This gate could be arranged that it opened out an manually latched.

Some of this stuff might work:

Baby Gates - Babies"R"Us