Anyone try Composure for separation anxiety?

16 years ago

I tried doing a search, but the GardenWeb search engine appears to have run out of gas.

I posted here a couple of times about my friend's large adopted dog, Mikey, who has separation anxiety. It's not going well at all. My friend has become a hostage to the problem, not leaving the house unless required by work. Fortunately, this isn't required more than a couple of times a week. But Mikey freaks every time.

He escaped from the crate by bending it. He destroyed window screens while trying to jump out the window. He poops. He pees. He gnaws on door frames. It's a shame; he's a lovely dog otherwise.

The pheromones had no effect. I heard of drops called Composure. They're available online, but I don't know if they're something that's taken every day or only on an as-needed basis. The latter would be nice, at least if the product works. Does anyone know about it, or have other suggestions?

Thanks!

Susan

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Comments (8)

weed30 St. Louis
16 years ago
For a problem this bad, your friend might consider Xanax. It reduces anxiety, unlike ACE, which just drugs the dog.
spiritual_gardner
16 years ago
The first thing I need to ask is why you are doing the research instead of your friend. When you have a dog, responsibility should be yours for seeing to its needs, unless your friend is unable to, which of course is a completely different issue. If you are the one working with the dog, there is a disconnect because the creature is not yours. Also, knowing what type of dog Micky is would help. If he is a mutt, knowing what the mix is would be helpful.

Exercise is another thing. The dog must be worn down to the point of collapse with games at least twice a day. If he's exhausted, he will sleep most of the time when no one is home.

Aside from that, was a heavy duty type crate used? The one I have is made for a Great Dane and there is no possible way my 90 pound pup can bend or destroy it. If a heavy duty wire type crate is not an option, one that is heavy duty plastic, should do. Its of they type that is used for transport on planes etc. Getting Micky crate trained is simply a must. Nothing else you do to help him will matter. To get him in the crate, toss a treat in while he stands next to it, then say go home every time he does it. Then praise him like he is a really good dog. When he is crated, after only a few minutes, return to the crate, praise like crazy and give Micky a treat. Increase the time he's left by a few minutes each time. That way, he will know you are always coming back. Time can be increased only very little or he will panic wondering where you are.

I don't think I need to tell you this is a serious issue. The dog probably has been traumatized before your friend came along, and is completely traumatized when he leaves. If things are not brought under control, a very serious accident is going to happen, which will force a decision no one wants to make.

I suggest contacting the rescue operation where the dog came from. Tell them what is going on and ask for help. If they cannot offer any, tell them you need a referral you can consult with. Keep making contacts until you find someone locally who can help your friend.

This situation is going to take tons of time and commitment to correct it. Things have gone on way to long for Mickey and people dealing with him. It's not fair to either. Mickey is looking to his human as a dog, and thus, for guidance. If his humans don't make the incredible commitment to help him, they need to consider finding him a home where things will be more pleasant.

If you think about the dogs situation as it is, you essentially have a large puppy on your hands. It poops, pees, etc., just like a pup would that is a few weeks old. I think a good starting point would be to treat Mickey like a one month old pup. That means researching everything you can find about pups. Of course this is just my opinion, I'm sure some will disagree with me, some will agree. At least this gives your friend a starting point.

Good luck!

SG
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spiritual_gardner
16 years ago
I agree with using some sort of sedative initially, however, this is not a permanent fix. A vet should also be consulted.

Additionally, other things I mentioned need to be done to correct this problem.

SG
alisande
Original Author
16 years ago
SG, I'm not sure why you felt the need to ask why I'm doing the research unless, of course, you are concerned that I care more about the dog than my friend does. That's not the case at all. I'm asking on this forum because I have a computer and because I often hang out on GardenWeb and have gotten much valuable information here. My friend and his dog live a distance from me, and I've only seen Mikey twice. But if I can help in any way, I want to.

My friend has consulted a vet and followed her recommendations (pheromones, crate) with no success. He paid a trainer to come and evaluate the situation, and understandably ignored the guy's suggestion to buy a collar that delivers a shock whenever the dog barks. An appointment with another vet is coming up soon, I think this week.

The crate was metal, heavy duty and expensive. I saw the area that was bent open and can't imagine how Mikey got through it. It looked way too small to accommodate his size. It seemed to me like a dangerous situation.

Mikey is a mutt, adopted from a shelter that doesn't have the best reputation. His lineage is unknown, but he looks to me like he could have some Great Dane, some Mastiff . . . I don't have the best eye for that sort of thing unless the resemblance is obvious. Mikey loves other dogs and is afraid of cats. He pretty much ignores deer and other wild animals on the road. He likes people of all sizes. He's four years old.

Thank you for taking the time to address this. I will certainly pass along your advice to my friend.

Susan
cynthia_gw
16 years ago
For separation anxiety, clomipramine or amitriptyline may be effective when combined with alone training. The dog needs to become used to being alone gradually and these drugs are supportive but will take 3 to 4 weeks to 'build up' and show an effect, and alone training is critical to success. The dog needs to learn to be alone and can't be medicated forever. Patricia McConnell's 'I'll be Home Soon' is an easy to read booklet of alone training exercises.

Your friend can talk with her vet about combining one of these meds with alone training. If she isn't willing to do the work (it is work) then the drugs shouldn't be used alone. (Xanax is a short term anti anxiety not the best choice for this issue, though it may intially be used situationally in combination with the training and the clomapramine or amitriptyline for SA.)
cynthia_gw
16 years ago
Just remembered a good link for the alone training.

Here is a link that might be useful: SA - Alone Training Exercises
alisande
Original Author
16 years ago
Cynthia, that's a wonderful link Â thanks so much!
spiritual_gardner
16 years ago
At the risk of offending, this situation has been going on for some time and is only getting worse.

It sounds like your friend does not have a great desire to fix the problem. Yes efforts have been made, but nothing has happened to bring things under control. If your friend has all of the time on his hands you say he does, he needs to make Mikey a full time project. This means tons of work every day for months and months until things improve. It also means dropping what you are doing instantly to help the dog when he is in mischief to help him gain confidence.

Not having a computer is no excuse for letting this mess get so out of control. There are numerous outlets already suggested that can and will help, but the effort by the human in charge of the dog must take the responsibility. I think you are a well meaning person, you are just the wrong one to fix things because you are not working with the dog.

This is all I have to say on this one.

SG

Anyone try Composure for separation anxiety?

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weed30 St. Louis

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Anyone try Composure for separation anxiety?

Comments (8)

weed30 St. Louis

spiritual_gardner

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alisandeOriginal Author

cynthia_gw

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alisande
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