New dogs next door - My dog is freaking out

[Betty]

Since we moved here a few months ago, the house next to use has been vacant. A family moved in a few days ago and one my dogs is just freaking out about it. He traditionally is, how should I put this, a d!ck to other dogs for the most part. He's a little chihuahua that has no sense of self preservation.

Letting him out in the yard means both dogs bark and bark non stop. In the house Rocky just can't seem to let it go. He stares out the front window and cries and barks, goes to the door and acts fairly neurotic.

Any suggestions on how to get him to 1. stop temporarily so I have some peace and 2. help him adjust so he can have fun outside in the yard. ???

[Ghoulish Delight]

It may or may not be possible if he really really can't get along with other dogs, but the best solution would be to find a way to actually introduce the dogs to each other and give them time together.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Really long walks and work on socializing him to other dogs. Introducing the dogs to each other is probably a good idea, so I second it.

[bewitched]

Xanax. Seriously.

Or, get an original Kong, fill it with yogurt (or peanut butter) and freeze it. It's like Xbox for dogs.

[Not Afraid]

Sleepytime Tonic (http://www.happytailsspa.com/site/Doggie-Prozac.html)

Pet Naturals Calming Chews (http://www.vitacost.com/Pet-Naturals-of-Vermont-Calming-for-Small-Dogs)

Rescue Remedy (http://www.rescueremedy.com/)

[Betty]

Thanks for all the tips. He seems to have mellowed a bit now that they've been there for a few days. We'll have to keep working on it.

On the kong toy - do you fill the whole thing up with peanut butter or yogurt or just the end? Are those dishwasher safe?

[Not Afraid]

You can fill the entire King with something yummy and keep him occupied for hours. Add in one of the holistic remedies I mentioned above and you have a great distraction that will also take his anxiety down a notch.

Kongs ARE dishwasher safe.

[bewitched]

I fill it about 1/2 to 2/3 full so it's harder to get out.

I believe that Rescue Remedy's main relaxing ingredient is alcohol...you could try the old time remedy for birthing stress of adding a teaspoon of booze to a bowl of broth (or mixed in w/some food).

[Not Afraid]

I fill it about 1/2 to 2/3 full so it's harder to get out.

I believe that Rescue Remedy's main relaxing ingredient is alcohol...you could try the old time remedy for birthing stress of adding a teaspoon of booze to a bowl of broth (or mixed in w/some food).

The pet version I have used on clients' dogs is alcohol free. I'm not as familiar with this product as I am with the others that have additional ingredients besides bach flower essences. Alcohol is toxic to dogs. I would never recommend giving alcohol in any amount to a dog (or a cat).

I have used both the other remedies I suggested and have had great results with Kimchi, who can be just a tad high strung.

[bewitched]

While I would never advocate copious amounts, alcohol is toxic to dogs in the same sense that it is toxic to humans (and, being much smaller dogs can only tolerate small amouts). Many mainstream and "natural" calming products contain alcohol as one of their main ingredients, including this one (http://warreneckstein.com/store/buycalmdown.html), which is sold by many vets (it is 13% alcohol).

I have worked with rescue groups (including currently having 1 foster and one dog that I kept after fostering her for several months) and in shelters, my grandfather bred pugs, my mother bred rotties, my sister shows and trains champion agility dogs (you can catch her on tv at the national championships next month--YAY Jenn!!). I only say this to point out that I have extensive experience with dogs. I am in no way advocating anyone allowing their dog to get "drunk" nor am I advocating regular dosing. Having said that, I stand by the fact that a mild dosing is a tried and true old-time remedy.

Having said all of that, when I have had doggy anxiety issues, my doggy psychologist (http://www.apdt.com/conf/archive/2006/speakers/bio_hunthausen.aspx) has always prescribed Xanax combined (in a few cases) with an antidepressant and/or behavior modification training.


Oh, and I would never give alcohol to a cat-- they metabolize it differently (as they do many things) and even very small doses can be deadly.

[bewitched]

If the barking continues, despite your best efforts, you could try a citronella collar (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751019). I have never personally used one but I know several people who have with great results.

[Not Afraid]

Xanex works too, as does anti-depressants. Personally, I would try the other methods first before going the prescription medication route. It seems in this case to be a temporary anxiety situation rather than a long-term one where Xanex would be a solution.

I use Sleepytime Tonic with Kimchi with great results. It just eases her anxiety enough so that she can concentrate on the behavior modification training I want her to focus on. It is like a cup of chamomile tea for my dog. I like the fact that I've been able to help her ease out of her constant state of anxiety while she regains trust in humankind.

I'm not a fan of citronella collars, but I have pugs and they aren't the best solution for brachycephalic breeds. I also have a dog where the prior solution to barking was to de-bark. Dogs bark. That's how they communicate. Debarking burns be up.

Now, cutting the vocal cords of a toddler, I may be up for. (I'm KIDDING!)

[bewitched]

There was just an article about debarking in the nyt. I agree, extremely inhumane.

Citronella collars aren't for everyone (or every breed). If they are set on sensitive, they can often inadvertently punish the dog when another dog barks near them. As with all behavior modification tools, they are most effective when combined with training.

In rereading my post, I meant to say my doggy psych uses Xanax (with or without an antidepressant) and/or behavior modification. (As opposed to always prescribing Xanax...which is how it sounded). Nonetheless, Xanax has worked wonders in some of my dogs.

As an aside, my mother swears by both Rescue Remedy and Calm Down! Personally, I have just never seen noticeable results, but of course, YMMV.

[bewitched]

BTW,

I reread my post and realized I came across kind of bitchy. I wanted to let you know that while I respectfully disagree, I didn't mean to be a bitch about it.

[CoasterMatt]

Socialize them, away from their "home" turfs- that's helped us quite a bit with our dogs and neighbor dogs- but we're lucky enough to have neighbors that would be up for doing that.

[Not Afraid]

BTW,

I reread my post and realized I came across kind of bitchy. I wanted to let you know that while I respectfully disagree, I didn't mean to be a bitch about it.

No problem. As with child rearing, dog training is filled with a myriad of ideas about what is best for the dog. I tend to have and/or see better results using "holistic" (such an overused term) treatments and would prefer to go that route first before adding other drugs. My work at Pussy and Pooch also enforced that as I became more familiar with other effective treatments.

The most heated debates I have gotten into involve feeding. I'm a raw food feeder and I won't feed kibble to my dogs at all. If I could get my cats eating raw, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I am not opposed to classic veterinary treatment using prescription medications. However, I tend to think that we rely on pills rather that treating the cause (and I feel the same way about human medications). But, I like to keep my tremendous vet bills at a low roar and a raw diet for the pugs seems to achieve that.

[Morrigoon]

If the barking continues, despite your best efforts, you could try a citronella collar (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751019). I have never personally used one but I know several people who have with great results.

I like the citronella collars. It doesn't hurt but it's unpleasant enough that even the threat of "the collar" is enough to quiet my dogs down. Though I think half the "punishment" of the collar is having to wear it. Bark collars are a bit on the heavy side and I'm sure they don't appreciate having a heavy box at their throat. Then again, like I said, the mere sight of it is enough to get my dogs to cool it.

[Betty]

What is "raw food" for dogs? Do you mean actually raw food that hasn't been cooked or just not commercial dog food?

Our little Mousey girl - small chihuahua - doesn't seem to eat much at all if she gets commercial dog food - wet or dry.

I've been throwing some chicken into a pot to cook in water and then shredding that and mixing it with some rice and whatever frozen veg may be in a bag (carrots, peas, potato, whatever.)

She eats that right up.

My bigger chi, Rocky, has seemed to gain weight on dry dog food. He was very svelte when we fed him the high priced little packages of wet food - but it seemed pretty expensive and he often woudlnt' eat it all and it would go bad, attract ants, etc.

What do you feed your little doggies?

[CoasterMatt]

What do you feed your little doggies?

Even littler doggies :evil:

[Not Afraid]

I feed prepared raw nuggets to my kids. I go between brands of Nature's Variety (http://www.naturesvariety.com/raw) and Primal. (http://www.primalpetfoods.com/) The nuggets are a pre-mixed with the meat, veggies and supplements with no added by-products and, importantly, no grains. It is fed defrosted and raw. Both brands come in little one ounce nuggets and in a variety of protein sources. I vary the protein source on a regular basis for variety, nutrition and to keep the likelihood of allergies to a minimum.

I've fed Thurston raw since he was 6 months old. When I got Kimchi, I started her on raw right off. Within 6 weeks her coat had gone from Brillo Pad to super soft and her ear and wrinkle infections were gone.

I choose a raw diet because of my experience pet sitting. The dogs that were fed raw had fewer health problems - especially allergies, weight problems - than dog that were on other types of food. Since I've learned more about pet nutrition, it makes sense. It is the most nutritious form of food with no fillers or extra added stuff dogs don't need. I've now seen some amazing changes in dogs that have switched to raw.

I have a few clients and friends who prepare their own raw formula, but I don't have that kind of time so the prepared raw is my next, best choice.

[Snowflake]

Don't mean to derail the dog thread, but NA's mention of raw diet for dogs makes me wonder about Tango. Tango has been on dry food since I brought her home. She needs to be on a more restrictive diet, even with "indoor formula" she's still putting on weight. My vet suggested wet food. Well, she will have none of that. Is there a reliable and healthy raw food for cats?

[Betty]

NA - why no grains?

When I'd read online what to prepare it had said a mixture of meat, grain and veg with a supplement in there. The website was probably more of a collection of recipe type of thing then an official dog nutrition website though so I'm guessing I was misinformed.

[mousepod]

I'm with NA. Since we started giving Primal and Nature's Variety to our pets, they've been healthier and happier.

Lately, we've been feeding them the Organic Chicken from Nature's Variety. They love it, and I feel good giving it to them.

[bewitched]

Don't mean to derail the dog thread, but NA's mention of raw diet for dogs makes me wonder about Tango. Tango has been on dry food since I brought her home. She needs to be on a more restrictive diet, even with "indoor formula" she's still putting on weight. My vet suggested wet food. Well, she will have none of that. Is there a reliable and healthy raw food for cats?


I'm not NA but I believe Nature's Variety makes a pre-made raw diet for cats as well as dogs.

In general, I really like NV's products. I usually feed their Prairie brand kibble (with 2 40+lb, 1 20lb and 80lb dog, pre-made raw is cost prohibitive and I really don't have time for homemade) and I really like the results I see. They also have an in-between product, Instinct, which is a grain free kibble. I've only used it with my cats though (who refused to have anything to do with it).

[Snowflake]

Thanks Whitney, I just took a look and see it. I've got to find the pet place in SF that carries it. It's worth a try. My little Tango is not so little and quite the butterball these days. Still adorable, but I do not want a diabetic cat.

[Not Afraid]

Donna, Primal has a formula specific for cats. Cats are more difficult to convert to raw, however. You have to sort of mix it is with their regular food in incremental amounts. Another great raw food for cats is by Honest Kitchen. The cat version is called Prowl and it is a dehydrated raw. HK is a really convenient brand of food and it is as cost effective as kibble. Nature's Variety raw is for both dogs and cats. They make a very high quality dry and canned under the brand Instinct and a lesser, but still good kibble under the brand Prairie.

NA - why no grains?

When I'd read online what to prepare it had said a mixture of meat, grain and veg with a supplement in there. The website was probably more of a collection of recipe type of thing then an official dog nutrition website though so I'm guessing I was misinformed.

Some of the most common complaints that dog owners have about their dogs has to do with hot spots, itchy skin, allergies and ear infections. Most of these things are symptoms of an allergy - usually to grain. Corn and wheat are most often the culprits and, wouldn't you know it, these are common items used as fillers is many commercial dog foods. Corn husks generally don't add any nutritional value to dog food but they make great - and cheap - fillers. If you remove the grain from a dogs diet, these symptoms often will clear up.

The other common cause of allergies is Chicken. Why? Because dogs are fed the same food every day for years and the most common (and cheapest) dog food protein is chicken. I always vary the protein source I feed my dogs so they are less likely to develop an allergy to a singular protein.

Grain free food is usually more expensive BUT you need to feed less to get the same amount of nutrition you get in twice as much food that contains lots of fillers. For me, I'd just rather spend the money on good nutrition and save on my vet bills.

[Snowflake]

Donna, Primal has a formula specific for cats. Cats are more difficult to convert to raw, however. You have to sort of mix it is with their regular food in incremental amounts. Another great raw food for cats is by Honest Kitchen. The cat version is called Prowl and it is a dehydrated raw. HK is a really convenient brand of food and it is as cost effective as kibble. Nature's Variety raw is for both dogs and cats. They make a very high quality dry and canned under the brand Instinct and a lesser, but still good kibble under the brand Prairie.


Lisa, thanks for this. I see they have a sample so I can test it out. I'll hit the local pet emporium that carries it and get some to rehydrate and mix with her kibble. She's such a snoot, she'd be happy if I fed her nothing but shrimp which is her treat of choice.

[Not Afraid]

Both Primal and Honest Kitchen have trial packs. HK also has travel packs that aren't very expensive. You can even contact HK and they will mail you a sample of Prowl.

[Snowflake]

Both Primal and Honest Kitchen have trial packs. HK also has travel packs that aren't very expensive. You can even contact HK and they will mail you a sample of Prowl.

Well, a pet shop near me carries Prowl, I will call them to see if they carry both and if so, if they have the samples. I'm going to be down that way this weekend.