New dogs next door - My dog is freaking out
 

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. ???

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.

Xanax. Seriously.

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

Sleepytime Tonic

Pet Naturals Calming Chews

Rescue Remedy

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?

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.

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.

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, 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 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.