Distraught about Chandler

Dawn, I don't have anything else to add to what everyone has said, but I am thinking of you and hope that things get better.
 
Oh Dawn, I'm so sorry your having these problems with Chandler.

I have know quite a few herding dogs who had displayed such behaviors when the owner left, it is part of the herding instict to not let the pack break up. It could also be seperation anexity. Unfortunately you can not rule out organic problems in Chandler's case.

I think the gate is a good idea. Gate him off in a different room and give him a stuff kong like Siliria suggested. Do this while your getting ready 15-20 minutes before. Do not talk to him or say anything other than putting him in the room. Start varying your departure cues. For example pick up your keys and don't leave. Put on your shoes and don't leave, put on your coat and don't leave. Since you say he starts the behavior as soon as he knows your leaving. You have to make it impossible for him to know your leaving. Practice this randomly during the day too. Be unemotional and boring.

On your return home, ignore him for about 5 minutes. Say nothing and don't interact in any way. When you let him out,don't pet him or talk to him at all for another 5 minutes. If you need to take him outside do that but be as bored as you can. That why you coming back is no big deal.

If he panics ignore him competely. Walk at away. If he goes to bite you, tell him off but not directly, turn your back on him and yell. He needs to know this is not proper. The biggest thing is to never comfort him when he panics.

If the behavior is getting worse unfortunately , you may need to consider that a brain tumor is behind it. :( Prayers and good thoughts.
 
Maybe he is confused and scared about being alone but once alone forgets. This might sound strange and not work but could you make video of yourself so he hears you? So you kind of leave but stay then when you do leave you were not there so .... Not sure that made sense but that is the best wording I could come up with.
 
Justicemom said:
I think the gate is a good idea. Gate him off in a different room and give him a stuff kong like Siliria suggested. Do this while your getting ready 15-20 minutes before. Do not talk to him or say anything other than putting him in the room. Start varying your departure cues. For example pick up your keys and don't leave. Put on your shoes and don't leave, put on your coat and don't leave. Since you say he starts the behavior as soon as he knows your leaving. You have to make it impossible for him to know your leaving. Practice this randomly during the day too. Be unemotional and boring.

On your return home, ignore him for about 5 minutes. Say nothing and don't interact in any way. When you let him out,don't pet him or talk to him at all for another 5 minutes. If you need to take him outside do that but be as bored as you can. That why you coming back is no big deal.

If he panics ignore him competely. Walk at away. If he goes to bite you, tell him off but not directly, turn your back on him and yell. He needs to know this is not proper. The biggest thing is to never comfort him when he panics.
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Thanks, Dr. Shelli.

A lot of this I was trying to figure out how to explain and couldn't quite come up with the right descriptions for what I was seeing in my head - so I left it out and went with the basics.
 
I've never really had a problem like this before. Somebody is always home at my house. So it is a very rare occassion for either of the dogs to be left at home alone.

On a completely different note though - have you recently had a tetnus shot? If not you really might want to consider getting one. I got one right before Smudge came home, and boy am I glad that I did. He nommed and chewed on me more times than I care to mention when he was a puppy. :rolleyes2:
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles with Chandler. I don't have any advice to offer (but what I'm reading here sounds really helpful!), but I'll agree that he's lucky to have you, an owner who's willing to do what she can to help him work through his issues.
 
Justicemom said:
Oh Dawn, I'm so sorry your having these problems with Chandler.

I have know quite a few herding dogs who had displayed such behaviors when the owner left, it is part of the herding instict to not let the pack break up. It could also be seperation anexity. Unfortunately you can not rule out organic problems in Chandler's case.

I think the gate is a good idea. Gate him off in a different room and give him a stuff kong like Siliria suggested. Do this while your getting ready 15-20 minutes before. Do not talk to him or say anything other than putting him in the room. Start varying your departure cues. For example pick up your keys and don't leave. Put on your shoes and don't leave, put on your coat and don't leave. Since you say he starts the behavior as soon as he knows your leaving. You have to make it impossible for him to know your leaving. Practice this randomly during the day too. Be unemotional and boring.

On your return home, ignore him for about 5 minutes. Say nothing and don't interact in any way. When you let him out,don't pet him or talk to him at all for another 5 minutes. If you need to take him outside do that but be as bored as you can. That why you coming back is no big deal.

If he panics ignore him competely. Walk at away. If he goes to bite you, tell him off but not directly, turn your back on him and yell. He needs to know this is not proper. The biggest thing is to never comfort him when he panics.

If the behavior is getting worse unfortunately , you may need to consider that a brain tumor is behind it. :( Prayers and good thoughts.
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I'm so sorry I didn't see this post sooner!

You've done such a great job with Chandler and his many issues, you are such a great Mom to him.

The baby gate and Kong are what I was going to suggest too. My girls go crazy for peanut butter or something with a little garlic sprinkled on it. If you freeze it first it will take him longer to get through it too.

Spinal stroke happens fairly rarely and I've read that its even rarer for it to occur twice, so its unlikely that you can do any damage to his spine.

Maybe the time as come to to accept that he might possibly have brain cancer, with would change his personality or the way he acts. I'm not saying to give up on him or think about having him put down. Instead of trying to find ways to make him well, maybe you should instead focus on making his last days happy, however many there might be. If walking down the street with him makes him distressed, maybe you should discontinue walks and instead play in your yard or at a local park.

You, Chandler and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
To everyone thank you so much for your response,suggestions and support. I've been reading your posts throughout the day but haven't had time to sit and address you all.
Rachel, Chandler and your parents dog do sound very similar. I feel Chandler's has always been a combination of herding instinct and anxiety. Through the years I have done the get back,sit, and as soon as I turn my back he's up again so the easiest way to get out was throw a cookie up the hallway and walk out. I should have been more consistant. His behavior this last month has switched from anxiety/herding to more aggressive when I leave that's why I think it is more health related. I'll try and be more assertive though thank you.

Ronna,He has been very clingy always on the couch or bed with me and follows from room to room. Where before he would be in the same room but sometimes under the table or a chair not constantly right next to me. I do always leave the TV on when I leave so maybe he just doesn't like my choice of programs and is protesting. :rolleyes2:

Ann the vet didn't want to add any additional meds which I suspected and did recommend the Rescue Remedy and Pheromones to try and keep him more relaxed. I think I'll try the brand your using.

Katherine it is amazing what cues them. I have everything ready way before I have to leave now and somethings I leave outside my door in our hallway. I even put my shoes in my bag now along with coat if needed. Let's hope it doesn't get to the point where I have to dress in the complex hallway also.

Ashley,Julie,and Megan thanks for your thoughts and support.

Sheep video is possible and yes you did make sense.

Dr. Shelli Thanks for all your helpful suggestions and instructions. I got the gate today which fits my hallway perfectly so I think it will help out along with everyone's advice.

Melissa, I know understand what you are saying and I KNOW you of all people are not telling me to give up on him. GIVE UP IS NOT IN YOUR VOCABULARY. You have shown us all that with all the work you have done with and for Sadie.

Jessica I did have a Tetnis a few yrs ago but am on antibiotics thanks for your concern.

Sorry this was so long everyone but I wanted you all to know how much I appreciate each and everyone of you and your suggestions.
My vet and I have decided to use some holistic remedies to start but he also thinks his behavior escalating is not a good sign health wise. I'll have to do my best to keep him calm, be stern when I have to, but most of all I'll appreciate every day we share like I have been and try and keep him comfortable. I may reconsider an MRI but I still think it will take from the funds that can keep him comfortable and take care of Gypsy's health issues also since I wouldn't do cancer treatment on him. I'll still have to think about that.

Thanks again Dawn
 
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