GSD with issues

bigdoglover · 02-13-2005, 04:00 PM

My GSD is soon to be 7 years old. He is of pure German bloodlines, and was imported (not by me ) when he was 2. Since then he has had several owners. He is of working lines, and a really smart dog, and in the beginning (March, 04) we couldn't figure out why he changed hands so many times. Well now I know.

We originally bought him, I should say rescued him, from his previous owner who had no time for him. My husband is a trucker, and so he rode with him in his rig. But the first thing my husband noticed is whenever he got out of the truck, Conan would start to "scream". Literally. And if he went inside to eat, he would come back to the truck to find anything laying loose had been torn to shreds. Even if my husband took him out for a nice long walk before going to eat, he would tear everything up. So when he bought his new rig, the decission was made to leave Conan at home with me. I only work 4 hours a day, plus with my other 2, he would have company. No dice. I had to crate him in the garage, with the crate door pushed against the wall and our 4-wheeler behind the crate because he would bust out. Well, I came home one day to find Conan had literally chewed his way out of a heavy-duty crate and was roaming the garage he had destroyed.
I have an outdoor kennel....(30ftX30Ft) with and insulated dog house, to which I put him in while at work. He walks/runs the fence all day and has it turned into a giant mud pit. Plus he gets himself so worked up, he comes into the house panting like he has run a triathalon. So I thought he needed to expend that energy, and for the past 2 weeks have been running him. Nothing seems to work. He even gets upset if I close the bathroom door!! I have spoken to past owners, and they always "Does he still scream?" So he has been doing this his whole life. I have studied dog training and behavior for a long time, and this one eludes me. I can't seem to find any type of rehab routine to fix this. And since he's been this way his whole life, past owners have been unable to take him to Schutzhund trials.
So, now that I have rambled too much, any suggestions? I have even thought of getting those "Natural relaxation treats", but would like to find a cure instead of meds. Any information is greatly appreciated!! Thanx!

poodlesmom · 02-13-2005, 04:29 PM

Since he is now 7 yo & apparently has always had these issues perhaps it might be worthwhile to contact a behaviorist who has experience dealing with a working breed for some suggestions. I have heard quite a few times that they have been of considerable help.

***Carrie*** · 02-13-2005, 04:52 PM

I would put him on Prozac if I had the choice. This sounds serious. I don't know what herbs would be strong enough. He needs a beta blocking drug....sounds like to me.

bigdoglover · 02-13-2005, 05:06 PM

Thank you poodlesmom and Carrie for the advice. I'm going to give my vet a call tomorrow and see what he suggests as well. Something has to be done, I'm afraid to come home and find he's had a heart attack from the anxiety.

***Carrie*** · 02-13-2005, 05:12 PM

Good. Let us know what your vet says. I feel so badly for you and your doggie...poor thing, to have been suffering this way for so long. I do hope the vet can do something. (((hugs)))

sheltiepups · 02-13-2005, 05:15 PM

I agree bring him to the vet. To me it sounds like he has separation anxiety, and needs some meds or something to help calm him down. Good luck!

oc_spirit · 02-13-2005, 05:56 PM

I think this is beyond seperation anxiety! It could be from having been through so many owners. He hasn't really had a "home" so he probably feels very insecure. When someone does take him in, he wants to make sure they won't leave him again so he wants to keep his eyes on them all the time. When he can't he worries they're not coming back, ever. Also he has learned that by putting up a big fuss they'll end up coming back sooner or later.

This deffinately calls for a proffessional behaviourist. Good luck!

Cheers!

***Carrie*** · 02-13-2005, 07:06 PM

I agree OC but I think it even goes beyond that. I almost have this gut feeling (without really knowing anything) that the behavior stemming from past experiences has become so intense and ingrained, that it has possibly changed the brain "chemistry" or caused certain CNS (central nervous system) changes.

sunny98 · 02-14-2005, 12:08 AM

I am soo sorry to hear about your pup! Sounds like separation anxiety to me but I agree that taking him to the vet is the best place to start. Keep us posted!

bigdoglover · 02-14-2005, 07:32 AM

Talked to the vet this morning, and he said there are several different drugs out there. One thing he said is that he is beyond the herbal remedies. So you were right, Carrie!! Anyway, they are going to have to do blood work and as he put it, "test them out" to see which one works best. He definitely agreed that he is going to hurt himself either internally or externally if it goes on much longer. So, as much as I love my vet, I am going to get a second opinion....can't hurt, right? I'll keep you guys posted on how things progress. Thanx again for all of the posts, makes me feel better!!

02-13-2005, 04:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigdoglover Giant Schnauzers Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West-Central Illinois Posts: 3,624 Rep Power: 179	GSD with issues My GSD is soon to be 7 years old. He is of pure German bloodlines, and was imported (not by me ) when he was 2. Since then he has had several owners. He is of working lines, and a really smart dog, and in the beginning (March, 04) we couldn't figure out why he changed hands so many times. Well now I know. We originally bought him, I should say rescued him, from his previous owner who had no time for him. My husband is a trucker, and so he rode with him in his rig. But the first thing my husband noticed is whenever he got out of the truck, Conan would start to "scream". Literally. And if he went inside to eat, he would come back to the truck to find anything laying loose had been torn to shreds. Even if my husband took him out for a nice long walk before going to eat, he would tear everything up. So when he bought his new rig, the decission was made to leave Conan at home with me. I only work 4 hours a day, plus with my other 2, he would have company. No dice. I had to crate him in the garage, with the crate door pushed against the wall and our 4-wheeler behind the crate because he would bust out. Well, I came home one day to find Conan had literally chewed his way out of a heavy-duty crate and was roaming the garage he had destroyed. I have an outdoor kennel....(30ftX30Ft) with and insulated dog house, to which I put him in while at work. He walks/runs the fence all day and has it turned into a giant mud pit. Plus he gets himself so worked up, he comes into the house panting like he has run a triathalon. So I thought he needed to expend that energy, and for the past 2 weeks have been running him. Nothing seems to work. He even gets upset if I close the bathroom door!! I have spoken to past owners, and they always "Does he still scream?" So he has been doing this his whole life. I have studied dog training and behavior for a long time, and this one eludes me. I can't seem to find any type of rehab routine to fix this. And since he's been this way his whole life, past owners have been unable to take him to Schutzhund trials. So, now that I have rambled too much, any suggestions? I have even thought of getting those "Natural relaxation treats", but would like to find a cure instead of meds. Any information is greatly appreciated!! Thanx!

02-13-2005, 05:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
sheltiepups Semper Fidelis - Marines Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: somewhere Posts: 2,438 Rep Power: 132	I agree bring him to the vet. To me it sounds like he has separation anxiety, and needs some meds or something to help calm him down. Good luck!
	__________________ Breezy & her shelties Thank you Dawn, for a wonderful siggy :) 2cutepups

02-13-2005, 05:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
oc_spirit Snow Girl Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,621 Rep Power: 146	I think this is beyond seperation anxiety! It could be from having been through so many owners. He hasn't really had a "home" so he probably feels very insecure. When someone does take him in, he wants to make sure they won't leave him again so he wants to keep his eyes on them all the time. When he can't he worries they're not coming back, ever. Also he has learned that by putting up a big fuss they'll end up coming back sooner or later. This deffinately calls for a proffessional behaviourist. Good luck! Cheers!
	__________________ NORTHERN BLACKOUT SIBERIAN HUSKIES AND CUSTOM LEATHER LEASHES Even the quietest whisper can be heard over the loudest gunshot. When? When it speaks the truth! I shall stand by your side and fight! Together we shall prevail through all life's adversities!

02-14-2005, 12:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
sunny98 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt Vernon Wa Posts: 822 Rep Power: 101	I am soo sorry to hear about your pup! Sounds like separation anxiety to me but I agree that taking him to the vet is the best place to start. Keep us posted!
	__________________ Erin, Sunny and the gang

02-13-2005, 04:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
poodlesmom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: upstate NY Posts: 1,389 Rep Power: 114	Since he is now 7 yo & apparently has always had these issues perhaps it might be worthwhile to contact a behaviorist who has experience dealing with a working breed for some suggestions. I have heard quite a few times that they have been of considerable help.

02-13-2005, 04:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,551 Rep Power: 292	I would put him on Prozac if I had the choice. This sounds serious. I don't know what herbs would be strong enough. He needs a beta blocking drug....sounds like to me.

02-13-2005, 05:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
bigdoglover Giant Schnauzers Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West-Central Illinois Posts: 3,624 Rep Power: 179	Thank you poodlesmom and Carrie for the advice. I'm going to give my vet a call tomorrow and see what he suggests as well. Something has to be done, I'm afraid to come home and find he's had a heart attack from the anxiety.

02-13-2005, 05:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,551 Rep Power: 292	Good. Let us know what your vet says. I feel so badly for you and your doggie...poor thing, to have been suffering this way for so long. I do hope the vet can do something. (((hugs)))

02-13-2005, 07:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,551 Rep Power: 292	I agree OC but I think it even goes beyond that. I almost have this gut feeling (without really knowing anything) that the behavior stemming from past experiences has become so intense and ingrained, that it has possibly changed the brain "chemistry" or caused certain CNS (central nervous system) changes.

02-14-2005, 07:32 AM	#10 (permalink)
bigdoglover Giant Schnauzers Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West-Central Illinois Posts: 3,624 Rep Power: 179	Talked to the vet this morning, and he said there are several different drugs out there. One thing he said is that he is beyond the herbal remedies. So you were right, Carrie!! Anyway, they are going to have to do blood work and as he put it, "test them out" to see which one works best. He definitely agreed that he is going to hurt himself either internally or externally if it goes on much longer. So, as much as I love my vet, I am going to get a second opinion....can't hurt, right? I'll keep you guys posted on how things progress. Thanx again for all of the posts, makes me feel better!!

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