Bulldog Problems: Is It Housebreaking Or Separation Anxiety?

Dear Adam:

I adopted Sophie, a 3-year old 60-lb female English Bulldog, four months ago.

The problem is twofold--one, she pees in the house (and occasionally poops, too), and two, being an incredibly strong dog, she easily butts her way out of ANY crate, from airline-style to an all-metal crate (and I even wired the latches shut, and strapped the crate to slider door handles!). I've tried leaving her in an enclosed space, but she busts up everything in the room in an attempt to get to a window (not a door!). She does have a urinary tract infection, and is on her third week of antibiotics to cure it. She hardly drinks any water. She's taken out twice in the morning, a neighbor takes her out in the middle of the day, and she goes out twice in the evening. She has a very sweet nature, and is definitely insecure about being left alone.

Marilyn

P.S. Forgot to mention--evenings, weekends, or anytime I, or a friend, or any human being is with her, she's fine, and doesn't pee in the house.

Dear Marilyn:

Without knowing the dog, I can only take a shot in the dark. It sounds to me like your dog has separation anxiety.

Please read:
- My article on separation anxiety at http://www.dogproblems.com/articles.htm

- My article on housebreaking at http://www.dogproblems.com/housebreaking.htm

In the meantime, you're going to have to buy a stronger crate. I would recommend doing a search on the internet. There are private companies that make such crates out of metal/stainless steel. I would call them on the phone and see if they feel that their crates would keep your dog confined and prevent him from hurting himself.

Always buy with a credit card, in case the product is inferior and they try to refuse to stand behind it.

That's all for now, folks!
Adam
Dogproblems.com

A New Cure For Separation Anxiety

I found this while searching for something else, on Google and thought you might find it interesting.

From the Peoria Humane Society website: Melatonin the Marvelous!!!

Amazingly, an effective treatment for thunderstorm and noise phobias may be an over-the-counter hormone used by humans to prevent insomnia. Melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland, sets the body's internal clock in response to exposure to light. The body creates melatonin only in total darkness (the pineal gland stops production when any part of the body, even the back of the leg, is exposed to light). In humans, melatonin has been shown to calm the nerves, reduce anxiety, relieve panic disorders, prevent migraine headaches and facilitate deep sleep. In birds and other animals in the wild, melatonin levels trigger spring reproduction, fall migration, and winter hibernation. Actually, hibernation is what brought melatonin to dogs with thunderstorm/noise phobias.

Melatonin has helped some noise-phobic dogs go from being panicked to only mildly concerned with thunder or other loud noises such as fireworks and gunshots (it has not been found to be effective in other stressful situations, only when noise is a major factor). It isn't a sedative. Your dog will stay awake and alert. Instead of being extremely afraid during a thunderstorm, a dog may just simply stop being afraid.

It is not quite known how melatonin works, but it has an acute effect on the central nervous system's neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit nerve impulses. It appears that melatonin increases serotonin production and that it is a major inhibitor of dopamine release. Dopamine and serotonin are the important neurotransmitters involved in behavior. It may also have something to do with cortisol levels.

You may find Melatonin in health food stores, pharmacies and some supermarkets. It comes in a number of forms and a wide variety of dosages, so make sure to examine the labels carefully and select a product that contains the proper dosage for dogs. Make sure that it does NOT contain other herbs or nutrients. The usual dosage is 3mg for a dog that weighs over 30 pounds. In a few cases, very large dogs weighing well over 100 pounds needed 6mg, but that's unusual. For dogs that weigh less than 30 pounds, give 1.5mg. For a tiny dog, reduce the dosage even further. Keep in mind that 1,000 micrograms (mcg) is equal to 1 milligram (mg), so a 200mcg pill, which is a common dosage form, contains only 1/15 of the amount recommended for a large dog.

Whenever a thunderstorm is predicted, give the dog melatonin before you leave for the day. The supplement remains effective for several hours. Otherwise, give it whenever thunder seems imminent. If the dog becomes agitated, give the melatonin immediately. It may not be as effective on a dog that is already highly aggitated, however, giving it may prevent the situation form getting worse. Melatonin's benefits may be cumulative with a maximum benefit occurring by the third day.

Are there any dogs that shouldn't take melatonin? It has been said that you shouldn't give melatonin to humans with autoimmune disorders, so check with your veterinarian before giving it to your dog. However, it has been given to dogs with autoimmune disease, elderly dogs that had a number of diseases, dogs with heart problems and dogs with other illnesses, without any serious side effects. So again, you must consult your veterinarian before giving it to your dog if it has an illness.

The long term safety of melatonin supplementation has been debated by physicians and many holistic health experts warn against taking it for more than ocasional, short term use. However, no clinical trials have been conducted on its actions in dogs. Over-the-counter melatonin is not recommended for children because any hormone supplement may disrupt the developing endocrine system, so it is believed that it shouldn't be given to puppies for the same reason. As always consult your veterinarian.

That's all for now, folks!
Adam