Seperation Anxiety

Well its taken some time but it turns out (well I think) Lola is suffering with seperation anxiety.
When DH and I went to bed last night, I had to come down to get something and she had destroyed 2 wires/cables. She was only alone for 4 mins!!

She shales when we come down in the monring. She is very hyperactive when hubby come home from work. Jumping up, lots of attention. Peeing at night, jumping on sofa. Wanting attention all the time. She seems ok during the day. She sometimes follows me in rooms and things.

Any advice??

She is 13months, a rescue dog, fairly obdient. Still training her. Doesnt always listen when out for walks :/

HELP!! xxx

What is she like when she is left? Does she howl, whine, bark? Does she eat or drink anything? Most dogs suffering from separation anxiety are very clearly distressed when their owners leave them. They are usually very vocal and will not eat or drink anything.

If all she dies is chew, it is more likely to be a case of boredom or needing more exercise before you leave her to tire her out a bit.

I had a greyhound that had awful separation anxiety. He howled and whined when we left him, wouldnt touch his food or drink, he pee'd and pooped and he literally tried to chew his way THROUGH the door and frame. When left alone downstairs at night, he would pee and poop everywhere, but as soon as he started sleeping in our bedroom, he didnt poo or pee once. so we knew it was because he was alone rather than not being able to hold it.

Have you tried using a crate, it really could be good for you. That way she has her own safe place and can't damage anything she shouldn't

I would agree that a crate may be your answer. However, more excercise might also be needed, or even a change of food.

Is she hyperactive all the time, or only when someone comes in etc?

She's not an overly vocal dog, just when were playing.
She gets plenty of walks.
She has plenty of chew toys and she pees downstairs and when she slept upstairs with us last night she was fine!
She was shaking this morning though :/
She's only hyperactive when someone comes in.
A crate seems cruel

Crates aren't cruel at all! Unless, of course, you leave the dog locked up for hours on end. But overnight, or for an hour or so when you go out is fine. It becomes their own private den, far more so that a dog bed because, if you cover the crate with an old curtain, it becomes a safe, private place for them.

If you do decide to try it, you should start by enticing her in with toys & treats for just a couple of minutes at a time wothout shutting the door. When she goes in on her own you can try shutting the gate for a minute & then opening it again. Just increase the time as and when she adjusts to it.

okay I'll look into a crate, thank you

We've used a crate for Dempsey since we first got him. The door is never shut now, and he goes in there on his own to sleep, or just to get a bit of 'alone' time! (Like when I use the vacuum cleaner!).

Agree with Caryll crates aren't cruel at all if used properly. Suki goes into hers anytime she wants to be alone and feel safe.

I agree with the others, a crate might help (and keep her and your belongings safe when you're not around). Search for "crate games" on youtube and you should be able to find some good video clips about good ways to teach them to go into and stay happily in their crate.

some rescue dogs suffer seperation enxiety purely at times because they think they are being abandoned again. she will figure out that you are coming back the more she is left and starts to feel like she is actualy at home but untill then you need to figure out what makes her feel secure. i put ours in the kitchen when we go out because there is very little the dogs can destroy in there.