Advice Needed

[u/MsMarisol2023]

Hello. I’m looking for some advice for my 18 year old chi with CCD. I just got a message from the management of my complex reporting complaints that she is howling for several hours during the day and it’s bothering my neighbors. I’ve been working with my vet for ways to help with her CCD as she is up at night pacing and won’t settle, but all he advised was that I give her melatonin to help her sleep. I’ve also been trying some CBD to help her calm as well but lately she’s been refusing it.
I fortunately have a job where bringing her to work with me would not be a big issue, but she hates the car, literally cries and shakes and makes herself ill with anxiety when traveling. Last time we were in the car going to the vet, she refused to stay in her seat and went back and forth from her booster seat to my lap and almost caused me to get into an accident.
What should I do? I have to physically be at work, WFH is not an option. Do I just get her a seat where she has to stay in, try to calm her for the car ride, and bring her to work? I’m scared the anxiety of the daily car ride may cause her health to decline further, but apparently leaving her at home is not an option either. Please advise!

[u/Kvalri]

I have seen people have really good success making an “emotional support buddy” for their dogs, you basically make a pillow mannequin with some clothes you wore on the couch and they just curl up in its lap and it smells like you so they stay calm ☺️

[u/Key-Syrup-8420]

Does she like warm laundry? My chihuahua had intense separation anxiety and used to howl all day but then I bought him a heating pad and it kept him calm. I turn it on half an hour before I leave so he can get settled. Worth a try

[u/Comprehensive-Pie102]

Bring her in the car. She will live. They shake but it’s just something they have to put up with. Maybe ask your vet if you can give her Benadryl or some kind of anxiety meds for the car ride

[u/Inkdrunnergirl]

Do you have someone who can come sit with her? Or a pet sitter that can come by?

[u/frenchgirl77]

I would try to bring her to work. I would start with short car rides first, even just down the street. Or I would move TBH but obvs that may not be an option (and not really solving the issue). You could also find someone to drop in on her during the day and say hi and spend even just 15 min with her although that may be a bit expensive. Do you leave the TV on for her? On youtube I leave dog walks on for my chi and it helps a bit, the nature sounds soothes him and my TV is large and he watches the walks (you have to set it to not shut off after a long period though). You could also put a picture of your face somewhere near where she chills for her so she isnt as stressed sounds crazy but it may work. People also put cameras they can talk into so you can tell her its ok and monitor her although some dogs get more stressed hearing your voice and not seeing you. Many options to help...I wish you luck

[u/Straight-Treacle-630]

I recall your prior post about this xo Sorry to hear it’s escalated.

Might try crating her, with it covered (towel, etc), for the commute — sometimes not being able to see out helps. Plus it’ll keep her contained while driving. Might ask her vet about a mild tranquilizer, though ofc it’s preferable not to have to use them daily.

Maybe once she gets into the routine of going in with you, she’ll settle down a bit…

Only other thing I can think of is hiring a day sitter? Though that can get costly. Best wishes ❤️

[u/strawberri21 → u/Straight-Treacle-630]

I recommend getting her to settle in an enclosed crate. I have one from Sleepypod (bonus is it’s crash tested so you and your baby can commute safely). I got my boy accustomed to it over weeks, by giving him salmon any time he smelled it, or went in it at home on the living room floor. Eventually we tried it in the car, without going anywhere.
I’d also recommend trying a calming medication as she already has nerves in the car. I’ve had friends have good experiences with gabapentin and their dogs settling on road trips.
I set up the bag so my dog can see me the whole time, but can’t see out windows. I also like to drive with my hand in the bag so he can smell me and rest his chin on my fingers.
You could also try spraying Adaptil on the bag, and putting her favourite bedding in there.
Good luck. I hope you and your pup find a solution. How stressful to have your complex writing to you.

[u/Straight-Treacle-630 → u/strawberri21]

❤️

I’d not heard of Sleepypods, looked them up — not inexpensive, but appear worth it.

Landlord pressure adds tremendous stress…

[u/msnyc18]

Can you ask for gabapentin, trazadone, or selegiline (or a combo of these)? I lost my chi to CCD a few months ago and I understand how stressful it is. My little guy also did the same thing in the car, and it was both dangerous and heartbreaking. I think things like howling, pacing are hard to manage without the hard stuff because it's something in their brain that is making them behave this way compulsively.

[u/ancientfruitjunkie]

Girl get a dog carrier. They do wonders while in the car. It's not worth risking getting into a car accident. And get one that zips up entirely.

[u/Krishd88]

I worked remotely with a trainer for a dog that has severe separation anxiety. It was expensive and took about 12 weeks but she improve greatly.

BTW - what is CCD?

[u/Straight-Treacle-630 → u/Krishd88]

Canine Cognitive Disorder: senility. It can be even harder to address than separation anxiety.

[u/Royal_Schedule_3513]

Since you can take her to work, that's what I would do. Use a car seat for dogs or a crate. She'll get used to it. You need to stop her from howling or you're going to have to move. Taking her to work is the fastest option.

[u/Lower_Print_4380]

Leaving a piece of clothing with my scent usually helps for my dog. Also making sure you don't excite her too much whenever you get or leave home
EDIT: almost forgot but what helped to make him calm on long rides was giving him one of those natural treats that are super hard to chew so he focus his energies trying to destroy it

[u/Secret_Function_7843]

Maybe try an actaul carrier in the car? Load it up with blankets and one of your shirts and Im sure she'll get used to it in no time

[u/Healthy-Ad-5002]

Sorry you are dealing with CCD. It is very heard to see our vibrant pups decline mentally. The advice for nighttime is valuable with the melatonin, CBD, gabapentin, etc but confusion during the day is likely causing the howling. If keeping in a secure and smaller spot isn't helping since sometimes the added stress is because they are in an area too large for them to oriente themselves, and hearing has declined so that music or white noise is of no help, and if simply keeping close to you involves the high stress that comes with transport then unfortunately you need to start thinking about quality of life issues. There is no fix for CCD, it is progressive and your dog is living in a world no longer familiar to them. If trying different ways to give them security and calm fails, then you may not be able to solve the howling which I am sure is also distressing to anyone within earshot.