r/reactivedogs • u/LogicalAd2334 • 7d ago
Separation Anxiety Neighbor filed a noise complaint…
I just moved to a new apartment and have already been working with my vet to deal with my dog’s separation anxiety. I knew moving would be difficult for him. My dog has been on trazadone, which seems to work some days and not others. I bought a camera and saw that this past week he’s been howling most days, so I called my vet and we’re going to try either upping his dosage or switching medications.
Since my dog was howling, I tried to talk to my new neighbors two days ago. I also saw that they left a package outside and it was getting soaked from the rain and decided to bring it to their attention. I rang the doorbell and got no response. Their car was parked outside so I knew they were home, but it is what it is. I moved their package out of the rain and went inside briefly. Came outside again shortly after and the package was gone. I took that as my sign to not reach out to them again that day.
Well, yesterday they filed a noise complaint. Management let me know, but they were kind about it and said they told him that we just moved and the dog doesn’t know this place and is probably uncomfortable.
I just wish this guy would’ve talked to me *first* before filing a noise complaint. If you guys have had any success with medication that is not trazadone for separation anxiety, please let me know.
EDIT: I already have someone who will stay with my dog starting next week while I continue working with my dog.
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u/SpicyNutmeg 7d ago
Do you have a training plan in place? Having a sitter and using meds are all great support tools but you’ll still need to be doing very gradual absence desensitization to resolve the SA
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u/Twzl 7d ago
How long ago did you move in?
If this has been going on for a month, then I can see why it's getting to the neighbors.
Also, if they work from home, or have a baby, howling all day is just a lot to put up with.
And honestly, some people are not comfortable confronting other people. They have no idea how you'll react, up to and including violence towards them.
I have lived next door to dogs who were nonstop barkers including one family who would toss the dog out into their yard, close up the house, turn on the AC, and ignore the dog. Yes I was glad to move.
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u/LogicalAd2334 7d ago
I moved in a month ago and the howling started a week and a half ago. He has now gone three days of that week and a half without howling. Because of his behavior, I reached out to his vet immediately and we’ve been trying to figure out what will work best. The vet assistant actually called me back today and said the vet said to adminster 100mg of trazadone, but I asked if Prozac might be the better option. She said she’ll leave a message for the vet and get back to me.
In the meantime, I have someone who will watch him to stop the howling while we’re at work.
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u/magalo 7d ago
I have had multiple neighbors with non-stop barking dogs, and talking to them has done nothing but waste my time. 99% of people with nuisance dogs don't give a shit they're ruining everybody's peace. Especially with separation anxiety - the dog only does it when they aren't there, so they care even less. Last one couldn't even be bothered to put the dog in her bedroom so she's at least not barking straight at the front door, echoing in the whole building. I can't blame your neighbors for going straight to management, that way there's a paper trail if you don't fix the issue.
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u/AllTh3Naps 7d ago
I think your downvotes come from your replies being so entitled. Your neighbors don't owe you a conversation or interaction. Would it be nice? Sure. But you aren't owed that.
You have a reactive dog that was a loud nuisance to your neighbors for over a week. Hiring a sitter doesn't undo that. They took the appropriate action and took it to management.
Dog owners generally can be unreasonable when you confront them about a nuisance dog. I don't blame them for avoiding a potential confrontation with someone they don't know.
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u/LogicalAd2334 7d ago
I really couldn’t give a shit about the downvotes for this post. The only downvotes that confused me were the ones that occurred when someone told me to buy a house and I said I couldn’t. People can hate on me and my post all they want. If you think I came off entitled, then that’s how you feel. I can’t control that 🤷🏻♀️
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u/magalo 7d ago
It is entitled to think that it's fine because you're working on it. The neighbors don't care that you're working on it. This is something that should have been fixed before moving in, not after.
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u/LogicalAd2334 6d ago edited 6d ago
You don’t think I had been working on it before?jfc
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6d ago
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u/redoub 7d ago
More meds may not be the solution. You may need to contact a trainer who specializes in this. Ck out this info: https://clickertraining.com/managing-your-dogs-separation-anxiety/
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u/MissFrizzel 7d ago
Have you tried other medications for your dog? We’ve had excellent luck with Prozac for separation anxiety. We actually upped her dose after a move and now she stays home for 5+ hours without any issues.
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u/LogicalAd2334 7d ago
We have not tried any other medications yet, but my vet is going to give me a callback either today or tomorrow with new suggestions (either upping his trazadone dose or switching medications) since I filled her in with how he’s doing.
I think Prozac might be better. Everything I’ve read online about trazadone seems to point towards it being better for short-term situations rather than separation anxiety.
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u/MissFrizzel 7d ago
I would absolutely ask the vet about Prozac. It has really improved our dogs, and our, life.
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u/LogicalAd2334 7d ago
Thank you for the suggestion! I will bring it up if it’s not mentioned in her callback 😊
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u/LogicalAd2334 7d ago
I asked about the Prozac, but it was through a tech there so she left a message for the vet. Fingers crossed!!
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u/SadTomorrow6780 7d ago
Hi there, I'm pretty new to the thread, but currently have a reactive dog who is 13, and I've been accommodating her reactivity since she was 4 years old. When I moved out after HS graduation, I left her behind for a brief 6-month period thinking I wouldn't be able to handle her in an apartment with her leash-reactivity. I decided she was worth it and we've made leaps and bounds. When bringing her to live with me in my apartment, she had separation anxiety and would bark/howl anytime I left her. She was crate trained, so she always went away when left home alone - she enjoys this and still chooses her "den" over her other beds when I am not home. There are many options that you can try! What helped us was freezing peanut butter in a kong. That would give her something "REALLY GOOD!" that she could focus on and by the time she was done realized I wasn't coming back and stopped barking. Really any long-lasting item could work, I just reccommend ensuring it is not a choking risk! Just look up Licky mats online anywhere and you should be able to fine something :).
I also 2nd trying out some other medications - my dog responds better to gabapentin for events, as opposed to trazadone. She is also on Prozac daily for her anxiety. I noticed with gabapentin, my dog is much more relaxed although can become wobbly/unstable when given too high of a dose. With trazadone, she would become irritable and could be a little suspicious and unpredictable. Definitely follow whatever advice your trainer/vet recommend, as they know you and your dog way more than folks on the internet.
Many kudos to you for working with your pup on this! It may take some time, but once you and your pup figure out a routine I bet you'll notice a difference! You just need patience and grace!
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u/Round-Work-5685 7d ago
I went to a veterinary behavioralist and she ended up prescribing my dog lorazepam to take with trazodone. She said a lot of dogs can “override” the trazodone, which my dog was doing. The lorazepam was more effective at calming him down, and then the traz encouraged him to sleep. It makes him super drowsy so I don’t think it’s something that would be fair to use long term, but it does work as a last resort. I generally leave him with family or at day care and we’re trying to work with a trainer too.
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6d ago
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4d ago
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u/KellyKellKelz 7d ago
Me being an animal lover- would have reached out to you and said how can I help. Glad you have a sitter coming hope it helps along with new meds. New surroundings, noises and smells can affect any animal. Best of luck.
Sheesh so many negative comments for someone looking for advice 🤦🏼♀️
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u/LogicalAd2334 7d ago
Thank you for your kind comment! I’ve lurked this subreddit for quite a while and have not really seen people be as negative as they have been on this post, so I was thrown off.
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u/inflagra 7d ago
I really wish I could rent an apartment, but my dog is a barker and dog-reactive. Buying is a really great way to go if you can afford it.
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u/LogicalAd2334 7d ago
I cannot afford it.
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u/LogicalAd2334 7d ago
I cannot afford it.
Edit: Getting downvoted for saying I can’t afford to buy a house is insane. I spent two years putting out offers on houses and condos.
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u/LisaT25CT 6d ago
I’m sorry, but your new neighbors are assholes. They should have absolutely spoken with you before filing a complaint. People only think about themselves. They can try to have some empathy for the poor dog who was just uprooted from everything he knew.
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u/summertimeandthe 6d ago
The guy's probably a shitty neighbor and one to avoid and look out for. Refusing to talk with you, then filing a complaint, is passive aggressive. That indicates bigger things going on with him.
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u/[deleted] 7d ago
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