*I feel kind of bad that all I've done on here so far is ask question after question, but this is my best source of answers for everything husky, so here goes*

Ok, so the light bulb went off today, Bella definitely has separation anxiety.

We've only had her since last sunday (like 5 days) and I've avoided leaving her alone just to make her transition to our home easier. The most she's been left alone in the past few days is like an hour, and the most she did was climb on a wood table and mess up the blinds a bit.

*to be fair they are already super old and brittle*

Today (friday) I went to town (aka the actual city my small town neighbors) and I left at like 7:10 am. My hubby got home about 10:20 am and promptly called me to let me know I had forgotten to close the door to the "game room" and Bella had pooped everywhere, climbed up on the table in there, (upon which are comic books, craft materials, and war machine figures ) and ripped down the curtains and blinds in there. She also demolished a few reusable grocery bags..

anyhoo, that combined with the fact that the one time I took Abby for a walk without her this week she "howled bloody murder", and her previous owners telling me that she would constantly pace, and the main reason they wanted to find a home for her was she was tearing up their house when they were gone, pretty much points to separation anxiety. I figure the fact that shes half GSD makes it even more likely.


Here's what I'm going to do:
1- attempt to desensitize her to our "leaving routine", getting ready to go and just sitting down, etc.

2- no fuss coming and going; not making a big deal about goodbyes, not being all "HEY GIRRRRLS" when I walk through the door.

3- classical piano music (it can't hurt to try)

4- kong with frozen goodies, hopefully ones that wont give her diarrhea.

5- thundershirt (they let you try it for 30 days, right)

6-leaving her a shirt ive worn

7-NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid- or some kind of calming/anxiety chew thing, nothing that's an actual drug, I'd prefer to avoid that if possible..

any other suggestions?
I try to have mine and my husband's work schedules so they alternate, but we have to leave the house together at some point lol, plus on tuesdays my hubs works until 2pm and i go in at 11am.

cleaning up poops isnt a huge deal, I just don't want her destroying something irreplaceable or expensive (our ps4, for example)

oh another note, I don't crate either pup, abby i never needed to, she gets bored occasionally but not anxious and she's housebroken, and bella is housebroken aside from her revenge pooping lol. both have good sleep habits so I just have never gotten a crate.

UGH that was long...

Libby....separation anxiety is a husky issue, probably worse than a gsd issue. Huskies are far more destructive than gsds. Sooooooooooooooooo..............you got a good plan going. I know a few people use melatonin for calming that may help as well. I strongly urge you to attempt crate training. Was she crated at her previous home?

My Miya was real bad under 18 months old, and we discovered that heavy mental and physical exercise prior to her being by herself was key, I guess she was too tired to miss us. Kong filled with some pure pumpkin will control loose stools. Those are my best suggestions, along with your plans.

BTW, never worry about asking questions, that is why this forum is here, to help and share. Also would love to see some pics of your 2 girls

I run a radio for my dogs. Crating is always going to be your most fool proof option. Shortly followed by dog proofing a room to leave them in. I created my young dog until he was trustworthy but still have my living room where they stay dog proofed. All cords are sprayed with bitter Apple spray or Tabasco sauce. All valuables are stashed or are up high. Chairs flank my Windows so the curtains are protected by them. My two don't bother anything anymore. When I first got Kenzi we had some rough separation anxiety. I would wander in and out of the house all the time. Sometimes I would let her see me out the window, sometimes I wouldn't. It took a month or so to get past it but she did.

not a great photo, but one of the few I have so far of both of them. Bella is on the left, Abby the right.

They are so pretty. A great looking pair.