We have an 9 year old Akita. Previously she used to travel with us quite a bit, but over the last few years she hasn't been.
Always when she traveled with us before, our German Shepherd was with us and they were always great in the camper, whether we were there, or had to leave them for a few hours. The Shepherd passed away last fall, and now the Akita is back traveling with us more again.
However we're now finding that she is chewing things when left unattended. The first night it was a paper bag, the second night it was a laptop power cord, and tonight she pulled the one curtain off the wall. We're on a good length trip and don't want her to destroy the place over the course of it, but also don't want to have to give up going to a few events that we plan to do this summer that would cause us to leave her unattended for a few hours.
When at home, she does just fine alone, whether gone for an hour or a full day. But at home she does chew things if left alone in the bathroom (we have to do this on ocassion when she is wet). So we know she doesnt like too confined spaces. But our camper is 31' and she has the ability to roam nearly the entire thing.
Does anyone have some advice or suggestions?
Brian & Evie LeRoy and our 3 girls, Bryanna, MaryAnne & Ashleigh
Soon to Arrive - 2013 KZ Spree 329IK
Soon to Depart - 2009 Keystone Passport 300BH
2005 Silverado 2500
How much exercise does she get in a day? What kind of training does she have and what kind of maintenance do you do day to day on that? Does she have appropriate and attractive things to chew when you're gone, such as a stuffed kong, a nylabone she likes or? Is she an anxious dog or does she have a history of separation anxiety? What have you done about that in the past?
susan
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a wabbit, Fuzzy Wuzzy had a dandelion habit! RIP little Wuz... don't go far.
How much exercise does she get in a day? What kind of training does she have and what kind of maintenance do you do day to day on that? Does she have appropriate and attractive things to chew when you're gone, such as a stuffed kong, a nylabone she likes or? Is she an anxious dog or does she have a history of separation anxiety? What have you done about that in the past?
Great questions and by way of asking them giving you advice on what to do. The only thing I would add is the possibility of a pheromone (DAP) and/or anti-anxiety medication.
Wow, Lots of good questions, let me try to answer each below.
1) How much exercise does she get in a day?
Typically when camping we try to get a good hike of 1 - 3 miles with her before leaving her alone. Whereas at home, she's left alone frequently, but doesn't get any "formal" exercise. Though she is allowed to run around our yard for a bit here and there. She is normally a giant couch potatoe at home, especially when its hot. We commonly refer to her has our living room speed bump.
2) What kind of training does she have and what kind of maintenance do you do day to day on that?
She has little "formal" training. We found she learned unbelievably quickly from just watching the shepherd. He seemed to "teach" her everything, it was quite amazing. She does well off leash on voice commands, and is very obedient. She will sit, stay, lay down, go in the other room, on command. She knows not to be in the room when people are eating. She was housebroken faster than any other dog I've ever seen, she knew how to use a doggy door from before 10 weeks.
3) Does she have appropriate and attractive things to chew when you're gone, such as a stuffed kong, a nylabone she likes or?
She has never been much of a chewer and has never played with toys, though we have tried dozens. About the only thing she'll chew is the little rawhide chewees. We had about 1/2 a dozen of them and the rawhide sticks in the camper. I'm going to pickup another brand or flavor in addition to what we have.
4) Is she an anxious dog or does she have a history of separation anxiety? What have you done about that in the past?
She is nervous when its raining or thundering. But when we've left her in the camper, its been neither. At home she's nervous about thunder, and we dont do anything. The only time she's been destructive at home is when she's confined to a small bathroom (only when soaking wet after swimming at inappropriate times). Though after giving it more thought, I can probably think of a handful of times that she has chewed a kids cardboard book or even one ocassion years ago, where she chewed our bed sheets, which caused us to leave the bedroom doors closed when we're not home ever since.
Doug, can that medicine be acquired over the counter? If not, how would I go about it, as I'm hundreds of miles from home and my vet. I dont think he can call in a prescription to CVS for me, can he?
The DAP is an over the counter pheromone spray, most good sized pet shops have it or something similar. Antihistamines (like Benedryl) can have a sedating effect that could help. The other anti-anxiety drugs are prescription and would require a trip to a vet but almost every one I use is also a human medication and can be phoned to a local pharmacy. I've called in a script out of state before. PM me if you need any specific advice.
Doug, DVM
Doug & Sandy
Jill (11yr old Golden)& Charmin (16 yr old something)
Henry NOW a camping cat
2008 Southwind
2009 Honda CRV
Try a Humane Wire Muzzle...they can eat and drink, and does not restrict breathing...and are comfortable. But I would think hard on this because they generally state not to leave the dog alone when wearing one.
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.
DAP can be useful, benadryl helps some. Rescue Remedy will sometimes take the edge off, if it's an anxiety thing. I like L-tryptophan, which is available in various dog supplements, or just in capsules from someplace like Swanson's (where I get mine www.swansonvitamins.com ). A kong with frozen peanut butter in it (or the stuffing they make, but frozen so it lasts longer) can be a great distraction if it would interest her.
She sounds like she may be a little lost because she learned everything from the GSD and now he's gone, so she may be needing more direction from you and a little more work might be helpful. One to three miles is nice, and that should cover the physical energy, but I would consider adding in some obedience work. Teaching her new things will drain her mental energy as well. Working on things like "heel" and doing some sit/stay/come and whatever else for a little bit each day, especially when you're camping, may make her feel a little more like she's got some direction in life and like you're in charge.
The more structured the exercise is.... part or most of it "at heel" for instance, the more it will tire her mentally. If you're kind of letting her run hither and yon and sniff at will, that doesn't force her to focus in the same way. I've flattened out my brother's GSP with a mile walk, and that dog can easily run ten miles. But I made him pay attention every step and his little pea brain was just fried when we were finished.
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