Monday, December 16, 2013

Failure

Mason is going in on Friday to get some doggy Xanax. I adopted him when he was one and he had the worst case of separation anxiety I had ever seen (he ate through my floor, garage door, etc) and I did a lot of training. It really stressed me out but I did not give up on him. He has done well for a few years but lately has totally regressed. Nothing has changed in our life. I can't train him again, I just can't do it. It was so stressful when I left him alone I never enjoyed going out. The stress got so bad I couldn't eat. He clearly needs some medical help for wires that are shorting in his brain. I feel like I failed my dog. 

14 comments:

  1. Oh you have not failed Mason at all. Its just like you said, he has somethings inside of him that needs some help. Heck, maybe he is just like my Mom who during the holidays has a boatload of stress, mostly caused by herself and no one else. It is okay to go and get medication for what he needs. that is being what is known as a good momma, and that is exactly what you are.
    stella rose

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  2. That would be hard to handle, especially since there is no "right" answer. You just have to do what you think is best. We know another person who has the same problem with their dog and they have to take him to daycare whenever they have to go anywhere.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  3. No don't feel you have failed. You can only do your best and sometimes getting help is what you need. We have just lost dear Ancient Pip and we gave up trying to to sort out her separation anxiety which too was very bad. We in the end changed our whole life so she was never alone. Have faith and we wish you the best of luck.
    Best wishes Molly

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  4. Don't be hard on yourself. There are things from Mason's early life that you simply cannot repair. You are doing the right thing for him. I am sure he doesn't like it any more than you do.
    Pat yourself on the back - you are doing fine.
    Love Noodles

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  5. Please don't feel you failed. My little guy Denny has been on Chlomcalm for over a year now...he had a severe neurological reaction to a flea treatment that left him being "a weird scared little guy" all the time. At home he feels mostly safe but it only takes for a chair to be moved, a coat thrown carelessly on the couch or the mail man to deliver a box and he is terrified. I too have tried no stop working with and training but he is what he is and in the times he is calm he is the sweetest most adorable and cuddly little guys and that is the moments you live for and cherish. I haven't found the chlomocalm to make him sleepy or zonked out...it just seems to help him cope better.

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  6. I'm by no means any kind of expert, but if he has crossed wires in his doggie brain, then you have not failed him. You may be doing the best thing for him. My daughter has a very anxious dog, a lab mix. He's on doggie Xanax and it has helped. She too has done extensive training with her dog. Sometimes they need more than we can do for them. You need peace of mind too!

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  7. Hum, not good....we get that way, but we just go plumb crazy jumping and running when they come home! Hope the meds work!

    The Mad Scots

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  8. You haven't failed ~ just like some peeps need medication, so do some doggies. Just the way it is. You have done all you can without it, it sounds like he will be happier with some help.
    {{{{hugs}}}
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  9. Don't be sad. If Mason had a broken leg, you'd get him surgery and a cast and whatever else he needed. Some things are beyond training. You're getting him what he needs. That's what moms are supposed to do.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

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  10. This is no more a failure than someone with depression needing to take medication. As someone with an anxiety problem, let me tell you, sometimes, the medication is needed, and is a life saver. You haven't failed- you are doing what is best for your dog.

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  11. Sasha is the same way, she cries and cries the most horrible cry. It kills me. I just think that some dogs are like that and there isn't much we can do. I know he will be fine.


    Anne and Sasha

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  12. You haven't failed at all. I take medicine so I can remember my training better and not miss Mommy and Daddy so much. I'm a totally different dog (in a good way) when they're gone, but still my lovable self otherwise!
    -Mister

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  13. Monty is the same way. His trigger was when Sam died, he completely fell apart. We find him in the back closet just mindlessly digging into the floor. Sometimes you just don't know what changed. It could even be something in your environment you don't see. Maybe a neighbor lost a dog that Mason could sense. Best of luck, we love our pups!

    Monty and Harlow

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