Help!

[Brie Reimann]

I just recently learned that my yellow lab Bubba has a severe case of separation anxiety. Two days ago we left for 20 minutes and he ate 70 advil. I am worried because although we took him to the vet he is dry heaving at night. What should I do?

[Dorothy Chan]

you did the right thing...taking him to the vet....try using crate when you aren't home...leave the radion on. Good luck.

[Kendall Aliza]

I wouldnt put him in a crate unless he is crate trained. If someone else hasnt responded by tomorrow I'll give you my 2 cents, but I just wanted to make you aware that unless he is crate trained already locking him up could make matters even worse for you.

[Eric Vecc]

I don't quite understand your post Kendall... In my opinion (and I am not an SA expert) but why do you think your dog has SA in the first place? How old is your dog? You have a Lab! Labs are very mouthy and curious. They will get into anything and everything and will do so when you are not around. I'm sure Advil taste good to a dog. The first thing that comes to my mind is why the Advil was accessible to the dog. Crating your dog is an acceptable solution. Many people do not want to or can't but if it is feasible, I recommend it. Otherwise, you need to dog proof your house a little better and keep all things dangerous out of his reach. You did the right thing by taking him to the vet and I hope he will be OK. If you are interested in Crate Training, please visit that forum and learn how to do it right. We have a Lab/Shepherd and he stays in his crate when we are not home - and he loves it. He gets a dental Kong and happily lays there for up to 5 hours.

[Kendall Aliza]

I was about to go to bed for the night, but I wanted to mention that before you just up and lock your dog up in a crate he needs to be crate trained. My parents have a lab with SA and if she gets locked up she will tear up her crate, possible injuring herself in the process.
I agree with everything Eric said in his post, but will add a little more to it. Heres a link to the articles section of this site. I reccomend you do a good amount of reading on both sa and crate training. The sa is going to take a lot patience on your part, but it can be worked through. My dog tore up my aptartment when I first got him and now he can be left for 4 -5 hours by himself with no problem. Possibly even longer, but I've never left him for more than 5 hours.
http://www.doggiebagonline. com/articles/categories.php?
Anyway, you might also want to try Bach Rescue Remedies and there is also this little fan/air freshner you plug into your wall that I know some people on this site use.