My dog pants, digs, and destroys walls at night. Is it anxiety?

Question

Our dog heavily pants from about 5pm to when we fall asleep and sometimes through the night. We thought it was due to fireworks but it started way before fireworks were used. We took her to the vet and got some sort of light sedative that doesn’t work. She has put holes in the walls from scratching and digging in random places in the house. We have no idea what’s going on and the vet is not helpful. Any ideas? Thanks. Pet's info: Dog | Whippet | Female | spayed | 15 lbs

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

I'm wondering if Bootsee could have some separation anxiety when you go to sleep. I recommend crating her at night. The crate will provide her a small space where she can feel safe in it when you are gone. You will have to slowly train her to get used to a crate. Start putting her in it when you are home and sitting nearby so she doesn't think you are abandoning her, and slowly increase the time she is in it. She can have toys in the crate, and puzzle toys with treats in it that she has to figure out how to get the treats out. You can put a tablespoon of peanut butter in a Kong toy and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to her in the crate. That will keep her occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety and pair that with a DAP pheromone collar that releases pheromones when in contact with her skin. I hope this helps!

My dog pants, digs, and destroys walls at night. Is it anxiety?

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