My 9 yr catahoula heeler mix got into a bad fight with one of my other dogs.She was missing for almost2 weeks.Shecame home but if she isn't w/me at all times she starts breathing real hard&my daughter says she screams.she's always been an outside dog. hasn't been tied up.But I can't leave the house or she freaks out. What is going on&what can I do?She went through a glass window the other day and today I had to leave so I tied her up & when I got hope she had broken loose from the tie down. Help. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 8 years and 9 months old | 50 lbs

It sounds as if Buster has some separation anxiety. I usually recommend that with cases like this you initiate crate training, which you have already done, so that’s great. Crate training can take a few weeks but once he is used to the crate he will begin to feel safe there. I would also recommend taking him on a fast paced walk for 20-30 minutes before you have to crate him to help drain some of his nervous energy. You can also try giving him a chew toy like a kong in the crate to keep him distracted. If these tactics do not work I would recommend talking to your vet about starting him on an anti anxiety medication for when you are away. I hope this helps. Good luck. Please let us know if you have any additional questions!

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sounds like Toffee is a little unsure about the move to a new place and is having a hard time calming down and relaxing. Moving can be stressful for our pets, and it can take them a few days - or even a few weeks - to adjust and settle in. Pacing (or walking from room to room) is a sign of anxiety. Try to provide Toffee with a quiet, calm place to relax, and provide as many familiar items in that space as possible. It helps if he is crate trained and can be put in a familiar kennel, with familiar blankets that smell the way he remembers them. If you don't have items like this that can remind him of his relaxing familiar environment, just provide him with a calm quiet place and a comfortable space to lay down. He will relax and sleep when he's ready. If you really feel that his anxiety is excessive, you can call your vet and talk to them about a temporary medication to help with his anxiety - but this usually isn't necessary, and he will probably settle down if given a little time. Hope this helps and Toffee feels comfortable soon!

It sounds as if Baxter would benefit from some medication to help his anxiety. I would recommend talking with your vet about starting him on an anti-anxiety medication like Fluoxetine. He would likely also benefit from another drug like Trazodone in the short term while the Fluoxetine levels are normalizing in the body (which can take 4-6 weeks). You should also consider increasing his exercise routine. Taking him on a fast paced walk for 20-30 minutes prior to your departure will help drain some of his nervous energy. It may be beneficial to crate train him as well. This can help him feel as if he has a safe, comfortable place to rest while you are away. I hope this helps. Best of luck. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.