Hi Broderick

we too have a rescue dog from the UK, and he suffered terribly with seperation anxiety. He also does not travel well.

We decided the seperation anxiety was the lesser of two evils, so he goes into kennels, rather than goes through the trauma of a days travelling back to the UK.

What we did was slowly get him used to the kennels, by taking him for a few hours, and then picking him up, slowly increasing the time, until we can now leave him for long periods. He knew we were going back for him, so his anxiety levels reduced dramatically. We use the same kennels every time, which has helped as they know him, and he knows them.

He know enjoys going to the kennels (although its not like any other kennels, they are exceptional people, and I would recommend them to anyone) and we have a much more relaxed time knowing that he is happier there than he would be with us.

It has taken quite a while to get to this point, but it was much better than sedating him, and making him travel hundreds of miles.

Hope this helps

To gumdrops

Hi my wife sent out the enquirey why I was signed in so thank for the reply and can I ask you please to e mail me again as I cleaned up my in box and wiped you off so we /I cant e mail you back.

Regards Broderick

zylkene is a very good non sedating but stress reducing tablet, available from vets and the internet. it can be given long term, I advise using it the day before as the dog usually gets wound up with the packing of bags.

ACP is a tranquilliser that whilst reasonably safe in young/middle aged dogs, can be harmful to very young, old or dogs with heart or kidney problems - diagnosed or undiagnosed.

Long term solutions are better, using the zylkene daily and feeding the dog in the car initially, then just starting the engine and not going anywhere, then out the drive and back in, then down the road and back etc etc. is the best way of dealing with this. The car becomes a nice place to be, not just something that takes you to the vet/kennels or on a 10 hour drive.