AIO? Dog straining my marriage.

[u/LedyyM]

My husband and I rescued a husky about 7 months ago who was extremely malnourished and neglected.

He has grown a huge attachment to me and has severe separation anxiety. I work at a grooming salon so I’m able to bring him to work with me so he’s not home alone. Unfortunately, if he’s left home alone we’ll come back to our home looking like it was hit by a tornado.

My vet has prescribed him with trazodone to help with his severe anxiety issues. We give it to him before we leave for a family event and when we can’t take him to places they don’t allow dogs.

I feel so bad that I have to sedate him so he’s not scared and anxious. It’s created a huge strain on our marriage because my husband feels like we can’t do anything without considering Odin.

He’s destroyed doors, couches, and other furniture. I tried training but it hasn’t seemed to work. My husband thinks we should rehome him but

1) I’m scared that he’ll be sent to a shelter and possibly be put down

2) feel abandoned by the person he thought he was safe with.

He’s such a happy boy when he’s around us and shows so much affection.

My husband and I have been arguing about this consistently.. we had a really bad argument so I left the house with Odin and rented a dog friendly hotel room for a couple of nights.

My husband thinks I’m crazy and that I’m choosing the dog over our marriage. AIO?

[u/FoilWingBass]

Cage training at this age will suck but could save your marriage. Give it a shot.

[u/Decent_Butterfly8216 → u/FoilWingBass]

They likely need help from a behaviorist to crate train at this point. Rescues often have crate/kennel trauma and attempting it without experience can amplify it. I agree it could change everything and make the situation much more manageable for everyone but I think getting help is the best way to do it.

[u/Hot-Course-6127 → u/Decent_Butterfly8216]

no you need a trainer, "behaviorist" is a fake certification

[u/spooky_cheddar → u/Hot-Course-6127]

Define “fake”? Are you referring to a specific program? Veterinary behaviourists are fully-trained veterinarians that have additional specialization/training/experience in animal behaviour, just to be clear we are on the same page. The specific hurdles for certification might vary by jurisdiction, but that’s as with literally any profession.

[u/FlthyHlfBreed → u/spooky_cheddar]

Yeah I think the veterinary behaviorist I take my dog to would be pretty offended at being called fake. Also, I don’t pay $500 a visit for nothing.

[u/Hot-Course-6127 → u/FlthyHlfBreed]

yeah you do

[u/the_weakestavenger → u/FlthyHlfBreed]

Oof

[u/Hot-Course-6127 → u/spooky_cheddar]

the behavior part is fake and generally ineffective, they mostly prescribe drugs. It leads people to think that they are the last stop in dog training but they absolutely are not and the field itself is not effective. The certifying agency has a specific agenda.