If you have a friend who has a cat, have your dog on a leash and see what the reaction is to your friend's cat. Interest is okay. But you'll want to see if there is a hard stare focused on the cat. Does the dog lunge at the cat? What is the dog's reaction when the cat runs? If you tug on the leash to tell her "no" does she listen and change her focus to you instead of the cat?

Dogs are pretty smart creatures and know who is part of the pack and who is not. They can easily live harmoniously with the family cat but will chase off the neighbor's cat.

Barring that your dog is not aggressive toward your neighbor's cat, here are some tips for integrating a cat into a home with a dog. First, let them get used to each other's smells in separate rooms or have the cat in a crate or kitty condo where she will be safe. They should each have access to the house when the other is not around or is in a secure area.

After a couple days, put kitty on your lap, dog on a leash. Introduce by petting kitty and letting dog know that she is now part of your family. If the dog shows unusual interest or lunges, a quick tug on the leash will let her know that this is not the behavior you want. Put kitty on floor and have dog still on a leash. Let them get to know each other. By having your dog on a leash you have control and can immediately correct a behavior you don't want.

Once you know your dog and cat will integrate harmoniously, take the leash off (this might be several days). Kittens are easily adaptable whereas adult cats may have a longer period of adjustment. When in doubt, or in periods of absence, keep your kitty safe by having her in a separate room or kitty condo. Good luck!!

Here are some of the things we are already doing to address this problem.  We have varied our departure times. We deliberately do not have any set routine to indicate to our pet beforehand our intention to leave.  When we do depart, we do so quietly and out of her sight.  We make sure she has been left in her "happy place", (her crate) and she has her paste filled chew toys.  In the adjoining crate is her companion, a contented neutered 2-yr old Chihuahua, with his toys.  We always have the T.V. or stereo going as though we were still home.  We aren't gone for very long and when we return home we make sure there is no celebration.  We do not greet them immediately or excitedly.  But rather, we quietly leash up and out we go for a walk, potty break, and play time.

Also please note, our pets do not share our bedroom or meal times as this was considered to exacerbate S.A., (because of transferring the pack leadership away from the human).  And we purchased herbal drops, a "Natural Homeopathic Remedy - Anxiety Relief" product for dogs we give her daily.  We've done everything we can think of to do and she has improved somewhat.  However, she is still experiencing the trauma of S.A. and we would greatly appreciate your advice with helping her cope.

As you may have surmised, we are also having difficulty with housebreaking.  In her previous life of living in a cage, she became accustomed to
relieving herself in her small space.  So crate-training does not work for her.  The puppy-training pads, training drops, etc. have no effect on her.  And she doesn't recognize what to do with the newspapers even when she has used on them for weeks. As they are gradually removed, her choices are indiscriminate. She does not choose the "training material" over the flooring. Would you please help with more advice on this subject too?

We send our many thanks,
Teri & Jack

I've done some research and it appears that the extreme separation anxiety may call for extreme measures. While I choose to use homeopathic remedies whenever possible, this obviously isn't working in your case.

I would suggest that putting your dog on "Doggie Prozak" may be the best thing for her. it may take a couple weeks before you notice any change. Just like Prozak for people, it puts the brain on an even keel. What used to be insurmountable to a person and reduce them to tears or a rage, Prozak has helped them keep things at a normal level where they should be and tolerable. My research has indicated that this is also true in the canine world and there are no symptoms of being "drugged."

Another option (only for extreme cases) is using a tranquilizer like Ace Promezene. Your vet can tell you whether Ace Promezene or Prozak is the better solution. Addressing the separation anxiety first could very well rectify the poor potty behavior. Please continue to keep us posted on the outcome with your pet.