Dog with nervous habits.

Question
My dog, Pepper, is a black lab that we found through a web site called "Free Cycle." The people who owned her (previously to the people who gave her to us) used to abuse her. She's been with us for almost 5 years and we've been starting to think that maybe she has a nervous habit. She always sits on the couch while we're gone and licks it constantly until she hears us come home. Are there any suggestions that you have that could help us put an end to this?

Answer
Your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. If you have had her for five years,when did you notice this little habit?

I am familiar with FreeCycle. I never heard of anyone giving away pets on there.
You need to get your dog to the vet and have a chat with them about keeping her busy while you are gone. There are many things you can do. I am guessing you do not have a fenced yard.

I give my dog a kong with peanut butter and some small crunchy treats in it. This keeps her busy for about an hour after I go to work. I leave on two radios with classical music going low. She is almost 12 and I used to let her go in and out of the house as she always stayed in my yard, which is not fenced but I have 2 1/12 acres. Well after spending the summer with her then going back to work two years ago in Sept.- she took off one night and was 3 miles from home when some wonderful people called and told me they had her.

I took her to the vet's and she put her on Amitriptyline,which is a low dose anti-anxiety drug. Now I don't know if it's working, as I have not let her roam since, but when I come home she is happy and safe. She is not a small dog either, but an English Pointer Cross rescue.

So the point is, I totally understand what this dog is doing and what might help. My dog seems calmer on the pill and I only give it every other day. She is very healthy and had no ill effects from the drug.

You might want to try your dog on it and see if it helps. There are other drugs out there just for this problem-Clomicalm is one of them.

The best resource you have is your vet- so call them tomorrow and ask about it.

I hope that it helps her or you find an answer. Please let me know what you do and how  she is doing.