amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

clane · 03-03-2008, 10:40 PM

Our border mix is almost 12 years old. She is still pretty agile, a little wobbly on the stairs at night, but runs like only borders can (her figure 8s and circles in the yard). She is just neurotic. Anything can set her off: low battery beeps on the phone, noises outdoors, storms, stupid neighbors (whose kid had spent seven years taunting her over the fence) & their bb gun(s), etc. and she trembles, tries to bury herself in the walls, furniture, carpet. We have had our laundry room drywall shredded a few times now, carpet torn, doors and frames scratched, clothing and laundry basket shredded...and pee/poo to clean up. Obviously when we are home, we pet her and do our best to calm her, but if something sets her off while we are out, then what?

I love our pooch, but I am already a frazzled mama and this is just sending me over the edge. I can not continue to let her destroy our home. Melatonin is short acting and limited in usefulness and we can not afford other long term medication. Would a crate be useful at this age? I am worried that she would hurt herself if she flipped out and tried pawing a the bars. The things she tears up are covered in blood from her teeth and she has pulled out a nail on the window frame before. (Her nail, not a construction nail).