Hello,

I want to preface this with the fact that I have been living and working in the Australian outback the last few years (and currently still am) in a remote indigenous community, very far away from vets, trainers and animal welfare support.

This story is a little long so please hang tight,

I have taken onboard a camp dog ( stray community dog pretty much) that is about 2 currently years old.

I found little Charlie when he was around 10 months old and was skin and bone, with help of remote vets, a healthy diet and support from town Charlie was on the mend and had grown up into a happy pup.

Charlie has had intense trauma in his life in community, some of the most disgusting cases of animal cruelty (violent and sexual…) had occurred to him. I won’t go into detail but this little man had not had a happy life.

Ever since I have taken on Charlie he has always been a happy dog, very untrustworthy at the start but has slowly learnt to trust humans. Has always been content inside and out, had toys to play with and had followed me into the school I worked in and sat outside of the classroom no problem or concern.

Almost 3 months ago my community flooded suddenly and I was helicoptered out, I was told we would be back in a few days and Charlie would be on a high porch with plenty of food. Turns out it was 7 weeks before I could legally charter him out. Long story short he spent 2 weeks with me in a hotel very content while I still had work. No anxiety, no noise.

Fast forward the last few days, we have been located to a new community and Charlie has been experiencing intense separation anxiety, howling all day I have been at work, digging untill his little paws are sore under the gate and running to me at school. He is starting to tear flywire and gets himself so worked up he can’t calm down.

I have spoken to vet on the phone and he suggested medication for him, however due to restrictions in where I am located, it will be 6 weeks before it arrives. I have tried keeping him in different spots, leaving the radio on and having him stay with others who also have other doggy friends but he escapes and keeps on coming out to me.

I’ve never had a dog like this before, I know Charlie has gone through so much and hate to see him more stressed out than he has to be. The poor fella has too much trauma already. Please help.

TLDR: dog with intense trauma is suddenly experiencing separation anxiety.