Seperation anxiety - just to check I am doing the right things.....

[_Acolyte_]

I have changed some things with Flick to try and overcome her SA - just wanting to check if people think I am doing it right please?

When I go out, I no longer say 'see you tonight dogs' as I used to (yeah, I know, I am nuts

) - I just casually get ready for work, then go out without speaking.

When I come back from work both dogs are delighted to see me - I come in without speaking, put my bags down, get changed, and sit reading a magazine until they have calmed down. Flick usually lies down next to me on the sofa, and once they are both calm then I give them some fuss.

I am being more firm about Flick doing her business outside when I ask her to - when I put her outside in the evening now I stand out there with her (brrr!) and wait until she has done it, then praise her. Likewise I praise her effusively on a walk when she does anything then, morning or evening, to try and establish a 'routine' of when she should do her business and when she shouldnt.

Today I came home to just a wee, no poo this time, and a slightly chewed book. Could be worse I suppose

And last night for the first time she only woke me up twice when in the crate - I simply went downstairs, put her outside, then put her straight back into the crate and went to bed again.

Does this sound OK? Thanks!

 

[samstar]

You seem to be doing a grand job.
I'm booked in with the behavouralist on tuesday with my dog.
Her anxiety is really upsetting her and me.

 

[Louby]

Wow sounds like you are making progress, youve had some sleep

We too have changed our ways and hopefully we too have made a little progress. We put him in his cage and conservatory access, I went to get a DVD, hubby walked round the block (all in earshot) and no noise, ok it was only 10/15 mins but he was calm and quiet. Tonight I was upstairs, hubby had a bath and we put Boris in his crate, he had a couple of whines but was then quiet. It feels great doesnt it, just got to keep it up now

 

[_Acolyte_]

I must admit I am finding it SO hard to ignore them when I come in from work - I feel really mean, they are jumping up and down like lunatics as they are pleased to see me

But it must be done....

Sounds like you are doing well with Boris too (what a fab name BTW!!!) so keep posting, I am sure I can pick up some tips from you and maybe even vice versa

 

[CAYLA]

Sounds good........sometimes.....if I have a dog that is in the midst of crate training and toilet training......I come in.....and release said dog straight to garden and close door, this way they still dont assosiate me making a fuss, just the release to the passing motions area, I usually watch from window, and when motion is nearing an end, I open door and give a quick, good dog we wees command/instruction.....they usually perform immediately, then I let them in, let them settle, then nothing....

cos im a meanie.....no praise or anything....seeing the gorgeous sight of me is enough

But your routine sounds fine

 

[_Acolyte_]

[ QUOTE ]
You seem to be doing a grand job.
I'm booked in with the behavouralist on tuesday with my dog.
Her anxiety is really upsetting her and me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats not good Samstar - I hope the behaviouralist can help you work things out with her

 

[_Acolyte_]

Thanks Cala

I was momentarily confused when you tried to complicate matters, but so long as what I am doing is OK then I shall carry on doing it

Anyone any ideas how long this might take?

 

[severnmiles]

Not to confuse you Acolyte, but I think Shaun Ellis's 'take' on SA is very good, he's come up with a concept based on watching wolves and when the female begins to leave her young.

 

[Stinkbomb]

You sound like your doing fine!! Alfie is crated and the first few weeks we watched him through the window out of sight. He would howl for ages and paw at the crate, i felt so bad. A few weeks later he goes in the crate himself when he sees us putting our coats on, and when we come home and open the crate, he sometimes doesnt even come out!!

 

[samstar]

I'll let you know how we get on, on tuesday

 

[Louby]

I hope it goes well for you samstar.

Acolyte, Everyone laughed when we called him Boris but he really suits it, hubby reckons he should av been Norris though, from Coronation Street as he is just so nosey.

Also when he was a little pup we used to say wee wee like cala said and it definately works, hubby used to say poo poo too and I used to laugh but I was shot down as Boris used to poo pretty much when told too.