Update on bitch

[leosmum]

Thanks to all the replies and advice given on my other thread....i can now go for a pee without her trying to sit on my lap, still whines a wee bit when door closed, i can now go into kitchen and shut door behind me...she just backs up the hall till she can see me through glass then sits and watches, again still whines at me.
So a new problem...it seems she has no probs whatsoever with my OH leaving room/house he can come and go when and where he likes as far as she is concerned, just ignores him, its me she has the problem with, so im not sure now if this is classed as seperation anxiety or not as i would have thought its the whole being alone thing that triggers it, Oh can be sitting in the room with me but i i leave she goes nuts and if OH tries to hold her while i go out she struggles like crazy.
So can i pick more brains on what she is doing/thinking please. Many thanks.

 

[CAYLA]

It's still a seperation based anxiety, it's jsut solely for u, as opposed to being left, so maybe u need to allow your OH to spend some time with her, otherwise occupying her mind....see what would happen if he took her for a walk and you where not there when they arrived back home and he proceeded to leave her for a short period by hang close by the hosue and listen for her making noise or see if there is any destruction? this may be interesting to see if she would

A, settle
B, become anxious for his return

Ps also try not to get him to hold her back when u leave the room this will heighten her anxiety, either block her access to being near the dog, hence blocking her view till she moves away from the door if she jumps up or proceeds to scratch it, if she jsut sits at the door, ignore her altogether or try and get him to distract her with a positive, so squeeky toy or yummy treat (butchers bone) she can knaw on to occupy her mind.
She has simply bonded with you and trusts you, after so many homes it's not too suprising, u need to distance yourself but remain a sourse of support, i.e more walks, play and mental stimulation than cuddles, and letting her follow u all over the house, I think baby gates are a good way to go....if you go up stairs, she has to stay down, if u leave the living room, she has to stay behind, u have to condition her her u will return, but no fuss when u do, and if she will take a bone or kong to occupy her the better if not then u have to be firm and ride it out to create a routine ready for u to leave her.

 

[leosmum]

Thanks CAYLA, will try that, in fact im working tonight till sun night so will be interesting to see how her eve goes just her and him, wont see her till 8am so do i make a real fuss of her when i come home in morn or just a luke warm greeting?

 

[CAYLA]

Zilt....walk in as if she is not even there............let her out to the garden for her business or simply let her settle a further 10 mins or so and when she is settled, offer a her a treat a non over the top stroke.
If she jumps up, ignore her or any advance to get your attention as you walk in the door.
She must never assosiate your return home as a huge deal and over the topness, otherwise she will remain anxious for your return and the fuss you make of her.
Make sure both you and hubby, create a routine where she cannot follow u everywhere u go, just to confuse her, get up to leave the room, then jsut sit back down, no fuss, also try and learn her "on your bed" command so when one leaves the room u can use it to command her to her bed rather than her making a bee line for the door.

 

[leosmum]

Thanks.
Think i must be the confused one...i have gotten up as if to leave and sat down again so many times im not even sure if i was genuinely getting up to do something lol.

 

[CAYLA]