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 Extreme Separation Anxiety!

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twizyy
Newborn
Newborn
twizyy

Female Join date : 2013-12-14
Location : NJ

Extreme Separation Anxiety!  Empty
PostSubject: Extreme Separation Anxiety!    Extreme Separation Anxiety!  EmptySat Dec 14, 2013 8:03 pm

Hey everyone! Hopefully I can get some advice or suggestions on this matter..!
My Girl's name is Nakita, and she's 4 years old now. And really does suffer from a bad case of separation anxiety! And I'm just not sure what to do or how to help her ease through it. I've tried many different ways, even bringing her with me if I have to leave somewhere. But even then when she just starts to freak out like crazy...
I just hate seeing her so distressed all the time.. Please, Any advice on the subject is welcomed! Thank you!!
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GingerDog
Puppy
Puppy
GingerDog

Female Join date : 2013-02-03
Location : Colorado

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PostSubject: Re: Extreme Separation Anxiety!    Extreme Separation Anxiety!  EmptySat Dec 14, 2013 10:47 pm

Separation anxiety is hard. I would definitely recommend working with a behaviorist/trainer who can be there and asses the situation as it applies to you ant your dog (every one is different). If she is severe enough, you may also need to talk to your vet about anti-anxiety meds (dogs can take prozac!) to take the edge off- at least in the beginning.

Here is some things you can try, though. Ideally you will have to keep her from having any episodes at first.

Start by teaching her a "place" command. Get a bed or blanket and start teaching her to lay down on it. Give her treats and make it a good place. Start telling her to go to her place and leaving her there for increasingly longer times. Work up to being able to leave the room and having her stay there (this will take some time). You can use these same techniques to make a kennel a safe place.

Also, evaluate what sets her off. Make a table and rate her reactions from 1-5. For example, when you brush your teeth in the morning is she laying on the floor relaxed? call it a 1. When you get dressed, maybe she's focused on you and getting clingy. That may be a 3. When you sit to put your shoes on she starts whining and goes full meltdown when you pick up your keys. Maybe 4 and 5. After you can identify what sets her off, start to randomly do the things that worry her. Sit down and put your shoes on, then watch tv or pick up your keys and do something else around the house. Ignore her until she is calm.

You should also keep her well exercised, a tired dog is a happy dog! Mental stimulation is very important, so walk her off your property as often as possible. Also interactive toys and training sessions are good ideas.
Also be aware of your reactions to her. Don't reward her for a behavior you don't want. If she whines and you pet her to comfort her, all she knows is that she whined and you payed attention to her. Next time she will repeat and escalate to get the same reaction. Wait until she offers a behavior you want and then reward her.



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twizyy
Newborn
Newborn
twizyy

Female Join date : 2013-12-14
Location : NJ

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PostSubject: Re: Extreme Separation Anxiety!    Extreme Separation Anxiety!  EmptySun Dec 15, 2013 8:34 pm

Thank you for that advice! I will definitely be trying out what you said.
I would certainly bring her to the vet to talk about the meds, or the trainer/behaviorist.. Unfortunately though I'm going through some financial troubles and am unable to do so. Sad

I will, however, put in my best effort to teaching her 'place'. I'll gladly update on her progress as how she is doing! Smile

I would do the crate training, but her history, she see's the crate as more of a bad place than a good place. She was caged the first 2 years of her life, barely being able to go out to even use the bathroom. (Which I believe led to she not liking when her feet are touched. (That's just a hunch))
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kelly_m019
Newborn
Newborn
kelly_m019

Female Join date : 2014-01-16
Location : Prince Edward Island, Canada

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PostSubject: Re: Extreme Separation Anxiety!    Extreme Separation Anxiety!  EmptyThu Jan 16, 2014 2:15 pm

I actually found that the Thunder Jacket helped with my dogs anxiety. I also have him crate trained, so I think it was in combination of both. But might be worth a try if you haven't or trying it with other means to help stop anxiety.

http://www.thundershirt.com/Product/Thundershirt.aspx?item_guid=ad60b946-f758-45e2-a589-331dda09637e
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