going back to work/ Zoey has separation anxiety bad... help

[Guest Anonymous]

My manchester toy terrier is so attached to me and I am going back to work in three days, she barks constantly when I leave the house I am trying to ween her and it is not working.. I live in a twin and the neighbors are complaining with the bark.... There are no doggie daycares where I leave and I do not believe in the no bark collar... Help any suggestion..

[Holz_Boomer]

:-? sounds like ur puppy adores you so much! (of course :D ) im not sure what u can do in that situation...any friends who can help ya out on this one? for instance, looking after ur fur-baby while ur working? sorry i know that didnt really help but all i can do is Hope for the best :D :angel:

[ferky1]

There are a ton of articles on the following website dealing with specific behavioral problems, including separation anxiety. Check them out.

http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-prob.htm#sep

Here are some tips from the Canines of the World Website:


Plan Your Exit
When it is time to leave, just leave. Do not say "Good bye" to your dog with hugs and kisses. In fact, ignore your dog for five minutes before you go. Paying too much attention will make your dog feel more insecure when the attention is abruptly withdrawn.


Leave a Distraction
Prepare a "Bye-Bye" bone. Purchase a sterilized; hollow bone from the pet store. Fill it with goodies such as dried liver pet treats, beef jerky, peanut butter, cheese or other things your dog really likes. Keep it hidden and take it out when you leave each day. Place it near your dog just before you close the door. When you arrive home, poke the goodies left in the bone out so your dog gets them. Then put the bone away. The bone only comes out when you leave. We are attempting to distract your dog with something that he will find interesting enough to concentrate on your leaving. Hopefully, he will appreciate the bone so much that he will look forward to it coming out in place of getting upset with your leaving.


Confine Your Dog When You Are Away
Confining your dog during your times of absence has two positive results. First, a dog who is confined to a carrier or crate cannot do damage to your home. Secondly, a crate, when properly introduced, will act as a safe, comfortable den where the dog can relax. Limiting his movement also acts as an anxiety reducer for most dogs.


Leave the Radio On
Tune a radio to a talk station, put it on in a room you are often in, the bedroom is usually a good choice, and close the door. The dog will hear the human voices from your room and may not feel so alone. I have had some clients tape record their own voices and play the recording in place of the radio program. Dogs know the sound of your voice all too well. And remember, since the dog is most anxious just after you leave, a one hour recording will most probably do.


Practice This Training Routine
With most dogs, the hardest time for them is immediately after you leave. Their anxious (and sometimes destructive) behavior occurs within the first hour after they are left alone. It will be your job to reshape your dog's behavior through reinforcement training. Leave your dog out of his crate, put your coat on, walk to the door and leave. Come back in immediately. Greet your dog calmly. Tell him to sit. When he does, reinforce this behavior with a food treat he enjoys. Wait a few minutes and then repeat the exercise, this time remaining outside a few seconds longer. Continue practicing leaving and returning over the next few weeks, always remembering to return, greet your dog calmly and command him to sit before offering a treat.


Establish Your Leadership
When a dog has a strong leader, it has a calming effect on him. He feels safe and taken care of. In the absence of a strong leader, your dog feels obligated to assume that position in the social hierarchy of the family pack. Since a leader must control all that goes on, his inability to control your leaving causes him stress and anxiety. I had a case with a male Lhasa Apso who would bite at an owner's leg each morning when she attempted to leave for work. He would exhibit dominant behavior to try to stop his owner from leaving which would then cause him stress which he wished to avoid. Obedience training is the best organized method of establishing yourself as a strong leader.


Exercise Your Dog
A dog who is lacking exercise is more likely to have stress and tension. Tiring a dog out with a long walk, run or with play goes a long way in reducing stress.

Good luck.

[DogPaddle]

Excellent suggestions!

[Shannon_C]

Hi Teresa.

Anxiety is a terrible thing for dogs, they always think your never going to return. You could try going out for 5 minutes then go back in the house so that she see's your still there and not left her, then do the same for 10 minutes and so on. (If she is kept in her own room) Walk in to the room you are in most of the time but not her's and don't say a word to her, be a quiet as you can for at least 10 minutes or whatever you prefer.....this will sociate it when you do have to go out, there won't be any noise heard.
While you are sitting there, have a listen by the wall for any crying or whining etc, ignore it.
Try going out again still ignoring her and so on but don't make any attempts to praise her in anyway and see how she goes :D

Good Luck.