how to eliminate seperation anxiety

[Guest Anonymous]

my wife, Angela and I just got back from a camping wedding with our dog Karma. She is a 4 yr old 3/4 black lab 1/4 border collie (we think!).

Karma has an instense love for angela. everytime Ang leaves karma. karma goes nuts with whining and barking.

We were both in the wedding party and karma whined throughout most of the ceremony b/c she couldnt be right beside angela. (the wedding took place on a beach).

then if ang wanted to take a shower etc w/o the dog glued to her side we would have to tie karma to a tree. i was with her all the time but she still would whine like crazy.

any tips as to how we can train her out of this?

this weekend showed me that karma needs training in this regard desparately!! :Dog_run: :n00b:

[piperstubbys]

This doesn't work for all dogs but does for a lot of them and it is what we have done for our dogs.

We get a Kong, or Butcher bone (all depends on the breed and if they can crack the butcher bone, Kongs are safer) and fill it with something yummy, usually canned food, sometimes add a little peanut butter or cheese whiz. Put them in their kennel (if you kennel them) and give it to them. Let them get one good lick and then take it away. Give it back and walk towards the door, go take it back again. Give it back and go to the door, pick up your car keys or whatever, put them down and go take it away again. Make this process last about 10 minutes and then finally leave. By the time you go and they get to keep their yummy they are so happy you aren't there anymore to take it away from them they don't care if you are gone at all. This worked wonders for our Pit. Didn't work so great with my GSD but he was overly severe with his separation anxiety and not very food modivated. I think I saw this on a morning talk show on Animal Planet years ago but it works great. After a few times of leaving Piper with her yummy snack everytime we would get her Kong out she would run for her kennel and wait for me to bring it to her. Now we are down to just getting a little treat to kennel when we are leaving and no fussing. If you get more than one Kong or bone you can make a few and then freeze them or fridge them and they take a little longer for the dog to get the stuff out if they are at least chilled.

Sorry so long! Good Luck!
Also great to keep them quiet and calm if you have company or something to do quietly!

[imported_Cassie]

Here is an article for you to read.
Good luck :wink:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1551&articleid=2266