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Hi
I've a rescue terrier who is absolutely adorable.
I've had her for four months. Training is going well, with one hurdle, separation anxiety. Which is why I joined. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had a dog and found a solution.
I'll give anything a go.
 
There are a few things you can try; excuse me if you have already tried these. First get her used to you walking out of the room then immediately back in again, preferably when she is occupied with something like a Kong. Try to make no fuss, you don't want to prepare her into thinking "oh no this means they are going out" - the aim is for her to barely register you coming and going - ideally for her to have a 'oh, you're back, I didn't notice you leave' reaction. Very, very gradually build up time. This will be hard work but put the work in now and it will pay off later. If she gets distressed though you have gone too fast, and created anxiety and that is not what you want. Stair gates are also useful to allow her to see you pottering about in another room, but without being glued to your feet.

You can also reward independent behaviour - praise when your dog is not actively engaged with you, which is actually quite hard to remember to do because we sort of don't notice when it happens!

There are other things you can do like picking up keys and putting on outdoor clothes then not actually going out, to desensitise her to the triggers that signal you leaving.

An Adaptil diffuser releases calming hormones in the house and might also help.

If you want to speak to a behaviourist, Emma Judson is one of the UK's experts in SA and she can do online consultations at a very reasonable rate.

www.thecanineconsultants.com
 
Hi, i am able to help with this topic. you can use Adaptil plug ins and collars or even lavender essential oil, but this link basically explains everything that i would put hope it helps- Separation Anxiety
 
There are a few things you can try; excuse me if you have already tried these. First get her used to you walking out of the room then immediately back in again, preferably when she is occupied with something like a Kong. Try to make no fuss, you don't want to prepare her into thinking "oh no this means they are going out" - the aim is for her to barely register you coming and going - ideally for her to have a 'oh, you're back, I didn't notice you leave' reaction. Very, very gradually build up time. This will be hard work but put the work in now and it will pay off later. If she gets distressed though you have gone too fast, and created anxiety and that is not what you want. Stair gates are also useful to allow her to see you pottering about in another room, but without being glued to your feet.

You can also reward independent behaviour - praise when your dog is not actively engaged with you, which is actually quite hard to remember to do because we sort of don't notice when it happens!

There are other things you can do like picking up keys and putting on outdoor clothes then not actually going out, to desensitise her to the triggers that signal you leaving.

An Adaptil diffuser releases calming hormones in the house and might also help.

If you want to speak to a behaviourist, Emma Judson is one of the UK's experts in SA and she can do online consultations at a very reasonable rate.

www.thecanineconsultants.com
Hi
I've tried all of those. :(
She has gone from sitting beside me when I'm at the toilet, to yesterday letting me bathe alone for 30 minutes. Which i was super chuffed with.
It's when I leave the house she now has the issue with. I went to the shop for 27 minutes today, and she barked the whole time (I videoed her).
I also want to be able to leave her in a kennel/doggie day care at some stage.
 
have you tried lavender oil in the food?

Most reliable sources I've found say that you should never add lavender essential oil to a dog's food or water - do you have any reputable sources that say otherwise?

If you're trying to leave her for 27 minutes, that's far too much for her right now. You really want to start by never leaving her at all, but desensitising her to cues such as picking up your keys, putting your coat on. Then walking to the door, then opening the door and closing it again, then walking out and straight back in, then going out, shutting the door behind you and coming straight back in, then staying outside for 2 seconds, then 5 seconds... This may take days or weeks, and it may be a long time before you can leave her long enough to do anything useful other than take the bin out, but working within her comfort zone is key to getting there in the end.

It might be that she's ready for doggy day care now, which will make it easier for you to get a bit of respite as she won't be on her own there. But it's obviously important to find one that is right for her and where she's happy.

An excellent book on SA is I'll Be Home Soon by Patricia McConnell.
 
dogs are more sensitive to essential oils than humans are. Essential oils should always be used diluted, even when just inhaling. This is important to remember, as we humans don’t dilute when inhaling.
Essential Oils for Dogs
 
Most reliable sources I've found say that you should never add lavender essential oil to a dog's food or water - do you have any reputable sources that say otherwise?

If you're trying to leave her for 27 minutes, that's far too much for her right now. You really want to start by never leaving her at all, but desensitising her to cues such as picking up your keys, putting your coat on. Then walking to the door, then opening the door and closing it again, then walking out and straight back in, then going out, shutting the door behind you and coming straight back in, then staying outside for 2 seconds, then 5 seconds... This may take days or weeks, and it may be a long time before you can leave her long enough to do anything useful other than take the bin out, but working within her comfort zone is key to getting there in the end.

It might be that she's ready for doggy day care now, which will make it easier for you to get a bit of respite as she won't be on her own there. But it's obviously important to find one that is right for her and where she's happy.

An excellent book on SA is I'll Be Home Soon by Patricia McConnell.
I've done that also,and she's definitely not ready for day care. I tried her at one this morning. She leaped over the fence and chased after me.
 

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