Nicole Wilde is a highly regarded dog trainer whose books and DVDs are top notch. Separation anxiety is a common canine problem, and it can be a huge problem for owners. Wilde shares her own experiences with her dog Sierra, a shelter rescue dog. Near the end of the book, she says:

As I write this, it is exactly seven months from the day we brought Sierra home. I won’t say she’s completely “cured,” but for a dog who’s been through so much in her short life, it’s a major improvement… Sierra is finally at the point where she can remain relaxed for a few hours while we are gone. We still wouldn’t leave her alone for a full day, and we can all live with that.

How did they get to that point? The book’s title includes “step by step” and the steps take you through evaluating the situation, for example, figuring out if the dog has separation problems regarding one particular person (our LarryDog has that with me) or whether it’s “isolation distress” that anyone being there can ease. (I think our Lola has this kind, but will try one of the tests recommended to see.)

Wilde has a lot of ideas for when you have to leave your dog or dogs home alone. She suggests methods that you first try out for very brief periods and later extend.

Also, nutrition, being sure your dog gets enough exercise, making a schedule for playdates and other social events for your dog, and using medications under veterinary care are all covered. Thee’s a great section called “The Alone Zone” on where your dog will be when you are out — in a crate or section of your home or yard. She talks about the routine leading up to your departure; notice which parts cause anxiety.

That text link at the start of this article takes you to its page on Dogwise, where I got it as an ebook and have been reading it on my laptop. They have it there as a paperback too. Clicking on its image will take you to Amazon where it’s a paperback and you can read a lot of very favorable reviews. (Prices are identical at the two places.) If you have a dog with separation anxiety, this is the best resource so do check it out!

Don’t Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety by Nicole Wilde is a post from: Training Dogs Blog

Basically, two young women from our neighborhood here in Mexico (by Lake Chapala) lived in our house while we were gone. They have several teenage brothers who would sometimes stop by to visit. Now Larry used to be pretty nervous about teenage boys, but when the young women or the boys have come by since to visit us, Larry has eagerly greeted them all. Seems he got a lot of loving attention from the whole family, and did just fine!

We knew from past house-sitters that he bonds well with whoever lives here, and this just confirmed that. We had left some anti-anxiety herbal tablets for them to give the dog, and they used those too.

Now that we’ve added Lola, our 6 month old Rottweiler, I expect Larry will be more relaxed when we leave for short times… no trips planned soon!

Separation Anxiety: How LarryDog Did When We Traveled is a post from: Training Dogs Blog

When we were planning this trip, we had the choice between taking our car, a VW Jetta that doesn’t really have room for LarryDog and all the stuff we’ll be hauling, or our small motorhome, an older Toyota Dolphin. LarryDog has traveled a good bit in the motorhome, and he does okay. But every time one or the other of us would leave, the dog couldn’t relax. It must have been worse when both of us humans left. We realized that Larry will be less stressed (though perhaps more bored) by being at home, with nice people around. He’s bonded with a lot of different petsitters, and I’m sure he’ll like these new ones.

Of course, he’s not the only one with separation anxiety… I get some myself! Luckily, I don’t act it out in destructive ways, and it’s probably worse now in anticipation than it will be once we’re out having adventures!

Separation Anxiety, Dog and Human is a post from: Training Dogs Blog