[viviansnickers]

Wow...I should have originally posted my thread on this page as it seems to be the place to be on quick response!! I will post here and also on my thread in the Training section.

Ok, I spoke to my connection, the behaviorist and boy was I glad I did. There are 5 things that need to happen all at the same time to help our babies get over Sep Anx. There are a few other things that go along with it and I am doing ALL OF THEM. It's hard but gotta do it!!

1. Desensitization- got through the motions of what you do when you leave (getting ready, makeup on, getting keys, jacket, shoes) the moment you see your dog react (follow you, cry, pace etc) stop and sit down, wait 3 min and start again. Do sets of 3, 3 min apart. Then wait 10 min and do again. Keep it up day after day until slowly your dog could care less about what you are doing. THIS TAKES WORK AND PATIENCE.
2. Positive association when you leave- give your dog something AMAZING when you leave. Something special, only given when you're leaving. We are trying something new-kong with cream cheese frozen. We tried it last night and it worked, he did not know we stepped out of door until he ate all the cheese. That's why we are freezing it, will take longer to get through. He has never had this treat and the newness is helping (not much yet).
3. Pharmaceutical support--all up to you. We are starting with DAP plug in and I also got some herbal supplements (neither have made a difference so far) and am THINKING about the prescription meds. She recommended Comicalm (sp?) and guaranteed me it would not hurt Snick. I believe her, just scared of the cost. They have seen a 65% recovery w/o meds, and a 30% (95% total) increase of recovery with meds.
4. Increase mental and physical exercise. Snick is now getting 2 walks a day as opposed to one. Mental exercise includes “Nothing is for free” training methods. Make your dog WORK for their food, no free feeding, no free treats, make him sit for everything. Etc. You can google this to learn more.
5. Clarify relation with your dog—BECOME PACK LEADER!! You decide when it’s play time, you decide when he eats, you decide when its time for him to come cuddle on couch, you decide when for everything. Don’t let your dog control you, you are the leader and your dog will respect you for it. I am guilty of this, I catered to Snickers and now I am paying for it.

A book that was recommended to me by the behaviorist was “I’ll Be Home Soon” by Patricia McConnell. I have ordered it off Amazon for 10 bucks.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!