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Originally Posted by LuvBunni ...I've tried squirting her with water and saying no but she just thinks its fun. I just can't seem to discipline her, or distract her when we leave. .. |
What is she doing that requires discipline?
Hopefully, you aren't trying to discipline her for whining when one of you leaves. If so, please stop. You are adding to her stress.
You've been given some
excellent suggestions. A filled Kong (especially if frozen) will last for quite some time. I suggest that you use that for longer absences while, at the same time, desensitizing her to the leaving process as Joy (Yorkie Mum) suggested. I'll summarize that process again for you:
Get your shoes on (or get your keys or whatever you do before leaving that cues her she's about to be left). If she's okay with that, give her a treat and go back to what you were doing. Repeat several times.
Now, do the above and go to the door. If she's calm, treat that. Walk back and sit down. Repeat.
Then go back to the door touch the handle. If calm, treat that. Repeat.
Next, open the door. Calm? treat. Go back and sit down. Repeat.
Next, open the door, step out and immediately come back in. Treat that. Repeat.
Continue gradually increasing until you can get to the trash and back with her remaining calm. Treat. Repeat.
Any time that she whines, ignore her whining. A little while later, go back a couple of steps and work on that for around 5 to 10 times.
Proceed very slowly! Repeat each step over and over before advancing.
While you are working on this, use the filled Kong when you actually have to leave. You might also see if you can find some DAP spray which is supposed to be calming to dogs.
If, at any time, she starts whining again, do not discipline her. Just come back and ask for more help, okay?