Anxiety/barking

[CVC]

I just thought of this: why not get a small battery powered recorder and just leave it on record when you leave the house. It can be placed in any room and typically will turn itself of and off when it hears any sound.

Just a thought

Let us know if this works out

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by joeyandtanksmom

Thanks again The cup game is fun. The massage works - it puts him right to sleep....until I walk towards the door. Then he begins the barking again. whenever I leave, I say "mommy loves you" in a happy voice. Should I stop that? It's whether I leave for 30 seconds or 8 hours...so I don't think they're tying it to me being gone all day. I just don't know. It makes me almost cry whenever I hear it. It's frustrating, it's sad, and I just hate it..you know? I wish I didn't have to leave him, but that wouldn't be fixing anything.

I don't see anything wrong with saying "mommy loves you." You probably already do, but say it at other times too so that Joey connects it with positive or desirable experiences.

I know it's tough leaving them and they are masters at making us feel guilty. When I'm leaving my boys, they curl up in their beds and watch me with big sad eyes. Focus on the joy of returning home and the happy greetings. Hang in there!

[joeyandtanksmom]

haha, oh yes, I say it all the time! I will maybe say it a bit more, like when they get their denta stix every day...maybe that'll help it be a positive thing? Hopefully! We are hanging in there, but it's rough - especially when he does so well one day and the next it's back to square one. but we'll get there Thanks for everything

[DiamondLouise]

I calmly put them in their area, gave them their chewies, and walked towards the garage, and my once exhausted Joey started barking like he was being tortured...When I leave they have toys, water, and chewies (sometimes), so it's not like their locked up with nothing to do...I will try some of the things you guys have suggested, but I would love to hear more - my little boy needs serious help![/QUOTE]


Do you crate train? If not, you might want to invest in a crate that's just big enough for joey to fit and turn around in...make it his home and comfort area and it might help with the separation anxiety.

If anyone has any tips or suggestions for car anxiety or overexcitement anxiety, I would love to hear them!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by DiamondLouise

Do you crate train? If not, you might want to invest in a crate that's just big enough for joey to fit and turn around in...make it his home and comfort area and it might help with the separation anxiety.

If anyone has any tips or suggestions for car anxiety or overexcitement anxiety, I would love to hear them!

I calmed Max in the car using deep breathing, like yoga breathing. He would bark at motorcycles, school buses, trucks, and pedestrians, and he would pant heavily. Now he enjoys car rides.

You could also try calming music. I like "Through a Dog's Ear" and I'm going to order the driving edition.

Trainer Victoria Stilwell from "It's Me or the Dog" recommends varying the routine of getting into the car. Try parking your car differently at your home, perhaps backwards in your driveway if you normally park forward. Get in the passenger door and slowly move over to the driver's side. Silly changes like these may help eliminate some of the triggers for a dog's anxiety and barking.

[DiamondLouise]

That's a great suggestion of varying the car routine, but I'm in a wheelchair and have to get in the same way everytime. But I will try parking differently. Diamond is now sometimes jumping in on her own, so I'll try that more. It just seems like when the engine starts, she starts shaking.

[QuickSilver]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I calmed Max in the car using deep breathing, like yoga breathing. He would bark at motorcycles, school buses, trucks, and pedestrians, and he would pant heavily. Now he enjoys car rides.

You could also try calming music. I like "Through a Dog's Ear" and I'm going to order the driving edition.

Trainer Victoria Stilwell from "It's Me or the Dog" recommends varying the routine of getting into the car. Try parking your car differently at your home, perhaps backwards in your driveway if you normally park forward. Get in the passenger door and slowly move over to the driver's side. Silly changes like these may help eliminate some of the triggers for a dog's anxiety and barking.

I'd forgotten about those episodes. VS recommended that you make it less obvious when you leave so they can't work themselves up so much. Get your keys, then sit on the floor. Open the door, close it, get a drink of water. Put on your shoes at random times when you're not planning to leave.

Since you posted this in the Health section... I would also recommend a trip to the vet for a consult on anti-anxiety meds. Separation anxiety can be very difficult to fix, and in an extreme case, you may need some extra help for the training to sink in.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by DiamondLouise

That's a great suggestion of varying the car routine, but I'm in a wheelchair and have to get in the same way everytime. But I will try parking differently. Diamond is now sometimes jumping in on her own, so I'll try that more. It just seems like when the engine starts, she starts shaking.

Just vary your routine in as many ways as possible that suit you. If Diamond doesn't suffer car sickness, try giving her a little treat when you start the engine and use a high, happy voice to speak to her -- calmly and confidently so as not to add to her excitement.