Separation Anxiety

[Alberta Hanko]

This is a reminder about staying consistent with our dogs. Linus, who has had some SA in the past, and was really anxious when my DH was in the hospital two years ago, does very nicely now when we are coming and going. We always leave a Buster Cube, a Kong or some fun food type thing and quietly go out. We were going to a birthday thing the other day, and my Granddaughter was here with us. We were getting ready to leave, and DH was getting agitated (he always feels bad about leaving Linus) and started in with "Sorry Linus" along with a lot of talk, rather than the simple, put the cube down and off we go quietly without any fanfare, and you know it--Linus was at the door, about as small as a 55 pound dog can get, stuffed into the corner where it opens, UGH. I quietly blocked him, no words, got out with GD, and left DH with this mess of a dog. When we were backing out of the driveway I could hear Linus howling (and he really never howls) as if he was being torn into small pieces--which I am sure emotionally he was.

Lesson learned? I hope so.

Alberta & Linus (who did fine today with a quiet leavetaking)

[Luciann]

Well i know the feeling, thou i am not sure that it is SA that causes Frodo to howl if i linger to long in the mornings, i think it is that he just wants to go too.

if i don't get up get ready and leave he will sit in the window and howl and then Tika joins in, if i linger to long in the mornings i have to take them for a ride around the block just before i have to leave and they are fine....but i understand the guilty feeling of leaving them and all when they do this.

and lord forbid i forget something and have to go back in for anything, that just makes it worse they throw a fit if i don't pull out of the drive and leave immediately

[Sheryl]

That reminds me so much of my previous dog Harley. And of just how important it is to be consistent!! Thanks!