Molly's Separation Anxiety, part 2

May 27, 2009 -

Ok, I heard back from Debbie McKnight, our PetSmart Training Expert, and she gave me some really great tips (below) I'm going to try with Molly right away. I'll let you know what I try and how it works. Wish me luck!

Ten Tips to Stop Separation Anxiety

1) Try a comfort zone plug-in (DAP) or a DAP collar. It's fairly effective for mild anxiety. 2) Try Rescue Remedy, a flower essence available at health food stores, in her water. 3) Practice stay with distance, working up to out of sight stays. 4) Tie a kong to the back wall of her kennel filled with something fabulous so she has to lie in the kennel to chew on it. Be nearby and have the door open so she feels free to leave. 5) Feed her in the kennel (bowls at the back) with the door closed and open the door when she's done. Each time try to wait a tiny bit longer (i.e. seconds, maybe a minute) after she finishes eating but before you open the door. 6) Ignore her for 15 minutes before you leave and don't make a fuss over her when you come home. You'd like to make the difference between when you are there and when you are gone as slight as possible. 7) When she is hanging out with you, reward her for lying away from you. Many dogs with SA tend to touch their people (i.e. lying on their feet or something) all the time. 8) More exercise! She'll have less energy to be anxious with. 9) Her favorite treats/toys/etc. should occur in the kennel. You could even take her favorite bone and put it in the crate and shut the door with her not in it. Ideally, you'd like to see her wanting to get in the crate so she could get to it. 10) I hear the Manners Minder by Premier has a removable food bowl. It is a remote control treat dispenser. I have the old version and love it. Many people have taken off the food bowl, placed the device on top of the crate and then you can reward quiet in the crate without physically returning to her. It has a remote that will work up to 100 feet away and through walls (or at least the old one does). ~ Shana

Twitter: @shawniec and @PetSmartTLC

Facebook: PetSmart - Official Company Page