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Anxiety

2K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  Stella's mom 
#1 ·
The purpose of this thread is to come together to help people who have to be away from their dog for work or other means, to be able to help their dog not suffer from separation anxiety.
To be honest most of us who have had Dobermans for many years have had not the best most optimum situation. I have always lived in the country and worked in the city. Meaning I couldn't just run home during the middle of the day. When I got married many years ago just like today both have to work.
So what did I do to help our dogs not suffer from separation anxieties? Keeping in mind that we were also heavy involved in rescue so at times there were a ridiculous amount of dogs at our house.
from puppy stage we never say good bye to our pups when leaving the house and don't greet them or let them greet us upon arriving back home. This makes leaving and coming back home no big deal. Also when they were pups as well as the rescues we would when they were new with us take whole days and do nothing but leave and come back. Dogs don't see time the same as we do. step outside the door, wait and walk back in. Making these times longer and longer. drive out the drive, go to the corner store and drive back, come back in the house hang out for a bit and do it again.
I have never had a destructive dog while I was gone that didn't do the same thing while you were there, because they knew you were always coming back.

what have you done to help with anxiety problems. Keeping in mind that to bash those who do leave their dogs isn't helping them. give positive things that they can do to help cope with their situation.
 
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#2 ·
Exactly what I have done with all my dogs, and have also never had destructive dog, including those that were adult rescues.
I started with my present Dobe when she was young, little by little, and she has never shown separation anxiety when alone in the house. I also took her out in the rain to play when she was little, so she has no nervousness about going out pee in the rain. Same thing with thunderstorms, I never acted as though anything unusual was going on so grew up ignoring the noise.
 
#3 ·
The purpose of this thread is to come together to help people who have to be away from their dog for work or other means, to be able to help their dog not suffer from separation anxiety.
To be honest most of us who have had Dobermans for many years have had not the best most optimum situation. I have always lived in the country and worked in the city. Meaning I couldn't just run home during the middle of the day. When I got married many years ago just like today both have to work.
This will be a good thread. Life changes, new jobs, new partners, new homes, etc. Our dobes sometimes end up having to be alone for 8+ hours per day. Having them being able to deal with separation makes a big difference as most people cannot have someone home ALL the time. If that was the prerequisite, then nobody would be able to own a dobe unless they were retired and/or worked out of their homes.

Life is short and waiting until your 65 years old (not everyone makes it to that age) to own a dog would be ridiculous and a lost opportunity.
 
#4 ·
Just like with people who have different disorders. We don't put our aim on accommodating the disorder but rather, in controlling or in cure. In extreme cases of dogs who have anxiety, medication can even be prescribed. I have never had any that through behavior modification couldn't be taken care of. I also know of several that work their dogs heavy in the morning before work so as to tire them out. this works good especially when you are working with younger dogs. And if you are one of the ones who can come home during the mid day time you can work them hard again and they will probably spend most of their time sleeping.
I don't accommodate dogs that are afraid of sounds or people but rather from a young age expose them to all sorts of stimuli.
 
#5 ·
At what age is taking a puppy out and about to see different sights, sounds and people OK? after 10 weeks old?

I know socialization is key as a pup. Hence taking them to stores like HD or other places that allow pets. Exposing them to sounds, vacuum cleaners, noise, etc.
 
#6 ·
we start off with rides in the vehicle right off. You want to be mindful of your pups vaccinations. So that will initially limit where you are able to take your pup. So initially we limit it to places we know are safe. But we start as soon as the pup is in our possession. For the pup we have now it was easy we picked her up south of Houston and drove back to north of Tallahassee. and any pups that were born at our house exposing them to different situations started shortly after birth.
 
#8 ·
When they haven't had all their vaccinations yet, I take them to every private place that I can. Friends who own business, Take them to the office with me. when my wife goes to the store I go and sit in my truck with the pup next to the road. Then when the pup is older and had all their shots, I walk the streets with them. I stay away from dog parks or areas where there are a lot of strays. We take our pup from an early age to kennel club meetings every month. be inventive. I take them with me to gun ranges. The more varied the better. My current pup has so much confidence. I don't think you could shake her.
 
#9 ·
I make my leaving a fun thing, but filling the kong wobbler with stella's favorite treats. That is the only time she gets the wobbler is when I leave. If she sees me getting my purse she runs to the laundry room and sits in front of the cupboard waiting for the wobbler. I will also hide treats around the house. She seems to think me leaving is a fun game. I do always greet her on my return. I don't go nuts about it, but I always acknowledge her with a greeting and a head pat.
 
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