Housebound due to dog's separation/isolation anxiety

tiz

I imagine it's quite an ingrained habit by now so you'll need to do it in tiny steps, expect to back slide sometimes and look at the long term picture e.g. progress over weeks/months. It might help to keep daily notes so you can look back when it feels like you aren't getting anywhere and see the progress you've made.

Whilst you're working on it you probably do need to avoid leaving her other than your training so borrow my dog could be an option for occasional time out - if they just want a few hours a week that still gives you shopping time. Might be worth looking on local facebook groups and seeing if you can find people that way to avoid fees. How is she with other dogs? Perhaps there is an owner in the same position as you nearby who would love to trade a few hours or a days dog care so you have both dogs while they can get out to shop and vis versa.

When you do go back to work try shopping around for licensed home boarders some do day care too and depending where you are it would be around £15-20 per day but you may get a discount for long term booking. You'll save if you find somewhere on route you can drop her off at too, rather then paying for collection.

gettingready

When you do go back to work try shopping around for licensed home boarders some do day care too and depending where you are it would be around £15-20 per day but you may get a discount for long term booking. You'll save if you find somewhere on route you can drop her off at too, rather then paying for collection.

This is what I was doing for the past few years as I could afford it but not any longer. Zara was being picked up and dropped off - I do not drive and public transport in rush hour with a 40kg dog is not possible.

I will keep a diary from tomorrow just to keep track of things - but I feel I need a miracle here to be honest

Person_one

gettingready wrote: »

This is what I was doing for the past few years as I could afford it but not any longer. Zara was being picked up and dropped off - I do not drive and public transport in rush hour with a 40kg dog is not possible.

I will keep a diary from tomorrow just to keep track of things - but I feel I need a miracle here to be honest

No you don't, you need hard work, time, patience, consistency and a little knowledge. I firmly believe there is no behaviour problem that can't be overcome if you have those five things. Unfortunately most of us are missing at least one or two of them a lot of the time, but you have an opportunity here to have all them lined up and to really tackle this for the sake of your dog who I know you love and who is suffering.

Its not easy, it will drive you mad at several points over the next few weeks, but if you dedicate yourself to sorting this you can do it before you start your next job.

Keep us updated on here if it helps.

gettingready

Sorted, Person One is moving in with us for a bit

Honestly, I am so absolutely shattered with this. I appreciate all the input from everyone but when I say I have tried it all already I am not negating suggestions, I really mean I have tried it all.

But perhaps not in a correct way so lets see how it all goes from tomorrow.

Right now time for an evening walk which again is a challenge as there is so many foxes around and seeing them (they do not run off, they sit and stare at us walking) Zara is going psycho. No way to avoid them as they are all over. And it is a residential road but...

Person_one

gettingready wrote: »

Sorted, Person One is moving in with us for a bit

Honestly, I am so absolutely shattered with this. I appreciate all the input from everyone but when I say I have tried it all already I am not negating suggestions, I really mean I have tried it all.

Trying it all when you're also trying to work full time and when the dog is with somebody else for a huge chunk of the week is very different though. You have a much better chance of success when its just you and her working intensively on this one issue.

Watch some Victoria Stilwell programmes for inspiration!

On a related note, is Zara getting enough exercise and mental stimulation? She's a GSD isn't she so I presume needs pretty high levels of both?

bouicca21

She's not treat motivated, how about a squeaky toy? Not that the squeak ever lasts long ...

gettingready

Zara is 10.5, she had double hip replacement, both cruciates operated on, spine problems.

Mentally she is nowhere near her age but physically she can not do as much as she would like to.

So that is yet another dilemma I have - how to get her tired without affecting her joints/hips/spine.

She was on Onsior for a long time, just switched to Opokan (Meloxicamum) and sometimes I top it up with Gapapentin. She also gets Yumove tablets. I tried the turmeric paste but there was no real difference in her and it was nearly impossible to get her to have it even with raw meat etc so Yumove it is.

When we go for a walk she seems to have an OCD as she will always stop in same spots to lie down and has "her route" via the park which if I try to change/vary - she acts like a stubborn mule digging her paws in.

Yeah squeeky kong balls last 5 minutes on a walk which is a shame as she really likes those. But I do not imagine neighbours would LOL

gettingready

This is my 40kg of headache - love her to bits

Person_one

What does her vet say about what level of activity/exercise is appropriate? My dog who has had two cruciate repairs is as mobile as ever, but I have no experience with hip or spine issues.

Have you tried the puzzle games for dogs? Things like hide and seek with toys or treats? Things to keep her brain occupied?

gettingready

It is the spine that is a worry...

Yes, we got puzzles - Nina Otson ones

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Dogs/Nina-Ottosson-Dog-Tornado-Activity/B001KZ8FWE/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1485988968&sr=1-4&keywords=dog+puzzle+toys

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nina-Ottosson-Dog-Brick-Activity/dp/B001KZ4WJE/ref=sr_1_15?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1485989014&sr=1-15&keywords=dog+puzzle+toys