[Darkmoon]

I was on another forum when it was suggested I try "48 hour Social Isolation" which before this person suggested it, I had never heard of it. It seems it came from the same person as NILIF.
http://k9deb.com/socialis.htm

Has anyone tried this before and if so, did it work? I'm in the process of going through it which is rough but if it works, I know it would be so worth it.

[Shaina]

I haven't actually done it, but it sounds like an interesting technique: thanks for sharing, and good luck.

[Love's_Sophie]

Originally Posted by Shaina

I haven't actually done it, but it sounds like an interesting technique: thanks for sharing, and good luck.

Sounds like a big 'jump start' for the NILIF, or atleast the first part of NILIF; the attention demanding\dominance roles. I think it could work if an owner is 'devout enough'...probably not for the 'first time owner' though, as this seems like something that would be used for problem dogs.

[TooneyDogs]

This is a last resort behavioral modification technique when all other traditional methods fail (NILF, short-term isolation, behavior shaping, basic training).
The technique is one of the toolsets sometimes used by certified behaviorists. This should not be done without first getting a full medical exam to rule out any underlying medical cause for the behavior(s). It must also be used with full knowledge of not only the benefits and how to achieve them but, also the downsides to this program...some of which can be increased aggression, howling, whining, barking, destructiveness and even self-mutilation.
As Deb points out, responding to any of these will set you up for failure if they are not handled with extreme care and knowledge.

[ChrissyBz]

I'm assuming that this is for the separation anxiety? How's it affecting/working so far? I must be really hard to pay NO attention whatsoever. I would have a really hard time remembering.

[Darkmoon]

Originally Posted by ChrissyBz

I'm assuming that this is for the separation anxiety? How's it affecting/working so far? I must be really hard to pay NO attention whatsoever. I would have a really hard time remembering.

You have NO CLUE how hard it is. Just a moment ago I got up to go use the bathroom, and I have Carter in the hallway since I'm trying to distance him from myself so that he feels better being left alone, and he was standing at the door wagging his tail so hard his butt was wagging too.

Its not just the separation anxiety, its also the resource guarding, the "I'll do a down when I want too", the constant walking up to you and trying to get your attention by any means necessary, and the "I don't care if your just walking 3 ft to grab something off of the desk, If you get up I'm following you". The last one is so bad that if I even stand up Carter jumps up and is ready to follow me. I love velcro dogs, but Carter takes it to a new extreme. It seems to be working though. When he tries to get my attention it is now to the point where he is trying really hard to do so. He has even gone as far to walk over to me and place his head on my lap (which is something he NEVER has done) and actually stayed there for a few minuets. He is now currently laying in the hallway half asleep.

I don't know how much longer I can do this for though. Its been 12 hours and it is killing me!

[Love's_Sophie]

STICK WITH IT!!!! Otherwise it won't work!! it will backslide if you 'give in'! I think you are getting to him already...especially if he is relaxing finally! Follow through! You can do it! Sending positive vibes for you!!!!

[Sugar Daddy Otis]

Hope this works for you- I have never heard of this!! I feel for you- it's gotta be hard ignoring your boy!! Let us know how it works for you!!

[Elana55]

I was thinking about you and Carter today. Wondering how you were doing, if you got a behabviorist in to help etc.

Please let us know if this works. sometimes very complicated problems cna have very simple solutions!

And, FWIW, GOOD LUCK. You CAN do this.. your dog's future may depend on it (if it works!).

[Darkmoon]

Originally Posted by Elana55

I was thinking about you and Carter today. Wondering how you were doing, if you got a behabviorist in to help etc.

Please let us know if this works. sometimes very complicated problems cna have very simple solutions!

And, FWIW, GOOD LUCK. You CAN do this.. your dog's future may depend on it (if it works!).

I did finally find a trainer that was willing to give it a try. I was suppose to go see her last Wednesday but the roads were so bad here for me to travel 45 mins to see her, she called me up and we decided to try again this Thursday. So on Thursday Carter goes to the trainer, then on Friday he goes back for a checkup at the Vet. Somehow I get the feeling my check is gone for the week. Thank goodness my fiancé's tax return was larger then expected and our next checks are "extra" money.

Thanks guys for the words of encouragement. This is hard for me and Carter. He is so thick headed I'm not sure if this will do anything besides make him try harder to get my attention. He doesn't like to give up easily on things. We will see on Tuesday what the results are.

[MegaMuttMom]

Oh, the head in the lap. Cherokee does this from time to time and it's the most heart-melting thing ever. He actually pushes keys on my laptop and makes the computer do strange things. Good luck and stay strong, I guess you call this tough love. Sometimes that's what you have to do.

[ChrissyBz]

How's the isolation going today DM? Sending focusing energy your way.

[Love's_Sophie]

Hope things are still going okay with you and Carter!!! Good luck on Thursday!!!

[digits mama]

I hope this works out for you Cant wait to see how it goes.

[Darkmoon]

Sorry I didn't reply yesterday was really busy. My fiancé wanted to put in a dishwasher and took from 9am to 9pm to do it, and then there was a dog show on TV

Besides it being really hard to do, the Social Isolation actually worked well. I think it would work better on dogs that aren't so independent, but it still worked really well. Do you know how hard it is to get a dog to do something without telling him what you want? To get him to go potty I would have to say really loud to my Fiancé "Man, Are you ready to go OUTSIDE??" Then grab our coats, otherwise he had no clue what we wanted. Trying to clean a house without being able to tell the dog to "sit" and "Stay" was not a lot of fun.

He is listening 100% now (inside) and even went into the basement without a fuss today. Still didn't help the howling or anything, but hey, that is what our appt. on Thursday will be for with the trainer (pray for good weather!!)

[digits mama]

Awesome Great news.

[Inga]

AW Darkmoon, I am so happy to hear that there are improvements. Hopefully all goes well with the trainer on Thursday. He is such a gorgeous boy. I hope that you can resolve all of your issues with him. It is no fun with separation anxiety.