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Separation Anxiety?

655 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  3GSD4IPO, 
M
Hello all. I have a little male Lhasa Apso I inherited from my sister about a year ago. He's 4 years old, and healthy and happy. He is kind enough to share HIS apartment with my uncle and I. Anyhow, I work part time. My uncle/roommate leaves around 7:30AM, and I leave about 9:30AM. When I'm getting ready to leave, he'll shake violently and look at me like I'm going to Iraq! He's just sad. I work about 5 hours, so he's not alone long. When I get home, he goes insane like most dogs. ZERO destructive behavior while I'm gone, He's house trained and no poop or chewed furniture or anything else associated with separation anxiety. Is there anything I can do to make my leaving for work easier? It really breaks my heart and makes me feel guilty every morning.
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Kathyy
Just leave. He's fine, you are the one with separation anxiety! Dogs are great at putting guilt on us, suspect that's the cause of half the obese dogs in this country. Perhaps set up a camera to record what he does as soon as you leave? Bet he is sniffing at the door for a minute then going for a nice lay down on the sofa waiting for your return.
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M
But look at him! LOL. You're probably right.

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Kathyy
Oh man. Those eyes!
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M
Oh, those are them small. He knows how to make them the size of manhole covers when he wants something, like food, or more food. Thanks for your advice.
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M
I'm a 250 pound guy and this little 15 pounder has my heart which is why I was worried. I am buying a webcam just to see what he's doing when I leave.

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W
What might also help is to alter your behavior leading up to going off to work. If you tend to make a huge fuss of the dog right before leaving it might be worth a try to ''ignore'' the dog before leaving..with this I mean: go through the usual routine of getting ready but except for making sure the dog has everything it needs for the next couple of hours to not give the dog any attention.
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3GSD4IPO
Just leave. And when you come home, ignore him for about 15 minutes, no matter how much he bounces around. Calm behavior gets attention. Be consistent.

He will be happier and so will you and you will eventually get over your separation anxiety... ;)
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