[Sloth]

I just cannot leave a shrieking dog in my apartment at 3 am when I leave for work. If Belle has a delicious treat, she's pretty much just focused on the treat. I've been leaving her with frozen stuffed Kong's (peanut b7tter and liver treats) in another room, then closing the door. She's fine for the 3 minutes it takes to eat what she can from the Kong.

I do the same when leaving the house. Leave her a Kong, step outside, come in and take the Kong, before she can finish the treat and start whining.

If she eats what she can of the treats, she starts whining.

I've heard of some dogs spending HOURS with Kong's. How??

And is there anything else I can do to calm her down?

 

[Sloth]

http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/separation-anxiety-in-dogs.html

This is what I have been doing.

 

[Sloth]

..Wrong board? I understand that there are resources out there forSA, they have been ineffective and I'm juztlooking for tips.

New thing I"m trying: Belle gets no food unless it's when I'm leaving.

 

[Nev Allen]

How long have you been following the DogStar Daily tips? YOu will note that they take a few weeks a step at a time. SA is a hard one to fix but you need to be patient and consistant. The 4 stages need to be done all the time and consistantly.

One thing not mentioned in there is exercise. Just before you go out (yes at 3.am) you need to do a series of exercises that will tire the pup out. A tired dog will sleep for several hours. I don't mean a quick walk around the block lasting 30 minutes. She needs to run flat out for that time. Use a flirt pole and get her running and chasing a toy for 30 minutes. Pull the toy over some "hurdles" ( broom stick on top of a pile of books). Have her beg and stand on back legs in quick succession so the legs and back are made to work.

ANd I would consider crate training her. Google Crate Training and follow the advice given by people like Susan Garret.

When she wakes she will need boredom busters. Stuffed kongs are good but soft peanut butter can be extracted easily. Get food dispensing toys and toys that are inside other toys that she has to find a way to get them out.