clinging dog

[KrazyKat]

How do I get my dog to be more independent. I love her death and I know I have spoiled her..........it is hard when I go away and have to put he in a kennel or leave her with a dog sitter........she does not do well. High anxiety or seperation anxiety. The vet has her on tranqulizers, the first day I leave her. I just hate that........any suggestions!

[amanda622]

i know what you mean my dog is same way hes a yorkie he come to the bathroom with me but i dont go anywhere i cant take him i can leave him when i go shopping and hes fine he sleeps but to go away for more than a day never with out him :)

[Eve_Ogrod]

Your puppy is toooooooooo cute! :)

[Magnum]

it is hard when I go away and have to put he in a kennel or leave her with a dog sitter

Are you talking about leaving her because you are going to be gone overnight?

[KrazyKat]

Thanks for your replys! I do travel it posses a problem. If I can find a reliable at home dog sitter that is best, for she is in her enviroment. When I am not able to find one I board her at the Humane Society. They are real good with her, excpet the first day is rough, and she needs to be drugged, which breaks my heart. She is very much a people dog so her social skills with other dogs is not real good!

Any suggestions on how to find a good, reliable dog sitter?

Thanks, crazykat( Nikki's Mom)

[mirrasmom]

I have the same problems with my dog - she is very clingy and does not like other dogs at all. I would never leave her in a kennel - she wouldnt be able to handle it. Luckily, my mother takes care of her when I am away, but since it appears that you dont have that option, I would definetly look into a dog sitter that can come to your house and watch your dog. I know this can get expensive, but if its causing the dog so much stress to be in the kennel, I would think it would be worth it. The folks at the humane society might be able to reccommend a professional dog sitter for you.

Another option would be to take your dog to the a doggy daycare for short periods of time when you are not on vacation, so that she can have it in smaller doses and will learn that when you leave her, you will be coming back. Then when you go on vacation, take her back to that same place for boarding and she might not be as frightened since she is more used to it and wont associate it with you leaving her for long periods of time.

I hope that helps!

[DiegoDog]

Diego had bad seperation anxiety. If I went on a trip he'd tear up things at my aunts place. Where I left him. Not to mention he is extremely...attentive at home. You know what fixed his seperation anxiety? Training. By making the dog more confident in me and more confident in himself he grew more independent. He is still very attentive but now he doesn't chew up things and deficate all over.

[olbrent]

see my post about "depressed dog" Thank you, brent

[Amborsita]

How old is your dog? You could consider training school since there would be a lot of socializing. I recently added a pup to my family and he was SO spoiled (well, he still is) and he wouldn't let me out of his sight. His puppy training included not only the basic commands (sit, stay, come, of-leash, etc.) but also socialization with other pups (and their parents). He no longer gets skiddish around people and is happier to go out for walks. They also have adult training classes so if you're dog is older she can start those too. They really are worth it! Good luck!!

[MariaRosa]

I wonder if brief visits to a "puppy daycare" might be another possible way to help socialize this puppy a little more to other dogs, as well as help him break his separation anxiety?

I also wanted to mention Bach Rescue Remedy. It's very helpful in aiding stressful events in both people and pets. I've seen it really transform some pets...taking them from frantic to calm and serene--without putting them in a stupor like tranks can do. Here's a link to for you to read more:

Bach Rescue Remedy for Pets (http://www.preciouspets.org/newsletters/articles/bach.htm)

---Paula

[Amborsita]

puppy daycare is another option. However the training has worked best with my dogs just because you not only get them familiar with the basic commands, you also get them familiar with people AND other dogs. It's a great way to cover multiple situations in which your dog may get shy. Good luck!

[~Ruby~Eyes~]

What breed is the dog? BTW just like a human you can't make a canine independent. I am an independent person and I have an independent dog. But that is in her natural breed character, I haven't taught her this and I like her was not taught this, I doubt any dog can learn it, but my mother has a Golden who is very clingy and he gets upset when she leaves the house. I would suggest leaving for 2 mins and then coming back in and then doing this again as a training method and lengthening the time. Maybe you should consider a companion for your dog to spend time with while you are away or taking him with you when you for say go to work. Clingy dogs can get bothersome, but there are methods in training the dog to be calmer and more relaxed while you are away.

[Molly]

I have the same problem. My dog is a toy poodle and she whines all the time if I leave her in my bedroom on my bed and I've just gone down the hall to the bathroom. I have to put her down because she can't jump or is afraid to, then she follows me. I don't know what to tell you. I wish I knew the answer myself.