Behavior Tip of the Month
Question
Is your pet a "Velcro Dog"? Does she freak when you leave her at home alone? Do you come back and find your house "searched and destroyed"?
ANSWER
If your K9 suffers from Separation Anxiety, perhaps John Rogerson can help. He is an internationally known expert in dog training and behavior problem solutions. In one of his books, Understanding Your Dog and in his seminars, he suggests doing the following things:
1. Create a big separate area of the house so your dog can't follow you everywhere.
2. Frequently ignore your dog and turn your head away.
3. Make a list of all the things you do right before you leave the house. Twenty times a day, do all the things on the list but DON'T LEAVE.
4. Don't say good bye to your pet when you really leave. Ignore her and just go out the door.
5. Place an item of your clothing under the door when you leave.
6. Tape record your voice speaking. Buy an auto reverse tape recorder which will play your voice over and over all day. The dog might just think you're still at home! If not, your voice will still soothe her.
Try these suggestions and then read my columns, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, and Home Alone 3.
Good luck and I hope these help!
Carole
Carole Schatz, CPDT Certified Pet Dog Trainer
Best Friend Behavior Counseling and Training
San Diego, Ca.
619-460-6888
www.sancarlosvet.com and click on "Behavior Tips""Positively teaching pets and their people since 1977"
Do you have a question for Carole? You can reach her at the email address listed on her resume. Perhaps she will use it in an upcoming article on this Web site.