Has anyone had real progress with a dog with separation anxiety?
My 7 month old Bouvier des Flandres has had separation anxiety since the day we got him at 10 weeks. He is extremely attached to me (breed typical) and barks, howls, and paces the entire time he is left alone. This problem is not uncommon with the breed.
I have been working with him daily for 6 months on being OK being left alone in his crate while I'm in another room. Very little progress. He is rarely left crated while I'm out, as I take him with me in the vehicle most times (where he is completely ok to be alone). After reading book after book, my goal has been to not leave him alone until we can conquer this problem, except during controlled training exercises.
Well, he's now nearly 8 months and still can't be left alone without panicking. I've tried all the usual (TV on, old shirt of mine, spraying Adaptil, Zylkene pills, blah blah blah). I've done daily exercises of leaving him crated while I come and go out of the room and maybe even into the garage.
He is NOT an anxious or nervous dog overall. Only when left all alone. I have been training daily with him, as well as attending training classes since the day I got him. He is actually a favorite at the puppy agility class with all the instructors because he is fearless, and doesn't need a slow into to any equipment. He's "game" for anything.
I have a Treat and Train that I've used with mixed success - the first few times I set it to dispense intermittently, and it kept him calm and occupied until it ran out of kibble. The last few times I've tried to use it, he no longer stays calm and focused on the food.
I am out of ideas, and frankly find myself losing patience.
I would love to hear from anyone who has faced a similar problem, and has had success in dealing with it.
My 7 month old Bouvier des Flandres has had separation anxiety since the day we got him at 10 weeks. He is extremely attached to me (breed typical) and barks, howls, and paces the entire time he is left alone. This problem is not uncommon with the breed.
I have been working with him daily for 6 months on being OK being left alone in his crate while I'm in another room. Very little progress. He is rarely left crated while I'm out, as I take him with me in the vehicle most times (where he is completely ok to be alone). After reading book after book, my goal has been to not leave him alone until we can conquer this problem, except during controlled training exercises.
Well, he's now nearly 8 months and still can't be left alone without panicking. I've tried all the usual (TV on, old shirt of mine, spraying Adaptil, Zylkene pills, blah blah blah). I've done daily exercises of leaving him crated while I come and go out of the room and maybe even into the garage.
He is NOT an anxious or nervous dog overall. Only when left all alone. I have been training daily with him, as well as attending training classes since the day I got him. He is actually a favorite at the puppy agility class with all the instructors because he is fearless, and doesn't need a slow into to any equipment. He's "game" for anything.
I have a Treat and Train that I've used with mixed success - the first few times I set it to dispense intermittently, and it kept him calm and occupied until it ran out of kibble. The last few times I've tried to use it, he no longer stays calm and focused on the food.
I am out of ideas, and frankly find myself losing patience.
I would love to hear from anyone who has faced a similar problem, and has had success in dealing with it.