Chester has mild separation anxiety, and while I’ve certainly read enough about it and tried to work with him on it, it hasn’t gotten much better in the six months we’ve had him.
I finally decided to hire a trainer. I know that the longer behavior is allowed to go on, the more entrenched (and often worse) the behavior becomes. While he hasn’t gotten worse, I would love to leave the house and know he’s a relaxed, happy dog.
I picked Fidelio Dog Works. In researching my own blog posts, I often came across this blog and liked what I read. I was a little anxious after talking to his office manager, who suggested that a shock collar might work for Chester’s howling while we’re gone. I’m not putting a shock collar on Chester (not to mention I doubt a shock collar would alleviate his anxiety). But I doubted that would be the recommendation I would get, and figured she’s not the trainer, after all.
After about fifteen minutes of observing Chester and asking about his behavior, and finding out what ideally I’d like to happen when I’m not here, Steve was ready with his recommendations.
First we taught Chester to go to his place (a raised training bed Steve had brought with him), which is basically go to your bed, which Chester already knows (and loves). Of course Chester quickly figured out that if he got off the bed, and then back on, he got treats.
After working with him a bit with staying on the bed while I was out of sight, we attached his leash. Steve had me walk around Chester with the leash loose. Any time Chester either put his feet on the sides of the bed (except if he was laying down) or looked down (a prelude to jumping off), I was to give a very quick, soft tug on the leash.
Through all this we were looking for Chester to relax. Anytime he laid down he got treated, although he also got treated for just staying (especially if I was out of sight).
Next Steve had me put the leash under the leg of the bed, and continue the stay while I left. Most of the time Chester stayed on the bed, only trying to get off once or twice.
The idea is to give Chester a job to do while I get ready to leave. So I’ll have him go to his place (and stay) while I’m getting ready, and then again I’ll have him go to his place in the bathroom when I leave. And I’ll continue to work with him throughout the day in small bits.
I asked what the difference between the bed and a crate is. Steve pointed out that with the crate, the dog has no control; he must stay. With the bed, the dog can execute some self control; he has a choice.
After Steve left, I had Chester go to his bed on the floor (rather than the couch, where he normally is). I suspected that we’d have to do something like that, have him not laying on the couch, and I thought it would be very difficult for him, considering that he loves his spot ont he couch — and he’s very good about only laying on his bed on the couch.
I was surprised. He laid on the bed for a good 15-20 minutes, most of the time pretty relaxed (although never napping as he would normally be at this time of night), and only tried to leave the bed once. Of course, he was getting treats every now and again. I also would practice going out of his sight during the commercials.
We ended with another 10 minute session in the bathroom (hopefully Chester won’t have any digestive issues tonight!). He laid down pretty quickly while I was still in sight, and kept his stays pretty good while I was out of sight — until I opened the bedroom door. Then he jumped off the bed and got tangled up in the leash.
I untangled him, had him get back on his bed, and did a few more stays with me out of sight, but not opening the door again. Obviously a little too much for him right now.
Steve also suggested I use a baby gate to block the door to the bedroom, rather than closing the bathroom door. I had thought that Chester must think he’s being punished, being locked away in the bathroom (and luckily so far he’s never tried to jump or climb a baby gate), so I’ll try that.
I definitely think it was money well spent. I know that his problem isn’t going to disappear overnight, but at least I feel like I have more direction now — and so does Chester. And that’s what he needs. We’ll see how it goes.
Technorati Tags: separation anxiety, trainer, crate
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