Dutch Shepherd Forum

Dutch normally does not have a problem when we leave him at home. We had a huge problem when we left hi at the kennel. My husband won't allow it anymore.

The problem is when we go for a walk and one of us walks away usually me. We're going camping in a monthy. Any ideas on how to handle the anxiety if we leave him? My solution is bring big bones for a distraction.

H

Your going to not take him camping?

Oh No, we're taking him camping. I always love a dogs first camping trip when they wonder what we did to get kicked out of the house to end up in the middle of nowhere. lol.

It's just what to do when one of us leaves the campsite to go get cleaned up etc. Like I said I think I'll try to distract him with a large bone. Just wondering what other people do with this type of anxiety when the other person walks away for a moment.

H

Bring goodies for him to play with while the other is doing their thing.

I have always concentrated on talking to my dogs - telling them what is going on constantly. they learn language, then you can communicate to soothe their anxieties. ''it's ok. he'll be right back.'' it is not always totally satisfying - depending on the dog's range of perceived risks [ ''the woods are dangerous - a bear might get him and he won't come back like intended! you should be worried, too!!'' ] but it helps and if separation is the only issue on the dog's mind, it can work 100% once the dog trusts that you tell the truth.

in the meantime, a big bone sounds like a good idea [ as you tell him ''he'll be right back. just wait a minute. here, take your bone'' ]

sorry, I know a lot of people probably find my approach to these things ridiculous, but with the right [ capable ] dog, it works like a charm on so many fronts in the long run.

I just want to say that John's advice to talk to the dog actually works, as ridiculous as it sounds. I was having the hardest time trying to get Sugar to not react to seeing a dog on TV. Whenever a dog would appear on the TV screen, she would go ballistic. I was making some progress with this, but the turnaround moment was when I sat there beside her, looked at her in the eyes, and had a conversation with her about how these are "TV dogs" and she doesn't have to worry about them, etc etc. Ever since then, if I see her about to react to seeing a dog on TV, I look at her and remind her its a TV dog, and damn if she doesn't settle right down!

Thanks for the response

My neighbours must think I'm nuts because I'm constantly yaking with my dog, So I do know that it helps. As for the TV, my husband roles his eyes cause it looks like he's engrossed in whatever I'm watching.

I will bring a few bones with me and treats to distract him.

Heather

Peanut butter in a kong is my dogs best distraction...

Ok just a sidebar update.

We took him to beach conservation for the day. I brought a few toys and a large bone (after thought I thought that would cause possession problems). Nope, we had 1 problem when Greg took a dip without him. He's such a good boy. He was actually the best dog on the beach. We even had a little girl walk over while gnawing on his bone. Nothing, absently nothing. He looked up at us as if to say "you’re taking care of this right?" He swam between the 2 of us and never took off till we caught up to him to put the leash back on him. He completely ignored the other dogs even when they went off their stick.
Such a good boy.

H

NICE !!! sounds like a wonderful time. congratulations on a fine pup!