I would strongly recommend talking to a vet behaviorist. If there’s not one available in your area look for a behaviorist online that specializes in separation anxiety (which is a thing), and involve your veterinarian as there are several medications that can be given to help prevent her into going into that absolute panic state and can make training her slightly easier. It’s still going to take a lot of time and there’s not quick fix but you’ll have a better chance.
While you are looking at connecting to a behaviorist/vet, I would start Karen overalls relaxation protocol. Start small. If day 1 is too hard break the steps down either further and do it twice a day. Use a bed or a towel not inside the crate, do it in different spots.
Once you get up to her being very comfortable doing a full Day 5 very relaxed outside the crate, try doing Day 1 right next to the crate, then in crate with door open, then door closed. Only go to the next step if she is totally relaxed.
It’s hard. And it’s so slow. I have so much anxiety over my dog. Therapy has helped me a lot, so maybe look at that for you as well. The book human canine behavior connection has helped me a lot with looking at my emotions and how I respond to my dog.
But finding a good vet behaviorist or vet and behaviorist team can make a difference in how much you feel supported as you go through this and I can’t recommend enough.
Thanks so much. I’ve been contemplating speaking to my vet but was fearful that they’d just put her on medication and not help try and fix the underlying issues. And I’d feel terrible if I had to put her on medication because I’d failed to train her properly. At this point though it sounds like an option, especially if it’s more of a temporary thing to help with training.
Medication can be extremely helpful in allowing your dog to achieve a mental state where they can be receptive to training. Constant panic can make them unreachable. Not saying it is “the” answer, and it’s not magic, but meds can make all the difference.
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u/chelshorsegirl Aug 03 '21
I would strongly recommend talking to a vet behaviorist. If there’s not one available in your area look for a behaviorist online that specializes in separation anxiety (which is a thing), and involve your veterinarian as there are several medications that can be given to help prevent her into going into that absolute panic state and can make training her slightly easier. It’s still going to take a lot of time and there’s not quick fix but you’ll have a better chance.
While you are looking at connecting to a behaviorist/vet, I would start Karen overalls relaxation protocol. Start small. If day 1 is too hard break the steps down either further and do it twice a day. Use a bed or a towel not inside the crate, do it in different spots. Once you get up to her being very comfortable doing a full Day 5 very relaxed outside the crate, try doing Day 1 right next to the crate, then in crate with door open, then door closed. Only go to the next step if she is totally relaxed.
It’s hard. And it’s so slow. I have so much anxiety over my dog. Therapy has helped me a lot, so maybe look at that for you as well. The book human canine behavior connection has helped me a lot with looking at my emotions and how I respond to my dog.
But finding a good vet behaviorist or vet and behaviorist team can make a difference in how much you feel supported as you go through this and I can’t recommend enough.