A Doggy Tail..

If you are not a doggy type of person.............................Switch over now.............................If however you are like me and a total softie when it comes to your dog then please read on. As many of you will know I have a dog called Baxter who is the complete apple of my eye in every way. Baxter was a substitute for a third baby and I am embarrassed to say that I have totally and utterly spoilt him like I would of a new baby.

Being a stay at home mum I didn't really have a lot of control over the fact I wasn't out all the time, which resulted in him being with me all of the time. This all sounds lovely but there is a downside to this which has come to light recently...................................................7 years on he now has the worst case of separation anxiety ever. The vet has said that it will eventually cause him to suffer a stroke or worse and that just breaks my heart......................I have done this................Me..................No one else.................................This poor dog was chosen by us and is now not able to cope when I leave the room or even worse go out.

Last night I watched the most fascinating programme called Dogs. Their Secret Lives on C4. This programme has come just at the right time for Baxter and I and covered a range of lovely dogs who had similar if not slightly worse symptoms than my pooch.

I started the training today with Mark Evans (the vet) words ringing out in my ears "It doesn't matter how old your dog is, this can work". As I placed the new blanket down Baxter looked at me with some concern and a slight air of "Oh God...What now", I sat with him as he licked his new Kong Toy (recommend by Mark) and waited until he had finished. This exercise is aimed at making him see the blanket and Kong toy as a relaxing experience and with me sitting next to him he can chill out. The aim is to move away from him a bit further each day thus resulting in the apron strings being cut and hopefully him being able to spend short amounts of time on his own.
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I even recorded him today as I popped up to the post box, once I had got everything in place i.e. Blanket down, Kong toy at the ready and Parliamentary News on the TV in the hope that would bore relax him I headed off............................On my return I played it back and then ended up in tears at his pitiful howling and crying. To think that he is so sad and stressed out is heart breaking for me and I have to help him over come what I have done.

On a positive note.........................He did manage to stay downstairs whilst I cleaned upstairs today. I told him to sit and wait and guess what................He did........................Yippee !!! (Treats were given).

I would love to hear your stories or views on this topic and any little pieces of advice would be greatly appreciated. In the meantime I will continue on this journey to try and make him relax and I will report back at his progress.

Lots of Love
Me and Baxter.
xxxxxxx