Separation Anxiety -- We have playing! Update post #23

[Simkie]

@pompeiii;5772295

She’s still crying on and off. SHe’ll be exhausted when I do get back. I may see if my boyfriend can stop over when he leaves work just to check on her for a half hour. He could probably be there in about 2 hours where it’ll be closer to 4 1/2 before I get home. I know we’ve made huge progress, it’s been hard, but moments like this just make me feel awful. I muted the camera so I don’t have to listen to her and can actually do some work…

Does your cam do two way audio?

I have this cam to watch my dog (KoaTV!) and nothing shuts her upset behaviors down faster than if I swallow my pride and yell at her to knock it off when I see something concerning. I feel weird yelling at my computer, but it works!

[pompeiii]

[QUOTE=Simkie;5772431]
Does your cam do two way audio?

I have this cam to watch my dog (KoaTV!) and nothing shuts her upset behaviors down faster than if I swallow my pride and yell at her to knock it off when I see something concerning. I feel weird yelling at my computer, but it works![/QUOTE]

I may need to look into something like that. Right now I just use the awful webcam on my laptop. Of course, I can only see about 1/2 of the room. I’d love 2 way audio, but unfortunately, I haven’t figured out a way to make that work at work with my work computer.

I left her today for a few hours and she seemed 100% OK. Didn’t even bother looking up from her place on my bed when I left. I did leave her with a frozen kong filled with yogurt, cheese, cookies, and beef. I think yogurt is much more appealing than peanut butter.

Thinking back to yesterday versus today, she got a whole lot more exercise today (we were outside for a good few hours and she raced through the pastures, herded the horses, chased bugs, and rolled in horse poop) than yesterday. She had much less yesterday than usual (my fault being sick) and that combined with me forgetting something, coming back, and leaving again just didn’t work.

I feel better that we’re still on track. She was very clingy when I got home last night so I just took her out and ignored her. Once she realized I’d ignore her until she was calm, she ran around the horses until it was safe to visit me (safe meaning she’d get hugs). She was clingy this morning too, but everything else went well. That said, today’s exercise and yesterday’s events have left me with a very sleepy puppy. She been sound asleep for about 2 hours now which means she’ll be ready to play at… 3 am? I think it’s time to wake her up for some additional play time.

[pompeiii]

Just wanted to share a quick update.

Things have gone pretty well since the bad day we had when I last posted. No real issues. We went on vacation and my dog was even more comfortable alone up there (she spent her first week with me up there). Got back and she had little to no issue re-adjusting.

We had one issue last Monday. I failed to set up the webcam so I don’t know what happened, but she ended up scratching a small hole in the wall by the door. NOT good. But she also had an accident inside and I think her stomach was bothering her too. It was an isolated incident and no property damage/accidents since then so… I think she was probably crying/scratching by the door to see if someone was around to let her out. Poor girl. But, since then, she’s more or less been fine.

We’re slowly weaning off meds. Vet wasn’t all too concerned with the whole in our training (leave comeback leave again) and just told me to try and remember everything the first time I leave. But, if I forget something, as long as I restart the whole routine (including leaving an extra treat and my farewell speech, things seem fine).

We still struggle when I’m on the farm and she’s inside (worse now that windows are open versus AC and she can hear me), but she’s been pretty good otherwise. She’s discovered antlers and churpi chews which I put down only when I leave and pick up when I get back. She loves them both. She’s much happier and interested in these than raw bones (even fresh meaty ones–she just doesn’t care for them).

But, today we had a breakthrough. I’ve made sure the cameras been up since last week’s incident. Today while I was gone I saw a wagging tail and PLAYING! She had her stuffed squeaky monkey (first toy and is still holding on, even after loosing a leg) in her mouth and she was kicking around a squeaky football then throwing the football and pouncing on it. It wasn’t for too long that I saw before she went back to her chews, but this was the first time I’ve seen her actually playing and looking so relaxed while I was gone. She even looked extra relaxed when she slept.

So that wasn’t that short, but I just wanted to share a better update. We’re on this dosage on the meds for another week or so before we cut down again. We’re weaning slowly to make sure she doesn’t regress (but, even just cutting back some, her appetite has returned and she’s eating me out of house and home).

[Simkie]

@pompeiii;5848305

But, today we had a breakthrough. I’ve made sure the cameras been up since last week’s incident. Today while I was gone I saw a wagging tail and PLAYING! She had her stuffed squeaky monkey (first toy and is still holding on, even after loosing a leg) in her mouth and she was kicking around a squeaky football then throwing the football and pouncing on it. It wasn’t for too long that I saw before she went back to her chews, but this was the first time I’ve seen her actually playing and looking so relaxed while I was gone. She even looked extra relaxed when she slept.

WOOO! Yay! Glad she’s doing better I love seeing the “happy dog” behaviors over the cam! :yes:

[Bicoastal]

That is awesome. Now I wonder what my dogs do all day…I’m thinking sleep.

[alto]

Very glad for the happy update!
:yes: :yes: