My boy Dillon has issues with being left alone or away from me at all.
He was very needy from the day i brought him home.
I tried to work with him like i did my other 2 chis (who are totally fine), but when he started to bark a lot i got a letter through my door from my neighbours, and as i lived in a flat at the time i had to just keep him with me to keep the peace.
We rented and they had my landlords number.
I recently moved to a house (still rented though) and so now i want to try to help him get over this.
I love him to bits, and i hate to see him so stressed if he thinks i am not there.
My partner was also very annoyed by him so he would just open a door and let Dillon get to me, which is really no help!
He is still not much support now, but i have told him we both need to do this not just me, cause the chis are mine as he puts it.

The only time i am not with Dillon right now is when i have to go to a doc appointment.
He is getting better with being left in say the livingroom if i am pottering about, but not for ages.

Anyway, i called my vets here the other day cause i know they have a behaviourist in there, and she asked for a brief description etc...then sent me a form to fill in, and now i have to make an appointment to take him in.
I have never been to one before and i just wondered what kind of things i should look out for and ask?
Obviously i will walk if she isnt using positive methods.

It will be £100 for a 2 hour session, dont know if that's good or bad, but am willing to try anything at this point.
My man thinks it's possibly money down the drain.
There will be follow up calls she says and possibly more sessions maybe at my home, i dont know if that's how she does it.
I would imagine seeing him at home would be the best bet, but she wants to do at the surgery this time.

Anyhow sorry so long, just wanted any thoughts from people that know about these things or have maybe been down this road and been to someone like this themselves.

Edit: could someone move this for me? sorry, i put it in the wrong place.

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Not a soul eh.
46 views and nout.

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Contact a mod and they'll move it to the right section for you where it might get more replies .

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Sorry I can't offer any advice I've not had any dealing with a behaviourist.
Have you tried a DAP diffuser to help calm him?
I hope the behaviourist can help you.

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Thanks, i will contact a mod. lol

yeah have tried the DAP diffuser and spray but didnt do anything. x

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Phoebe started to get like it too, but luckily I think I managed to nip it in the bud before it got too severe. I just started off by leaving her for a couple of seconds then coming straight back in without any fuss, gradually she realised that I might leave but that I'll always come back. Now when I go out for a few hours she's absolutely fine. Maybe you could try leaving a shirt or something that smells of you when you're out?

I hope everything goes okay with the behaviourist, I don't have much advice but just use your gut instict, if something doesn't feel right or you don't agree with certain methods then leave.

Let us know how it goes & good luck!

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For a problem like this, I would expect the following things to be discussed:

1) Introducing and building a positive association with a crate, so your dog has somewhere he can feel safe and comfortable. Start with just rewarding him for being around/in the crate, then get him to eat in there, then progress to closing the door for short periods of time with you there too, then without you, etc., etc.

2) Having you incrementally and gradually build up the time you're away from him. This can be just leaving him in another room, whilst he enjoys a stuffed Kong, and progress to you leaving the house for 30 seconds, then coming back in, making no fuss. You want to make your dog realise that you leaving the house really is no big deal.

3) If your dog gets stressed by watching you get your keys, coat etc., start by picking up your keys, treating/rewarding and putting them down again, then add another step to the routine (e.g. keys and coat on). Again, keep doing this over and over so you a) change his emotional reaction to you preparing to leave from one of anxiety to one of enjoyment and b) teach him that doing these things are no big deal, and picking up keys or putting on your coat does not always have the same consequences, i.e. you leaving the house.

4) Calmative measures- e.g. Thunder shirts (never actually used on of these); DAP spray; leaving a piece of your clothing in the crate etc.

These are exercises to help tackle the aspects of you leaving the house, and changing his conditioned emotional response to a more pleasant one.

I would be wary of a behaviourist that asks you to become more of a leader, more assertive figure etc. Some 'behaviourists' seem to see separation anxiety and similar problems as to do with 'pack drive', i.e. the dog doesn't want you to leave because you are not the pack leader, the dog is, and therefore is worried about your safety. But this is wrong and completely underestimates, and overestimates, a dog's cognitive abilities and social behaviour. Yes, dogs are social animals, but rest assured, this has nothing to do with 'pack behaviour' and/or hierarchical relationships. But I'm sure you already know this

Welcome to k9aggression.com | Dog Aggression Education, Support and Resources

see the right side of the page for all sorts of useful protocols - laid out step by step.
it is not JUST about aggro; there are posts for any reactive problem, fears, sep-anx, OCD, whatever
the behavior might be, from phobia to compulsion or anxiety. the relaxation protocol & deference
are both widely useful; dissociating departure cues & desensitizing to events at the door are good, too.


this website is courtesy of Dr Karen Overall, DVM, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.

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tmp, sept-2007

Have you read the very long sticky on here about dealing with separation anxiety? If not, you should do that first.

My personal opinion is that she is not going to find out anything unless she sees the dog in his own home. The very idea of doing anything about separation anxiety in a strange environment is bizarre, to say the least. It needs to be in the dog's own territory.

From what I have read, the best way is to do the things you would normally do before leaving, pick up keys, put on your coat, etc, but instead of leaving, sit down and have a cup of tea.

Do this a few times, then open the door and close it again. Do this a few times. The dog reacts when he sees you are getting ready to leave and starts to get in a state before you have even gone. The idea is to eliminate this.

I would not pay for a behaviourist who has not even suggested coming to you.

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the only thing I can comment on, is that I agree, I would expect the behaviourist to come to you at your home. All should want to see the dog in it's own environment.

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