Solving a problem is getting rid of the problem
Hi DavidG!
I am glad to hear that you will try to take Nikita along on your trips.
Sometimes, getting rid of the situation itself can solve the problem. If you don't leave her, she won't have separation anxiety... It's just so easy!!
As she gets to spend more time with you (her most favorite person) she will rebuild her confidence and eventually she will be just fine.
I was thinking about Nikita even after I posted my response last night and I got another idea - did you leave Nikita out when you set off on your trips? In other words, did you kind of sneak out because you didn't want her to notice that you were leaving? If you did, she might have connected the two things together - being left outside = you will be gone for a long time.
I just got the idea out of blue so maybe I am wrong.
For my dog's case, Holly had a separation anxiety problem when we first rescued her. We were told she was between 1 and 2 years old and was a stray and she was starving (she only weighed 35 pounds, now 45). She used to steal any kind of food that she could reach when we left her along with another dog of ours (not by herself). As she settled and learned that we will come home to her if she waits here, she stopped doing that. Now she is just fine (except for when we brings out our suitcases). She loves to go on a drive but she loves to come home as much.
When I leave home for work every morning, I always kiss her goodbye and tell her to take a good care of the house and her brother (another dog). I never sneak out. People tell you to make a low profile when you leave and it is true for the dogs with a separation anxiety problem but once they grow out of it, I think it will be appropriate to greet them when leaving and when coming home. They are part of your family, they should know when you are leaving and I think it is fair for the dogs too.
Well, sorry I got off the track quite a bit but what I wanted to say is a strong bond between you and your dog will help your dog build her confidence and that will help her outgrow the anxiety, I believe.
Good luck
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