Seperation Anxiety-German Shepherd

[barry_boggs@yahoo.com]

We got our Tasha from animal control about six months ago. She is about two years old and very sweet. She was for my wife who is disabled but has bonded to me. The problem is, which is more for her then me, is: I cannot move without her at my feet. If I get up, she gets up. A few times she has actually steped on the back of my feet going down the hall.
She can be asleep on the floor and I cannot, even though I try, go anywhere without her following me.

This has got to be miserble for her because I move around alot.

We have a fenced in yard that we leave her in when we leave. I don't know what she would do if left in the house.

We have two cats which is not a problem. The kitten a tom helps her eat her dog food and plays with her all the time.

How can I get her to relax and not feel that she has to follow me everywhere I go?
barry_boggs@yahoo.com

[Annie]

hi there,
I haven´t had this problem as strongly as yours....but maybe you could try asking her to stay, leave the room and when you return reward her for staying....of course she will always be watching and waiting for you. My dog had seperation anxiety and what worked for us was absolutely ignoring her when there was a seperation. ie. when we come home, to ignore, no eye contact, no talking. Go about your business and totally ignore her. You need to wait till she is totally relaxed before calling her to you ( this may take over 30 mins!) In my head I made my exits and entrances as boring for my dog as possible, and now, a year later, she doesn´t even watch where I am, or when I come and go. GREAT!
I´m not sure if this has answed your question, and I can also see that your dog, after only 6 months, is still very nervous thatyou are not coming back. But by complimenting her and recognising her, you are rewarding her for her nervous behaviour. Try to make a nice central place for her that she can supervise without having to follow so much. But poring 'love' on an insecure dog can sometimes be unhelpful...
Annie

[MaxHollyNoah]

Hi Barry,

I think Annie's idea is great! Practice "Stay" or "Wait" with her so that she can stay at one place while you do your things, or she can wait until you call her from a distance.

But in the mean time, I would like to see if Tasha can get bonded with your wife too. I assume your wife likes dogs but is she able to give some trainings or care to Tasha?

I bet she can not take her to a walk but maybe she can pet or brush her, or feed her? Can you go out by yourself so that Tasha and your wife can spend sometime together by themselves?

Just a thought but I thought it would be nice if Tasha get attached to your wife as much, or even more, as she is to you.

[barry_boggs@yahoo.com]

Thank you for your reply. I will follow you suggestions and see what happens.

Barry