My dog is a nutbag Not that I didn't already know that!
The answer, for now, is daily Prozac and situational Clonidine (whenever we have to break routine and run the risk of a separation based reaction), yay drugs! She said that he is a perfect candidate for behavioral medication and that she thinks he will really respond well, which makes me happy.
The doctor was amazing, seriously amazing. I felt so comfortable and she was able to give me some great feedback. We are going to be doing A LOT of really boring relaxation work and screwing up things that he may be using as cues that we are leaving (like picking up the keys, and then sitting down on the couch with them instead of leaving. Putting shoes on, then taking them back off, or wearing them around the house, etc.).
We also have to start ignoring him before we leave and right after we come home. I know that I should have started this a long time ago, I tell customers all the time that it can help with dogs with mild SA, but gah! That's when he is cutest!! And most interactive, and adorable! This is by far going to be the most difficult part for both Ryan and I. :/
She pointed out a lot of things that I feel like I should have put together myself a long time ago, like that his issues in the car are SA based, even though I'm IN the car.
This post is probably pretty scattered, lol, but my brain hurts from braining so hard at the appointment and I need sleep
DIAGNOSIS
Probable generalized anxiety
Fear of storms/rain
Separation anxiety during non-routine departures
Dog-dog and human directed reactivity
Probable generalized anxiety
Fear of storms/rain
Separation anxiety during non-routine departures
Dog-dog and human directed reactivity
The doctor was amazing, seriously amazing. I felt so comfortable and she was able to give me some great feedback. We are going to be doing A LOT of really boring relaxation work and screwing up things that he may be using as cues that we are leaving (like picking up the keys, and then sitting down on the couch with them instead of leaving. Putting shoes on, then taking them back off, or wearing them around the house, etc.).
We also have to start ignoring him before we leave and right after we come home. I know that I should have started this a long time ago, I tell customers all the time that it can help with dogs with mild SA, but gah! That's when he is cutest!! And most interactive, and adorable! This is by far going to be the most difficult part for both Ryan and I. :/
She pointed out a lot of things that I feel like I should have put together myself a long time ago, like that his issues in the car are SA based, even though I'm IN the car.
This post is probably pretty scattered, lol, but my brain hurts from braining so hard at the appointment and I need sleep