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| From: | Callie (71.49.26.86)
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| Subject: | Never feel too long-winded |
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Date: | July 10, 2009 at 5:32 am PST |
In Reply to: Re: I agree posted by Natalie on July 8, 2009 at 2:34 pm:
It helps to have the description!
I was working on a long response last night and lost it, so will try to re-post it tonight.
But yes, bloodwork will help show you if you have some health issue that is complicating this. And some form of relaxant may help you -- and I wouldn't use anything pharmaceutical -- because it's habit-forming. Just something like passionflower or valerian tincture (non-alcohol always tastes better for them), and maybe something like Hylands Calms Forte (rescue remedy really won't be enough)
Given how much you re-structure your life for this dog, I have to say that it's a good possibility that the dog is simply holding you an emotional hostage to a degree. But the only way to deal with that is to turn your schedule topsy turvey -- my guess is the dog knows when the walk is "over" and you're home that then you begin "work" and perhaps shortly after you go "out" and leave the dog at home.
so vary the walk -- maybe try it as a 'reward' when you've come back (but don't go right away if the dog has been barking, etc.)
Using various things like stuffing a Kong or a marrow bone with the dog's meal, freezing it and giving it as a distraction before you leave. I'll try to elaborate on this because I think if you simply hand it to the dog and then leave the dog will "smell a rat" and not accept it. You're going to have to break down the re-training into very tiny steps in order for this to be do-able because you have to break that association.
I'm racing to work so I can't be more forthcoming right now but I will re-address when I get home.
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