Simba's Anxiety problems

[Liz]

My rambling has a point.. and it may sound harsh... but as much as I love Abby, we are not a good match. My lack of training ability or whatever you want to call it.. has resulted in my life being ruled by my companion. I am making renewed steps to change this but I can't help but wonder if I had let Abby be matched with a better owner, or even one that just didn't like to travel, if things would of been better.

Food for thought.

Alice

Yes, and I have been thinking those thoughts too. But I'm a tenacious old hag and don't like to admit defeat. So I'm giving this my best and last effort to make it work. I'm not perhaps as patient for results as some of you are, but will exercise all that I have in trying everything I have at my disposal to help Simba get over the separations. It's not like there are many times or for very long. I have sort of set a date of after the March gtg to judge if there's been any improvement. I know that may be too soon, and it could take years, but I don't think I can live this way that long. I plan to write the rescue org. where I adopted him and let them know what's going on...maybe they can help, who knows? But right now they think everything is perfect as all they've seen is the happy stuff on my blog. If things are not at least improving or have gotten worse by March, then I will have to seriously think about giving Simba back or find a new owner if that's what they prefer. I say my best and Last effort because if I fail, I will never attempt to adopt another dog again. It wouldn't be fair to the dog, just as it's not going to be fair to Simba if that happens.

[Redetotry]

I have failed, up to now, to train my rescue to be camping ready. Matter of fact, I think Abby's aggression, separation issues , everything, gets worse as time and bonding continue. My daughter has been taking care of Abby when I travel. Otherwise, frankly.. I couldn't afford a kennel and a trip at the same time.

While I was attending the recent Florida gtg, Abby decided that my daughter's home was her territory and showed her true possessive, aggressive nature toward the other dogs and all things she felt was now hers. Abby isn't really welcome there anymore but my daughter knows I'm attending the Texas gtg and shall put up with Abby one more time.

It was my dream after my previous dog Sandy passed, to have another companion that I could travel with. I have had dogs all my life but never one as strong willed and challenging as Abby. I can not travel with Abby (yet) and hope its not too late to turn things around.

My rambling has a point.. and it may sound harsh... but as much as I love Abby, we are not a good match. My lack of training ability or whatever you want to call it.. has resulted in my life being ruled by my companion. I am making renewed steps to change this but I can't help but wonder if I had let Abby be matched with a better owner, or even one that just didn't like to travel, if things would of been better.

Food for thought.

Alice

Don't be too hard on yourself Alice and also Liz. I think some dogs, like some people have levels of ability to change. A dog's critical stage, I've read in books regarding training guide dogs, is 4=12 weeks of age. If a puppy isn't socialized every day during that period that puppy will never pass the test to be a guide dog. That maybe translates to other areas of learning capabilities. Also bad breeding such as breeding two aggressive breed types can cause problems. If Abby didn't receive the training she needed to overcome her challenges when she was young, she may never totally be trusted. I have friends who went through mega $$$ time and frustration to help a dog that had separation issues with a dog they got from a shelter. They made headway but when they had a child, the dog although he appeared to love her, started biting and they had to put him down after the third incidence. Although he never bit the child, they felt it was a risk they couldn't take, besides being in trouble with the local animal control Also changes in environment can cause separation issues so yes, traveling may not be for all dogs. I was going to adopt a Standard Poodle one time and brought him home for a trial weekend. He refused to make eye contact and seemed to want nothing to do with me, DH and our other two Poodles. I called a friend who had recently lost his Standard to come over. The minute he walked in the dog went to him, when he sat in the floor the dog perched as much as his body as he could in his lap. The dog obviously had bad taste as the man I thought was a total irritation, but they had a long and happy life together.
Aggression in some dogs can be treated by turning your LEFT shoulder to the dog and NOT making eye contact. If caught unawares by an aggressive dog stand with your left shoulder toward the dog until the dog approaches and starts to sniff (or sometimes goes away). This method of left shoulder presentation is also used by the horse whisperer at one stage of training. Who knows why the left shoulder but this technique worked well with my Charley. He never bit but would growl at some people. I hired a dog trainer who observed our interactions for a couple of hours then made recommendations. When we had visitors, I made him stay behind a gate in the kitchen and I slowly walked the company to the gate to meet him, explaining to them about the left shoulder and eye contact. Once he came to sniff them and was quiet, they could look at him and pet him. I could then open the gate and he was their best bud from then on. After a short time he really changed and stopped the growling and actually turned into a pest when I walked him, he thought everyone wanted to pet him.
So, do what you can and hard as it may be, accept the fact that it just might not work in spite of your best efforts and intentions. And Liz, please don't say never to another dog, maybe a puppy would be the answer.

[bluepinecones]

If anyone can solve Simba's anxiety problems, I think it is you. Sure hoping it will work out.
I had not thought about whether or not Nicky might have a problem traveling with me. He rides well in van while running errands with me and does not bark when I leave him for a short while. My bigger concern is being able to walk him enough.
You really need a dog and hiking companion. If Simba can't be it, I do hope you will try to find another one.

[mitch5252]

Maybe next time I'll take the tranquilizer and wear the Thundershirt.

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That almost made me spit coffee!

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[Bethers]

Liz, How about trying to do things on a really small scale? Just like you've been having Simba go in the crate while you're in the rig, and now overnight seems to be working - how about while he's in the crate during the day, go outside and just sit at your picnic table with the door open. Just little steps - see if he can calm down to your voice and give him the treats, if he does, etc.

As to treats while gone, I've never had a dog that eats them until I get back. Peaches doesn't touch her food, and I don't even know if she drinks when left alone. But the minute I get in the door - that's another story. Just the other day I gave her some treats here before we left for MX. She was eating one as I left. The others were in the exact spot on the floor I put them when I got back. I do think, if people food, she would have eaten them - but not even sure about that.

I know, this is so time consuming - and hard. But if it doesn't work, don't you dare say you'll never have another dog - not all matches are perfect and Simba, while I do believe he'll come around - please don't let one experience rule you. I could never have had Moxie on the road the first few years I had her. Between her separation anxiety and her car sickness back then, wouldn't have worked. But believe me, I knew nothing about either when I adopted her. Luckily I was in a house and we could deal with both issues. And more luckily, she overcame the car sickness before she, Tips and I headed out in the rv many years later.

[Gentleladybear]

After I found out dogs can play you, got tough on Bear. If he starts the barking thing, I have a small spray bottle of water that I spray him with. Then I set it on the floor to remind him that I will spray him. He seems to understand.

Would it be possible Simba is playing you and needs a cheap spray bottle? Worth a shot if everything else has failed.

Nan

[pattyk]

After reading all of this, I realize how lucky I was in rescuing Sammie. I got her 2 weeks before going on a 3,000 mile trip. She has one problem with barking. If anyone is near the drivers window she barks like crazy. I use the spray water bottle then. Usually, if she starts barking when someone comes up to the MH I just have to pick up the bottle and she stops.

Also, she won't eat unless I am with her, except if I leave her with the Kong filled with peanut butter. I find it empty when I get home.

Good luck to you, Liz. You need the dog as a hiking companion.

[Liz]

After I found out dogs can play you, got tough on Bear. If he starts the barking thing, I have a small spray bottle of water that I spray him with. Then I set it on the floor to remind him that I will spray him. He seems to understand.

Would it be possible Simba is playing you and needs a cheap spray bottle? Worth a shot if everything else has failed.

Nan

Well, I haven't tried that. Only thing about it is that the problem barking occurs when I leave. But I could try coming back in the door and spray. I have considered the citronella spray collar, but it was going to be another $100.

[BarbaraRose]

Liz (and others who have dog issues), here is a book that is highly recommended by dog trainers and has 26 reviews on Amazon that are all 5 star ratings. Might be well worth checking it out...

http://www.amazon.com/Leave-Step---Step ... 804&sr=1-1

[bertnspike]

I'm really sorry nothing has helped so far, but maybe you haven't given it long enough yet or are moving too fast. Not accusing, just asking. Susan

[dayspring39]

When I got Shadow the vet said he could not be socialized as he had passed that time isolated in a basement without any human contact... it took time but you have seen him and he is very social however he does bark when someone comes if I am around and he barks even worse when they leave... so bad I have to hold his collar... the vet that made that statement saw him a year ago and she could not believe he was the same dog... some can be nudged out of bad habits and some cannot... it is very early to know if Simba is one of those that can be helped.
If all else fails and you return him to the shelter give yourself time... you have a lot to give another dog and the right dog has a lot to give you...
My thoughts are with you...
Kathleen

[Liz]

I'm really sorry nothing has helped so far, but maybe you haven't given it long enough yet or are moving too fast. Not accusing, just asking. Susan

You are right, Susan. And that's why I'm giving it more time. Just you get to share the journey of day-to-day frustrations.....thanks for listening.

[Liz]

Tiny progress made: Yesterday afternoon Colleen came with one of the long dogs..Willie, I think. Simba and Willie played all afternoon, and Simba was so tired last night he put himself to bed in his crate. I had to coax him out to go out for a last potty break, coax him out again to be brushed. So I put his Thundershirt on him and he went to his bed and to sleep. Instead of moving the crate I just closed the door. Not a peep from him all night.

So that was a small step. Now to get him comfortable and quiet in the crate when I leave. Will measure that in tiny steps too.

[AliceM]

Liz, that's great... progress. You and Simba both deserve a treat.

Alice

[dpf]

Liz, I know how irritating the barking can be. Radar never barks at home when I leave or am out of her sight, But when we go camping if I'm out of her sight she's barking. I have apologized to people who are camped next to us when I've had to leave and not been able to take her with me. They have always told me that she quit barking as soon as the car was out of sight and started just before I came back. But if I'm at the campground and we're outside if I have to go in the camper she barks...if we're inside and I need something outside she barks. It's not like she turns into a tick and has to be glued to my side but I have to be in her sight. We tried leaving a radio on for her that didn't work then our friends bark collar but it didn't help a bit either. I can't think of anytime in her life that she has been traumatized that would cause this except for six years ago when Tink died.