Comments for Separation Anxiety in Coton de Tulear Dog

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Dec 21, 2010
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separation anxiety
by: Sarah

I had the same problem with my wee dog. I have spent most of the time with her, and she has never been alone for more than an hour on her own (she is two now).My husband cares for her when I go out (and vice versa).

I noticed though, that she used to get stressed out when I left, so I made my leaving fun, by giving her treats. I put her in the sitting room and turn on the tv and give her little treats that I hide in the room (e.g.behind the curtain).

Another thing I did was to get another puppy so the two of them are never alone. They have each other. The new dog is more outgoing and is less "clingy" than my first one, who won't let her eyes off me when we are in a public place, and won't let anybody walk her except me and my husband.

Regarding what will happen to them when you go to the wedding -- where I live in the UK there are dog-friendly hotels where the staff look after the dogs (they are called pet butlers) and I would definitely see if you can find a hotel that has such a service. They will make sure that your dog is looked after while you are away. It may even be fun for your dog to have some alternative stimulation. Good luck.

Mar 10, 2010
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Aids for anxiety
by: Moxamomma Iris

I do have a positive note to add. I have been feeding Tuffy "Mellow Mut" chicken strips by Dogswell ever since he was a little puppy 2 months old. He was introduced to it by an employee of the dog food store, He told me it was natural and even he and other employees ate them(?). It is dehydrated chicken infused with calming herbs, camomile and lavender and some other herbs. He gave Tuffy a sample and by the time we got home, Tuffy was stretched out in his carrier flopped over like he was drunk! He was definitely relaxed. After that he got one strip every day, and still does, and when we moved from Calif. to CT. he flew onboard with me and I fed him his Mellow mut and kept him calm and relaxed the whole trip.

Mar 10, 2010
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We Have Separation Anxiety
by: Moxamomma Iris

I have to say "we" because Tuffy my 2 year old Coton and I both get anxious when we are apart. Tuffy is well trained except for occasionally exerting his natural stubborn streak,and a sweet fun loving pup.He is so smart I call him a "thinking dog".
If I go out without him he freaks out when I return. I have followed all the training suggestions,ie: ignore him, go out come back, etc,. Just knowing that he is fearful and anxious and depressed if I leave him makes it stressful for me. I take Tuffy everywhere I possibly can. When I researched the Coton breed I fell in love with them. I was working full time so,when I read that the Coton are perfectly happy living in an apartment, I thought I had found the perfect companion. At six weeks Tuffy came to live with me, I took a few days off work to bond with him.I had a large bathroom I used it as a kennel for Tuffy, I bought a see through baby gate, left the door open for light and air circulation.He had one area for food and water, his pee pad, a small dog crate, a basket of toys and a bed.I gave him a treat and went to work and believed he would be fine. Each night I'd come home and find him hiding behind the bathroom door. I'd take him out to play, put him on the leash and run the hallways, and on weekends I took him out to walk and go for rides, I asked the next door neighbor if she could hear him in the bathroom, she said absolutely not, But, when I moved out three months later she admitted he barked and whined all day every day! That killed me! I definitely would have made other arrangements if I had known how stressful it was for him to be alone. I believe that was the start of his anxiety issue.I grew up with dogs, had dogs when I raised my family and never had any problems with behavior. Now retired, this is a totally different situation. Tuffy is not the standard Coton personality, He is not a lap dog,.He prefers to be outdoors, He loves children and all people, he is the greeter wherever we go. He is territorial in the neighborhood,and guards me ferociously at times when out for walks when he sees other dogs, but his tail is also wagging as if he really wants to play with them. I hired a trainer specifically to help me with that issue. The command "leave it" sometimes works,
Tuffy is clinging to me after his recent traumatic groomer experience. He is also picking up on my anxiety about leaving him with family while I travel to my daughter's wedding.I am worried, others think of him as "just a dog" and say "he will be fine"Tuffy has never spent one night without me.I have sleep apnea, and Tuffy alerts me if I'm having difficulties. I want to take him with me, but know I could not leave him in a hotel room, he would be (sharp )barking. I welcome advice.

Aug 09, 2009
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Puppies and separation anxiety
by: Gale

When Luc was a puppy I found that when I put him in the bathroom with the door closed he felt very isolated and behaved very badly. From the advice of our Veterinarian, I started leaving him in a small room with a baby gate instead of the bathroom so he could see the environment around him.

At first he resisted (2 or 3 days of a lot of barking) and then he adjusted just fine. It's also good to leave a toy that will keep him from acting out from boredom. I got Luc toys where you can put treats inside and he'd spend time trying to figure out out to get to the treats.

Patience is the key.

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