So Crazy Cocker Spaniel has separation anxiety and abandonment issues. I wish I was never told that at the shelter where I volunteered at and got her from because I found out years later that I made it worse. Cesar Millan is the dog whisperer…sounds silly but the guy really is good. I was watching his show one day and it was on separation anxiety and it hit me. The issue wasn’t with the dog…it was with me. I made a big deal about leaving her and a big deal when I came back. She was reacting to that. My reaction is what was making it worse. At the gym this weekend his show was on and I got sucked into watching about this woman and her dog that would freak out on other dogs. Turns out the woman’s own fear was being projected onto the dog and once they worked that out with her the dog started to do fine with other animals. She talked about how she always thought of worst case scenario and Cesar told her that she was the “prisoner of your own creativity”. I liked that. I … [Read more...]