Copper -- a 1-year-old Dachshund
Comments
from Loralei:
Copper is one of those dogs that is so beautiful that it is hard to keep your eyes off of him. I'm sure it was also the reason that his owners had a hard time being apart from him and distancing themselves when home with him. Consequently, Copper had a more difficult time when he was separated and started to become very destructive due to his increasing anxiety.
Scott and Cindee were model pet owners in that they knew that it was up to them to find out why Copper had such difficulty and what could be done about it. Giving him up was never an option they considered. We met for a consultation and they listened with concern over the information we shared and enthusiasm over finding out that there were things that could be done to help Copper.
Both Copper and the Powers' were willing pupils who learned very quickly and did their "homework". It didn't take long for the situation to become vastly improved and everyone's anxiety was reduced. I am so happy to work with owners like Scott and Cindee who realize that there are solutions to behavior problems and that with a little work and a big commitment, dilemmas like "separation anxiety" can be resolved without having to use harsh methods of training from Houston Texas Dog Training. All it takes is some understanding and a whole lot of "puppy love".
Comments
from Copper's Owners, The Powers Family:
Comments from Copper's Owners, The Powers Family:
My wife and I bought Copper during Thanksgiving in Austin, Texas. He was the cutest piebald puppy we had ever seen! The first night we had him, my wife and I put him in the bed with us because he was so small and so cute (mistake #1). That is where the problem began. Then, since we both worked, Copper had to stay alone in the master bath. We would come home to find our bathroom destroyed and a dog that was very happy to see us. We thought he didn't like being confined (mistake #2), so we let him have the whole house while we were gone. That didn't work either because Copper would rip up the carpet. We had to replace the carpet so much that we thought we could be part owners of the carpet company!
Copper was a great dog, but he was a TERROR when left alone. We finally learned that Copper suffered from separation anxiety. We searched the Internet and found Loralei's website, "Teachers Pet". Loralei taught Copper and his parents obedience lessons: sit, stay, heel, "Copper, come", and "Leave It". We were taught to control Copper's feeding schedule (Copper ate when he felt like it previously) and how to be the Alpha's. We learned to give Copper "alone time" so he doesn't get too attached to us.
Well, Copper still sleeps with us and still rules the roost somewhat (some things never change) but his anxiety has been greatly reduced. We would look forward to seeing Loralei each week (Copper too! He especially loved to sniff out treats from Loralei's pockets!) Thanks Loralei for helping your star pupil, "Copper" out in this difficult time.
The Powers Family
Previous Months:
September/October 2001's Pet Of The Month
August 2001's Pet Of The Month
July 2001's Pet Of The Month
June 2001's Pet Of The Month
