Your Separation Anxiety webinar was EXCELLENT (and timely for me)! Just today, I met with a client who has a 6-year bou who appears to have separation anxiety. His anxiety seems to be apparent when the husband of the couple leaves the house, even when the wife is at home. When the wife leaves, the pup is fine with the husband at home. I wondered if your "mission protocol" should be used in the same way in this instance or is this, perhaps, a different kind of separation anxiety.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for your kind words, and I appreciate you asking this question, Dianne! There are certain aspects of the protocol that would be the same for this scenario, however, one big additional piece that I would consider is expanding this dog's circle. I understand that this dog is particularly attuned to the husband, and as such, we want to "elevate" mom and others in this dog's life. I recommend special toys, treats, and tricks be used just by mom so that she starts to predict novel fun and yummy things. The process will take time, but coupling these activities with mom can help, and you would also start by doing brief Missions that keep the dog under his threshold. I am so glad that you are going to help this couple and their boy!