Gets Crazy when he sees a car or anyone leaves

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psardo

Forums Regular
I don't know if this is separation anxiety but my sheltie who is 10 months old, freaks out when someone leaves the house by the front door (boys to bus) or when my husband leaves for work. He paces from one end of the house to the other until the car leaves, if I hold him by the sliding glass door, he howls to himself and freaks out. After whomever leaves, he calms down. This is when someone is still home. He will also get crazy when we are out in the yard and a car or truck will go by. I know if he was off his leash (he never is) that he would run after the car but he just goes crazy and is in another world. It takes me 3-5 mins to calm him down. We can never walk in our neighborhood because he is afraid of 2 dogs on the corner. We walk alot in the woods on paths or around the dog park but freaks out when he sees cars.
How can I calm him down in these two situations?
 
I can really only offer advice for the first issue you've mentioned. I'm sure other members will chime in with more suggestions.

When I leave my house, the dogs have learned that it is awesome. Sometimes, I hide treats all around and they are released to go find them as soon as I step out. Other times I fill a kong up with frozen goodies (I usually use pumpkin and whatever else I may have around). They get the kong right as I'm about to go. Now, my dogs are practically pushing me out because they are so excited to get their treats.

You may also want to consider using a crate, x-pen, or baby gates to confine your dog to a certain area to keep his anxiety contained.
 
Angel was like that whenever any one of us left the room and she couldn't follow because of baby gates. She'd pace around and couldn't settle until we were all together again. I might be wrong, but I atributed t to her herding drive...wanting us all where she could see us.

Lexi was bad about cars when she was little. Jumping and barking whenever one went by when we were walking along the sidewalk. I just made her sit and watch me as the car went by, then praised her up if she was calm, and gradually the problem disappeared.

As far as the 2 dogs on the corner...I do just what you've done...not walk by there.
 
My older Sheltie used to bark and bite at our ankles when we closed the shower door. Or any other door for that matter. It became a favorite game of his. My solution was to shut him in his crate where he couldn't see the doors close after someone's departure.
 
Jaynie said:
My older Sheltie used to bark and bite at our ankles when we closed the shower door. Or any other door for that matter. It became a favorite game of his. My solution was to shut him in his crate where he couldn't see the doors close after someone's departure.
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My new foster is like that. He goes absolutely nuts when someone leaves the house or even goes through a door. If he knows you are leaving he nips at any lunch bag or anything else you might be carrying. If you don't have anything, then he nips at your leg. He's broken my skin on a couple occasions. We have got to break him of this if he is going to be adopted.
 
dmeyer123 said:
Angel was like that whenever any one of us left the room and she couldn't follow because of baby gates. She'd pace around and couldn't settle until we were all together again. I might be wrong, but I atributed t to her herding drive...wanting us all where she could see us.

Lexi was bad about cars when she was little. Jumping and barking whenever one went by when we were walking along the sidewalk. I just made her sit and watch me as the car went by, then praised her up if she was calm, and gradually the problem disappeared.

As far as the 2 dogs on the corner...I do just what you've done...not walk by there.
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This is what I did. Make your dog sit whenever a car goes by: just before it comes close to you, with you facing the dog-have as much distance from the road as you can, keep the leash short with the dog right below you-that way it cannot spin or lunge. Do it consistently and show calmness- wait until the car is passed before you praise. Don't say a word until the car has passed by. Good luck
 
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