A portrait of my boys, once a week, every week in 2014
Van: Has been holding our hearts in his hands. I know two can be terrible, but it’s a lot of fun too. He’s such a character.
Hooper: Has been testing our patience more than usual. I’m blaming preschool.
Jimmie: Has some serious separation anxiety anytime we leave him alone. It’s causing us a lot of concern.
Click here to check out the series, in its entirety.
My pup has a big of anxiety when she is left alone, she ate a chair leg. We’ve gotten her puzzles and toys that we can fill with dog treats and its helping. Keeps her occupied and gives her something she can take her frustration out on!
chloex
Thanks for the suggestion, we’ve been reading up on it all and trying to come up with a game plan. It ain’t easy…
After seeing Jimmie distracted by Frankie, I’m thinking taking him to the doggie daycare place will be really good. Only $20/day… probably well worth it! It’ll socialize him, keep him busy, and distract him. He’ll come home tired. And I still think exercise would help get his nervous energy out. I have hope!
I love that you are now including Jimmie in these! 2 is a fun age, trying but fun. i’m liking 3 even better. Have you tried leaving music on for Jimmie while you are away? My grandpa was a farmer and always had a radio on in his barns. Not sure if that was more for himself rather than the animals, but worth a try. I have done this for my miniature pintcher from time to time and did see improvement when she was young, she is 14 and starting to revert to her old ways now that she is going deaf and blind. She does not like to be alone. I have to keep her kennel near our Labrador otherwise she will yelp the entire time we are gone or all night. Leaving some music on may make Jimmie feel like someone is there even though you’re not. Boxer pups need lots of exercise, all pups really, but man do boxer’s have a ton of energy. Doggie daycare would be a great idea if you can afford it.Or a doggie park? He may just have too much energy and no way to release it.
I like three even better too 🙂 But 2 has some great moments. We’ve tried leaving the TV on… he’s not there yet… we’re working on it. And yes, we had a boxer prior to Jimmie and know all about their energy. We have a great and affordable doggie daycare nearby so we’re going to give that a try at least once a week. We take him to a dog beach often and he loves that. So do we. Thanks for the comment.
You’re right and I try to focus on all the good times rather than the trying ones. I’m amazed at how much they grow and learn in the first three years of life, it’s astounding. Each year had it’s own milestones. Now seeing the beautiful little boy he is becoming, all my hard work is paying off.
Glad to hear there’s some progress happening with Jimmie. My old dog is getting to be the same way. Her is anxiety over the boy and all his shenanigans though. She wants to be alone when he’s around, but at night she doesn’t want to be in her crate anymore. Ugh…