Helping Dog Cope with Mom & Dad's Separation

[mikkehla]

I am bracing for the worse and hoping to get some ideas on how to help the pooch with the transition of being with mom only.

"Mom and Dad" are separating and Mom is getting custody of the dog. Mom and Dad are still on good terms and Mom wants Dad to see dog as much as he would like.

It has taken years to get Dog to settle in and get past her separation anxiety, however, she still has problems when left somewhere other than our apartment.

I am very concerned about how she will react when Dad moves out and Mom and Dog move to a new apartment. When ever Mom or Dad is not home, she patiently waits at the top of the stairs for the missing person to come home. I am concerned about her actions when Dad doesn't come home and concerned about how to break her into the new apartment so she does not damage the new place like she did the old place.

I've heard that after the death of a pet's owner, something of the owner's should be left for the dog so the dog can smell it. Should I try this? Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks.

[Karen]

How old is Dog? Dogs will adjust with time, some just take a little longer. Is she crate-trained? Or does she have a certain bed or blanket that is hers? Moving that to the new apartment will certainly help.

This will be a stressful time for the whole family, but I hope everyone makes it through okay.

[mikkehla]

Dog is approximately 6 years old. Unfortunately she is not crate trained - we tried, but having adopted her around age 3 and not knowing her previous history, she did not take to crate training well. She has plenty of itmes that are "hers", blankets, beds, pillows, etc., all of which will be moved with us.

[boricuajenny5]

My dog doesnt and never did sit around waiting. She had a whole house to run around instead of the apartment we had before so there was much more for her to focus on. She doesnt seem to miss him but when she sees him she definitely remembers and goes crazy in excitment. Dogs adjust better than we do.