wow...not sure how i reposted the original message, but that is NOT what i wanted to do!!!

anyway, here is the post i originally meant to send :

i understand your reluctance to give your dog drugs, but the anti-anxiety drugs aren't like tranqs. my dog also has severe sep. anxiety, and if he weren't taking elavil, i don't think we could have kept him.

the program my dog is on, which was prescribed by the univ. of penn. vet. medicine behavior clinic consists of medication, behavior training and deference training.

During the behavior training (2x a day, fifteen minutes a session) the dog must sit and stay while you move progressively further away, make weird noises and movements, and finally move out of sight. when he obeys, he gets a treat.

Deference training means taht if your dog wants something, he must sit for it. Petting walks, combing, dinner....everything.

They also suggested music, television, and lots and lots of exercise. A tired dog is a happy dog! :-)

Hope this helps a little. Good luck to you!