Tasha and Others

Posts Tagged ‘special toy’

I can’t believe that it’s been a month since I’ve written in here. I’m home now and with Tasha again. She stays by me when I write, and she follows me around the house. Some would say that she’s a good candidate for separation anxiety.

I don’t do the right things. I tell her that I’ll “be right back” when I leave her. I don’t think she believes me. And when I come home, I’m as excited as she is. I’m not supposed to act as if I’m leaving when I’m going out or show much emotion when I walk in the door.

I just wrote an article for Dogspired on this topic. I learned quite a few tips. Since I’m doing everything wrong, it’s time to pick a plan and do some things right.

1. I need to give Tasha a special toy when I leave. She has so many bones and tennis balls, I’m going to have to buy her a “special” toy to have for the occasion.
2. Keep the television on. I do this when I’m working, so I’m sure Tasha would appreciate it if I left it on for her to hear and to drown out the noise of anything unusual. There’s almost no noise around here, but there could be dogs barking around the lake.
3. About the sleeping arrangement: Get her to sleep in her doggie bed. I always praise her for going in there, so she should see it as a good thing. I can’t afford for her to sleep all cuddled up next to me. You just never know…I read that her sleeping in bed with me fosters dependence.
4. No more jumping up when I come home. I know she’s happy to see me (or other people), but the jumping up has to stop. I know how friendly and social she is, but she can easily knock someone down. Don’t know how to solve this one.

Luckily, I work at home most of the time. This can be a good and bad thing for Tasha. She gets used to my being at home and dreads my leaving and not taking her along.

I’ll try out a plan and see if we can get it together. Stay tuned!