**Separation Anxiety Update! -- Why do I do this to myself??

[Jen & Ember]

4/16 Update

Well, I am so pleased to announce that Ember has gotten SO much better. Today I took the plunge and webcam-ed her again to see if there had been improvement. Not a peep! Not a groan! No pawing at the crate! Just laid down and went to sleep!! 

SO relieved. 

What has worked: More walks, less doodle-mom-anxiety, training, change in music played (Ember likes classical music, thankyouverymuch ;), and I think most importantly: TIME. I think the move really disrupted her routine. 

Thanks for your support as I stressed and worried and lamented over the situation. :)

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Ramblings of a guilty-feeling doodle mom....

So, a few months ago I video taped Ember when she was home alone. At the time she was about 6 months and was in an open crate attached to an expen. Well, what I observed was her barking/howling/whining and standing up on 2 legs against the expen. It lasted less than 5 minutes then she went to sleep for the rest of the time. From then on I used her crate only for fear that she might try to jump out of the expen and hurt herself. I didn't video tape again.

Fast forward nearly three months and Ember is now almost 8 months old. I have recently (within the last month) moved to a new place. Ember still has her crate. I noticed on one of the first times I left her alone that I could hear her through the front door whining and barking. I figured it was just nerves at being in a new place. It's been nearly a month now and I thought I'd tape, just to see... 

Well, poor Ember whines/barks/scratches at the door of the crate for 10 minutes, then lays down and whines, then pants, then yawns and pants, then whines some more before falling asleep. As I fast forwarded through, there were a number of times that she got up and whined/barked/pawed at the door to get out. Lots of panting.

I don't know what to do to help her feel comfortable. I'm at a loss and I feel awful and guilty. I make sure she is well exercised before I leave, that she has been out and done her doggy business... she gets a kong (which she now ignores), has some toys, and I walk out without any looking back or guilt (until I get to my car, that is).

She goes to daycare 2x per week and the other days she is home in her crate or she goes to my family's home nearby. I wonder if I don't leave her home enough and so each time is like starting over? 

I just feel really bad right now and am not sure what to do at this point. Leave her more often? Never leave the house again and abandon my job and social life? (haha, just kidding). Any suggestions would be so appreciated. 

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Hey...That update sounds great!  I'm glad to hear she's doing better!  She's so freaking adorable!

[Jen & Ember]

Thanks Traci!! I feel SO relieved. :)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for posting the update. So glad Ember is doing well!