Update: Behavioral consult scheduled

[Jess & Stewart]

I have a consult scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Stew will be neutered Thursday morning & we will be out of the apartment from Wednesday night until Sunday night, possibly Monday night.

My sister did agree to watch Stew for the rest of that next week. My vet is actually closer to her than it is to my apt, vet is in NJ, I'm across the river in Philly. One thing I'm wondering is if it'll stress Stew out to be away from me. I would think he'd be fine, since she'll give him a ton of attention.

Tonight, my Dad was over & watched Stew while I went to get us take out. He said they played & he distracted him, but at first he was whining at the door. He also jumped all over me (no barks) but I didn't make a big deal about greeting

I left Stew out today & made up a frozen kong. He seemed to do well and the kong still had some thawed food in it at lunch. I put the citronella collar on him & I hope it helped. I was hoping he'd remember the spray from when I used it Friday.

Update: I saw one of my neighbors (super nice guy, he loves Stew). He said he didn't think he heard him since Friday. That's the day I stayed home & tested the citronella collar! So maybe it has been working! I left Stew out for the past 2 days now. I've frozen a large KONG with some if his food and a yogurt, banana, honey mixture (I made my own frosty paws). I moved the crate in my living room, closest to the back deck door. I figured it might help muffle the sound. I left his toy box out, some water, the kong & the rest of his food in a treat ball. I also took him to the park & put him on a long line, played fetch. He didn't fetch the whole time, but I just kept trying to get him to run out the energy. The walk is 0.9 miles one way, including about 25 minutes of fetch/running.

He noticed me leaving but barely barked. He quieted right down. I bet he was hungry (I used to feed him 30 mins before I left) so he went back to the food. Came home for lunch & he walked right up to the door when he heard my keys, jumped on me a lot whimpering but no barks. Went right back to the kong, I definitely tried to make it hard & last! Same thing when I got home. He actually fell asleep after just a short walk to go to the bathroom! The photo attached is what my apt looked like when I got home. It seems like he had ALOT of fun to me!! I'm thinking the kong, treat ball & playing with room to roam helped a lot.

I'm still looking forward to the consult. I want to make sure I'm doing things right & also address the guarding, but I'm wondering if it was more confinement than separation.

[Rosella T]

I have nothing to add because you have all bases covered and have already received all the great advice you need but I just wanted to say that I admire the way you are addressing this problem. You're a great dog mom and a considerate neighbour. :)

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Good luck with the behaviorist and with the neutering.  You are doing all you can and I know it will work out!  Keep us posted!

[BG and Gavin]

Please keep us updated.  Hoping you get the guidance you are hoping for.

[jenn D]

So proud of you for doing this for your pup. Best of luck! :)

[Julie and Max]

Sounds like you are working so hard at this Jess and I am sure it will pay off for you! You should give yourself a big pat on the back for being so dedicated to working this out and to being so considerate of your neighbors, many people are not. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

You are doing a great job with Stewart!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Great news…good luck and be sure to let us know how it goes!