Where to find a DOG TRAINER??

[kaibi]

I recently adopted my dog Kaibi, a year old maltese with a heart of gold. Unfortunately he has separation anxiety - a trait that doesn't help when I work 8hrs a day and would like to explore Korea every now and then.

I left him with a coworker last weekend to pet sit, and it was so bad that he got complaints about the barking. I walk him almost everyday and have talked to my vet about options for training, but I've had no success.

If anyone knows any English-speaking dog trainer in the South Seoul or Bundang area, (somewhere I could get info or a consultation...anything!!) it would be a HUGE help!

Thanks in advance!!

[luvoboe]

I'm not sure about finding a dog trainer, but if you do, could you let me know the info. I just wanted to suggest what I did with my little Shih-tzu. He had horrible separation anxiety so for about 4 months I took him everywhere I went in a soft sided carrier. It looks like a regular bag and he's very good and just sleeps when he's in it so I could take him everywhere. I even took him to the hospital a couple of times but I felt very guilty about that. This eventually got very old because I got sick of packing up his food and water and ice packs and all that stuff. I started to feel like I had a baby!! So, as a last resort, we got another dog. This worked great! He is fine when we leave him alone. So, maybe you could get a second dog.

[annie]

Hi there!
First of all, make sure it is not simply out of boredom that he is acting like that. A well exercised dog has less risks of acting as if he had separation anxiety. In your post, you mentioned that you walk your dog ALMOST everyday. A dog should be walked at least twice a day. I know it is hard when you work long hours, but if it avoids problems...And, it can be only 15 minutes each time.

If your dog doesn't destroy anything or pees everywhere, it doesn't sound like a real case of separation anxiety. You said that your dog was with a friend at the time. How is he when you leave (on regular days)?

Also, does he have toys and chewing bones? A dog needs stimulation to make him forget you are gone (well, humans do too or we go crazy, right?).

Does he have a place of his own? A bed or crate where he can go for comfort?

Well, from there, if you think that it is still a separation anxiety problem let me know, and I'll give you all the tricks I know.

[kaibi]

Hi there!
First of all, make sure it is not simply out of boredom that he is acting like that. A well exercised dog has less risks of acting as if he had separation anxiety. In your post, you mentioned that you walk your dog ALMOST everyday. A dog should be walked at least twice a day. I know it is hard when you work long hours, but if it avoids problems...And, it can be only 15 minutes each time.

If your dog doesn't destroy anything or pees everywhere, it doesn't sound like a real case of separation anxiety. You said that your dog was with a friend at the time. How is he when you leave (on regular days)?

Also, does he have toys and chewing bones? A dog needs stimulation to make him forget you are gone (well, humans do too or we go crazy, right?).

Does he have a place of his own? A bed or crate where he can go for comfort?

Well, from there, if you think that it is still a separation anxiety problem let me know, and I'll give you all the tricks I know.
Hi Annie!

He's got a few different things he can chew on (milk bones, raw hides, etc) but it's gotten to the point where he's scratched up my door and rips up anything he can get his little paws on (but only when I'm gone).

He doesn't pee everywhere anymore (it stopped almost automatically when i got him neutered!) and I take my bike and have him run beside me about 4 times a week for an hour. He does have both a bed he sleeps in, and i leave the door to his travel crate open if he wants to lounge about. He's a perfect angel when i'm around, but once i leave he turns into a little terror.

I had a lot of visitors the last month and things went well when I was away and they were at home. (I guess he's just lonely?) I think I'll walk him before and after I go to work now, that sounds like it may do the trick.

I'm welcome to any other techniques you may have!!! Thanks so much for your help!!