Separation Anxiety

[Kristy]

My dachsie Schnitzel is very attached to me. If I am gone overnight he wigs out. Last weekend my daughter even slept with him in my bed and he ripped up an entire pillow in the middle of the night. He has never destroyed anything when I'm around.
I am leaving for vacation in a couple of weeks and am very worried that he will drive his baby sitter nuts, besides being a nervous wreck. Any tips on how I can make his time away from me bearable? He will also be sleeping in his crate and I know he will hate that. Maybe I've spoiled him too much for his own good..............

[Mark]

Hi Kristy,

Hmmm, I think someone else with that problem had some success leaving a T-shirt that she had worn quite a bit without washing. The scent seemed to help.

I also suggest the sitter does his/her best to wear Schnitzel out in the evening before bedtime.

Fortunately ours do very well with my mom dogsitting.

I hope this helps and with all the knowledge here among the members, perhaps you'll get some more suggestions.

Good luck & please let us know how it goes,
Mark

[MarissaM]

The T-shirt thing is great! I have tried it and it works. Just sleep in the T-shirt for 2 or 3 days immediately prior to leaving town. It should be quite comforting.