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The Dog Classroom Monthly Newsletter
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August 2018 Newsletter
Is it really Separation Anxiety?

I wanted to share some information from a webinar that I have listened to a few times called Separation-Related Distress by veterinary behaviourist Dr. Lore Haug.

Many of us believe that our dog is suffering from separation anxiety but there are other separation issues to consider.  For example:
  • Play/exploratory behaviour; some owners believe that their dog has anxiety while they are gone but the dog is bored and has the opportunity to destroy things.
  • Outside stimuli; a dog can be stressed or become anxious due to something they hear or see outside for example a cat or the mailman. 
  • Frustration induced/confinement distress is experienced while in a kennel or bedroom and the dog will have anxiety being locked in this place. 
  • Isolation distress; this occurs when our dog cannot be with us (they may be outside or behind a gate). This may occur when we are home or not home. 
  • Storm/noise phobia this occurs when the dog is reacting to different sounds while being home alone. 
  • Finally true Separation Anxiety where the dog may harm themselves, lose control of their bladder/bowels, and feel intense panic when separated from a particular individual.
So the question is how do we know which one our dog has? The ability to video tape our dog gives us a lot of information as we can see their behaviour when we are not at home. You can also ask yourself a few questions that may help you figure it out:
  • Is your dog ok in the kennel while you are home? Or do they whine?
  • Have you trained them to be comfortable in the kennel?
  • Does your dog follow you around when you are home?
  • Is your dog bonded to one individual in the household?
  • Does your dog destroy things when you are gone, as well as when you are home?
  • Is your dog able to eat treats or a kong while you are gone?
With any type of separation issues I recommend that you have a good relationship with your Veterinarian, and rule out a medical condition before diagnosing separation anxiety.
This Month's Feature:
NADAC Agility Trial
Aug 17-19 at Chippewa Park


Come out to Chippewa Park to cheer on our agility instructors and students as they compete in the NADAC aglity trial this month!

We will also have more info about the September AAC trial soon!
Upcoming Classes

Puppy Playschool
Tues Aug 28 - Sept 18 6:10-7:10pm
Sat Sept 8 - Sept 29 12:20-1:20pm

Beginning with Basics
Thurs Sept 6 - Oct 18 7:30-8:30pm
Sat Sept 8 - Oct 20 10:00-11:00am
Mon Sept 10 - Oct 29 6:10-7:10pm
Tues Sept 11 - Oct 23 10:00-11:00am
Wed Sept 12 - Oct 24 5:00-6:00pm
Wed Sept 12 - Oct 24 8:30-9:30pm

It's Small Time (Beginning with Basics for small dogs)
Wed Sept 12 - Oct 24 6:10-7:10pm
 
The Next Step
Thurs Sept 6 - Oct 18 6:15-7:15pm
Sat Sept 8 - Oct 20 11:10-12:10pm
Mon Sept 10 - Oct 29 7:20-8:20pm
Tues Sept 11 - Oct 23  11:10-12:10pm
 
Branching Out
Mon Sept 10 - Oct 29 8:30-9:30pm

Walkin' & Recall
Sat Sept 8 - Oct 27 12:30-1:15pm
Sat Sept 8 - Oct 27 1:30-2:15pm

Rally Freestyle
Tues Sept 11 - Oct 23 7:20-8:20pm

Scent Games
Thurs Sept 6 - Oct 18 8:40-9:40pm

Agility Classes
Small Dog Agility Wed Sept 12 - Oct 24 7:20-8:20pm
Fundamentals Tues Sept 11 - Oct 23 8:30-9:30pm
Fundamentals Sun Sept 9 - Nov 4 6:30-7:30pm
Novice Sept 9 - Nov 4 5:15-6:15pm
Intermediate Sept 9 - Nov 4 4:00-5:00pm
Advanced Sept 30 - Nov 25 2:45-3:45pm
Comp 1 Sept 30 - Nov 25 11:15-12:45pm
Comp 2 Sept 30 - Nov 25 1:00-2:30pm

Reactive Dog Class
Sat Sept 8 - Oct 27 3:00pm
Class Schedule (click to enlarge)
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