I dont think shes anxious usually. How would i tell as u say yours isnt outwardly anxious. Usually just involving leaving. She used to followme to the door and id have to hold her back and now she no longer does which is huge improvement!!...that'd be just me leaving with my fiancee home. Shes so calm at home..just sleeps. Shes gets over excited about her toy and the water..like very intense. Oh and if we are kayaking and shes in my fiancee's kayack she will whine a bit at first to get to me. Shes more attached to me. She used to get upset if I go into starbucks while he holds her but shes getting better there too. She used to jump etc. Oh and when shes excited for walks she bites her leash and plays tug. Dk if thats anxiety. Ugh feeling overwhelmed like im doing everything wrong; (

 Quote: Melissa Hoyer

Have you tried any supplements for relieving the anxiety? Is she generally an anxious dog or are we talking only separation anxiety?

An amino acid called L-Theanine has been down right amazing for my dog's anxiety. It is sold for dogs as Anxitane, but I buy the human supplement.

He weighs 85#, gets 100mg per day on most days. On stressful days, I give him up to 300mg. I can tell when he doesn't have it...not that he is outwardly anxious, just unsettled. I have several friends who use it with great success. Oh, and it costs me about $.15 cents per day. Seriously!

I use this brand - http://www.amazon.com/Enzymatic-Therapy-L-Theanine-Vegetarian-Capsules/dp/B0013OUH8W/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406164309&sr=8-3&keywords=l-theanine

I also have had good success with L-Theanine 100 mg. (for a large dog). I do NOT give it on an empty stomach, having read and heard of gut irritation when given on an empty stomach. I ALWAYS give it with food.

I would check with the vet first.

My own experience has been positive when given for low- to medium-level anxiety.

I have used the brand Melissa posted, and also "Now Foods" brand.

I think it is enhanced by giving it in combination with an efficient-protein food (such as white poultry) and preceded by a good workout (like fetch, for example).

But if my fiancee goes in too she gets excited when he gets back. My tracking trainer said thats coz she thinks shes the pack leader and has to keep us together.

Ok ill look into that. Ill check ingredients on the one i have too. She gets a raw food and its chicken and shes plenty exercised

 Quote: Cat Richter

But if my fiancee goes in too she gets excited when he gets back. My tracking trainer said thats coz she thinks shes the pack leader and has to keep us together.

The trainer is saying that the dog is not perceiving a strong human pack leader in charge.

That is, the dog sees herself as having to be in charge.

Even in a herder, this is relieved as the dog perceives more and more that she does not have to be in charge .... that she HAS a pack leader who protects the whole pack (including the dog(s) and makes all decisions.

IMO, this is critical anyway .... this is the source of security for the dog.

"Oh and when shes excited for walks she bites her leash and plays tug. Dk if thats anxiety. "



Not IMHO! Happily excited and anxious/worried are very different, IMHO.

I don't know what I can do to be her pack leader. I thought I was, shes a good dog, I don't have to discipline her almost ever. She listens. I don't let her pull or jump on me or act aggressive to other animals. If she ever does anything bad im not all that's cute, I will tell her no or leash correct depending on what it was. I cuddle her a lot and shes allowed on the dog couch, is this not good?

Cuddling = good! Allowing on couch is YOUR decision!

For me, a huge hunk of "pack leader" is the dog's clear perception that I am in charge and that no one will accost/hurt/attack the dog, and also that I'm in charge of decisions .... the dog has no decisions to make about interaction with others.

With a sensitive dog in particular, I am calmly between her and all strangers (canine or human), making it clear that she does not need to step up and "protect" or "defend."

This sounds vague, probably. Maybe a good place to start is to observe all instances where she seems anxious, worried, uneasy ..... and think about how I can make it clear that "I got this" ..... while still always staying calm and collected and making sure my demeanor is that of a leader, a protector, a person reliably in charge.

thx connie, I don't think I could stop cuddling, shes sucha suck. I think I do protect her from other dogs and people, though that's not where shes anxious. I will have to really try to observe when she is and try to be calm and maybe she senses my frustration....im sure she does more than I know. shes very smart.

One last question, on the note of anxiety, when we are throwing her toy into the water, she whines, vibrates and sometimes yelps. She will if its a stick, chew madly at it sometimes, shredding it, I can grab it fine, shes not possessive, she will growl if another dog tries to grab it out of her mouth but I try to keep them away so they don't bug her. Is this anxiety? Shes seems extremely intense about it and will pull whining toward the water. I cant imagine not being able to do this though, its a huge energy drain. When she was in heat we would kayack or boat her out to a secret island to throw the toy endlessly into the ocean and rip around the island, spoiled girl, anyway she could do it endlessly, she never wants to stop. If I don't tell her not to she tries to grab it out of my hand after we are done and has nailed my hand a couple times, no blood, but ow lol.