Shift work and pets.

"Velcro-dog"...I like that term.

Can I also add that she's terribly gassy lately? Dog farts are the absolute worst. I feel so badly for her.

I've seen simethicone in pet meds at PetsMart..... I started giving my dog chewable people simethicone (and if I ask her if she needs a gas pill....ie- she's burping a lot, she perks up and gets one ). Chewable cherry cream Gas-X .... works for both of us

Can you leave a pair of your unwashed socks as a security object? Wear a pair one day off, and knot them together for her. :) Re: shedding, can you brush her when you get home? Spend time with her, AND get some of the hair off before going to bed...she may chill to just have the extra time with mom :redbeathe

They are 'babies' .... and it's hard to see them having a hard time- but they can adjust. When I got my current dog, she was really tiny (less than 3 pounds). I stayed home the first week (I'm single, live alone, and used my vacation time). When I went back to work, I was lucky enough to work an office job at a LTC, so the residents loved her. But she grew enough to need room to roam more than in the office or potty breaks. The first day I left her at home and not in the kitchen w/baby gate, I was a bit worried about my doll collection (realistic vinyl dolls). They were on shelves near the floor- and I had images of their toes being chewed off. All she did was take off ALL of their socks and leave them in a pile by the back door She never did it again- she got it figured out that I was coming home, and the "drama" wasn't necessary (it was funny, though...not sad, like your 4-legged kid ). I hear ya about the thunder and lightening. Mine can't get close enough. When bad weather is forecast, I just plan on no sleep... she gets so upset.

Good luck :)

Can't help you, I have a tarantula, only need to feed it every week or so, doesn't go for walks, and does not need to be petted.

First:

Second: :sofahider

I worked at a nature center where they had one in a tank...I have a policy about creatures with more than 4 legs.... I'm glad yours is safe

When I was working nights, my puppy would stay up at night with my husband but would have to go in the kennel during the day when I slept; hence he would sleep during the day. This arrangement was awful for my husband...the puppy had sooo much built up energy/anxiety. He would run around like a wild dog and chew everything. We agreed my husband would meet me at the dog park on my way to work/on his way home so the dog could exercise physically. He also has "brain toys" so he can be mentally stimulated. Now that I am on days, we have a lovely dog walker :) We leave the radio on for him and sometimes the TV so he can watch animal planet. Good luck!

when i go to work I say to the cat "right, I am off to work to earn money to buy cat food"

I like the term velcro dog that made me laugh.

When I have been on a few days, the cat gets a bit clingy especially in the mornings. But I let her sleep with me every night and yeah, sometimes I can tell she misses me, especially when she does "leg iron cat" when i get home. First thing she does is attaches herself to my leg like a leg iron and wont let go. I walk down the hall or into the loo with the fluffly leg iron attched to me.

All in all she is pretty good though but at times she will just constantly meow because she has missed me. When i call her she settles down but if she cant see me she gets very meowie and I can hear a bit of distress in that meow.

When I am on days off I say "hey kitty, mum is staying home with you all day today, wont that be nice" and 9/10 times she disappears for half the day sometimes longer...I just dont get it.

I dont know much about dogs but I do hope you find a solution because I think your dog misses you very much. True love.

The reason she is so closely bonded with you is because for the early parts of her life you were the one home with her all day providing her with safety and security. In a dog's mind that defines a "pack leader." Now all of a sudden the leader of her pack is disappearing for 12-14 hour lengths of time, which is sure to cause some anxiety. It might help if you encourage other members of the family to do some obedience work. That way she will trust them to be "back-up leaders" for when you are not home. Also previous posters are right, don't coddle her, that reinforces that feeling anxious is a good thing. That doesn't make sense so it is going to make her even more anxious.

This also sounds counter-intuitive but when you come home from work, not only should you not let her jump on you like that, it also helps to "ignore" the dog for a couple minutes. Then you can greet her all you want :) I know that with my dog if the first thing I do is drop everything I am carrying and give him belly rubs he tears around the house for 15 minutes...not cool with an 80 lb shepherd. When I put my leftovers in the fridge, go to my room and change, or (when I lived at my parents) greeted them first, he calms down relatively quickly. Then I give him a good 5-10 minutes of loving and take him for his walk.

Also, you can visit http://www.dogforums.com, there are people there who are excellent at understanding dog behavior, and they may be able to give you much better advice than I can.

^^ Glad today was better! Hope it stays that way :)

Don't ever think that it's "too late" I'm a HUGE fan of Cesar Milan, and he says dogs live in the present. Even when something has been the case for years, you can change it, and they're good with it if you're consistent and calm.

My mutt doesn't get anxious, but she does get bored out of her skull. I'm scared to bring in a 2nd dog because I'm working full time and in school, and think it would be too much, but sometimes think a buddy would give her something to do when we're all gone for hours.

*grin*

I can just imagine the day when I come in and all the cats are sitting there, my senior kitty sporting an old pair of reading glasses and reading from a note, saying "Ahem....we have formulated a list of demands if you want to see the dog again....daily fresh catnip mice, baked turkey, a special human to clean the catbox after each visit...."