OK, I don't usually post in Natter and clicked on it by chance, and you're talking about pets! So I have to share this link. Labs for adoption: [link]

Broken now.

Way back when I was pregnant with Annabel, I dreamed about a brown-haired daughter who wanted to be a chef when she grew up.

Every night now she insists on standing on a chair beside us as we cook and helping in any way she can. DH is better about this than I am--I tend to be task-oriented to a fault and constantly in a hurry to get to the next thing on the list, but I'm trying to get better. I know, I know, she's at the stage to like to help, and she probably won't be a chef. But it's still cute as can be.

Tep, sorry for the delay, I was writing a message to fire my longest running people client. After 8 years, that took some thought.

sarameg beat me to my first recommendation. Rescue Remedy is a great option. It can, in no way, harm the dog and I've seen it work wonders. You can put 4 drops in her water at the beginning of the day and during particularly stressful times, rub a couple drops directly into the underside of her ears. (this is a richly veined area, which increases the absorption rate)

There are many, many herbal anxiety preparations but it's difficult to recommend one over the others. You have to try a few to see which work.

When Bartleby had debilitating separation anxiety, he ate an entire packet of tablets and wasn't one bit less anxious.

On the other hand, I know a couple who use the "Homeopet" anxiety product with good effect.

More than that though, I'd recommend looking into some behavioral and even dietary considerations.

Shaking all the time is not a good sign but may also be a genetic anomaly. Thanks to ND's frequent clients, the Dalmatian genetic streams have been...to some people's thinking...irreparably damaged. Your pooch's shaking may just be part of her physiology.

The number 1 thing you must do...and the very hardest...is to not let her anxiety hike up your own. Responding to her as if there is something wrong (given a clean bill of health from a competent vet) just reinforces the behavior.

When possible, ignore the barking altogether. Behavior that is not reinforced is eventually extinguished. This takes the patience of Job and breaking what are probably some long standing habits.

The cure for Bartleby's anxiety...or rather the management of it because it will always be a part of him...is routine. In the past, he would bark from the moment I left, to the moment I returned hours later. Sometimes so hard he made is throat bleed.

We haven't had a problem in 5 years. Every time I ask him to be away from me, I do and say the very same thing in the very same voice. As a result, he knows that "You be GOOD!" means he is safe.

You might also try limiting your dog's range territory. Dogs are a den based animal with no adequate dens. The less space she has to roam, the less likely she is to feel threatened. If she does not have a crate, you might want to consider training her to one. It isn't cruel, it is working with her instinct.

eta: I meant to say, ping my profile addy and let's chat by phone. With more detail, I might be able to give you more specific solutions.

I grew up with a calm dog - except around fireworks/gunshots -always she found the smallest place she could fit to feel safe. A crate is a good idea

Would ita mind being compared to this fluffy bunny?

[link]

Another really important principle of good primate/canine communication is this:

Give the dog a chance to do something you want vs. responding to what you don't want. Their minds simply can't grasp abstract thought so doing natural things (like peeing or chewing or digging or fillintheblank annoyance) can't ever really be wrong to them.

Accommodating our 'civilized' needs is not even remotely natural, no matter how much a dog wishes to please you. Fido can't really nut out...'hey, if I don't get on the couch, or pee on the rug or chew on the shoes, I'll get fed.' Instead it's...'SHOES, my favorite thing. Whoa! Food just appeared here. Party!'

Think up some 'games' or a series of behaviors that you can string together consistently. Do them over and over, about 10 minutes per session, no more than 2 or 3 sessions per day. Once you get these behaviors down, you can ask for them in times of stress or when you want a distraction to avoid a problem.

For instance, my clients love Bartleby, and make a fuss over him when they come in my house. He gets excited and barks. This is bad. I have trained him to go 'in your basket' and put the doggy bed called basket near where the client sits. I require him to stay there until he is calm and the client is settled on the couch. Once Bboy is calm, he has earned the pleasure of greeting the guest. The 'say hi' command means he can move in front of the person and sit for them to pet him. This also works when we are out in the street. "Say hi" is a GREAT one. I highly recommend it.

Interesting verdict. Home schooling in California limited to credentialed teachers.

I heard that, David, and went huh. I mean, I don't think this threatens all 160,000 kids being homeschooled in CA as the lawyer asserts. In reality, the Longs could have (not speaking fiscally) hired a credentialed teacher to tutor and that would suffice. Or Mama Long could get a teaching credential.

I could homeschool and I have thought about it. But I am a dual credentialed teacher. I can't afford to homeschool, but that's a whole 'nother thing.

Rescue Remedy is a great option. It can, in no way, harm the dog and I've seen it work wonders. You can put 4 drops in her water at the beginning of the day and during particularly stressful times, rub a couple drops directly into the underside of her ears. (this is a richly veined area, which increases the absorption rate)

I need to get some of that for my neighbor to give the incredibly high-pitched yappy terrier he has staying with him for the next couple of weeks.

OMG, that is one INSANE fluffy bunny!!

It's the Vorple (Vorpul?) Bunny!