Border Collie Corner
4 Key Tactics to Soothe Separation Anxiety
Hiya, friends! Sam here. With the steady COVID-19 recovery across the country, I’ve noticed a lot more people outdoors. That’s so great! I love seeing your smiling faces again when I’m on walks. However, this does mean that a lot more pets are being left at home and may be at risk for developing separation anxiety — specifically, fellow dogs. We will typically show anxiety when the owners have left the house. Symptoms can include vocalization (barking and whining), salivating, and any kind of destructive behavior, including pawing and clawing the exterior door where the owners left and tearing up the carpet. We may even soil the house by going to the bathroom indoors, despite being trained otherwise.
Meet Mackenzie and Bergen! Mackenzie grew up in Atkins, Iowa, and graduated from Benton Community High School in 2017 and Iowa State University in 2021. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Her family includes her mom (Robyn), dad (Tony), twin brother (Zach), and an older brother (Chael). She has a tabby cat named Chloe. Kenzie grew up loving animals and spent a lot of time helping with chores and caring for animals on her friend’s family farm. She also grew up around animals with miscellaneous medical issues such as cancer, heart complications, Addison’s disease, and joint problems, which boosted her interest in helping animals. In her free time, she likes running, walking, crafting, sewing, spin flags, and socializing. Bergen is a veterinary assistant at Petersen Pet Hospital. She grew up in a small town called Keota, and the people in her community always knew her as the goofy girl with a contagious smile and a genuine love for animals. Bergen graduated from high school there in 2019. After graduation, she enrolled in the Humane Officer Training Program at Kirkwood Community College and moved to Cedar Rapids. Bergen decided she would like to stay in the Cedar Rapids area and further her career, which is what led her to Petersen Pet Hospital. At a young age, Bergen’s love for animals developed, and she always knew she would have a career that involved caring for animals. When Bergen was 16, she began working at a local animal shelter, and she has worked with animals ever since. Bergen also fosters animals in need. So far, she has been a temporary home to 38 cats/kittens and 10 dogs. Two of her pets are ”foster fails”: her dog, Jax, that she saved from living his puppy days locked in a livestock trailer and her cat, Basil, that was an orphan kitten that she bottle fed since the day he was born. Bergen currently shares her home with quite the handful of pets and spends most of her time with themwhen she is not at work. She enjoys taking her dogs on walks on local nature trails and going to dog parks in the area. Bergen also enjoys fishing, going to concerts, spending time with family, and volunteering at a variety of places.
Ultimately, your priority is to teach us independence again. You want us to feel safe and in control when
Chewy Catnip Treats
Inspired by JoyTheBaker.com
Superstar blogger Joy the Baker brings her baking prowess to the felines with this delicious treat recipe for cats.
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