Hi @JennyWren! Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you’d rather discuss this privately—I’d love to help!

Understanding Rambo’s Behavior:
First, let’s assess Rambo’s behavior. Does he like to lick you a lot, like spending several minutes licking your hand? Does he lick his paws excessively, even to the point of causing soreness? And how old is he?

Using Puzzles for Separation Anxiety:
Puzzles are a great tool to keep Rambo positively engaged, especially when he’s dealing with separation. To make puzzles effective, start by doing them with Rambo while you’re home. Create a routine where puzzles or snuffle mats are part of your time together. This prevents him from associating the puzzle only with your absence.

Here’s why puzzles are so beneficial: dogs experience the world largely through scent. Smell is central to their sense of self and environment. By working on scent-based activities like puzzles, you help strengthen Rambo’s confidence and sense of the world.

Counter Conditioning and Desensitization (CC&D):
One powerful technique for behavior change is CC&D—Counter Conditioning and Desensitization. This involves gradually changing Rambo’s reaction to a stressor, like being left alone, from fear to calmness. Here’s how it works: if Rambo feels anxious when you leave, keep him just below his anxiety threshold, where he’s slightly tense but not panicking. Then, offer a high-value treat as soon as you start to leave, making the experience more positive. If he’s too anxious to eat, it could mean he’s too close to his threshold. Next time, try stepping away more gradually and offering an even tastier treat. Repeat this gradually, easing Rambo closer to success.

Behavior Adjustment Therapy (BAT):
Another approach is Behavior Adjustment Therapy (BAT), which focuses on teaching Rambo to control his reactions. By combining CC&D with BAT, we reinforce calm behaviors in stressful situations. When Rambo can hold a sit or down, even while slightly anxious, we overlap operant conditioning (learning from consequences) with classical conditioning, creating a powerful behavior shift.

How It Relates to Separation Anxiety and Puzzles:
Using puzzles combines the reward (treats) with the task (puzzle-solving), engaging Rambo through operant conditioning. Begin by “loading” the puzzle: do it with him when you’re home so it’s not only associated with your absence. If Rambo eats kibble, use the puzzle for feeding—it’ll make him look forward to it even more!

Then, start introducing short separations. Begin by leaving the room briefly, and slowly work up to longer absences as his comfort grows. Try timing your separations around how long it takes him to finish a puzzle. Gradually extend the time as he gains confidence.

Encouraging Calm After the Puzzle:
To help Rambo settle, stay with him after the puzzle is done without giving any attention—no touch, talk, or eye contact. Wait until he relaxes on his own. With time, he’ll learn to associate finishing the puzzle with napping or calm behavior. You can have a bone or chew toy ready for him afterward as reinforcement.

Introducing Scent Games and Impulse Control Exercises:
Scent games like hiding treats can be a fun way to challenge Rambo. Start by hiding a treat while he watches, and cue him with “find it” or “search.” Over time, this game can be a go-to when working on separation anxiety.

Impulse control exercises (such as “stay,” “leave it,” and “wait”) teach Rambo to pause and think before reacting. Start with low-value treats, gradually increasing both the treat value and level of distraction. Build in duration first, then add distance and complexity to the task. Teaching him to wait calmly before reacting strengthens his ability to cope with stress.

Ultimately, you’re helping Rambo learn patience, self-control, and confidence, moving toward a balanced, healthy attachment. Let me know if you have questions—I’m here to help!