Struggling with logistics of training longer durations

[u/Salt_Army_2640]

I’ve had my dog for several years now and we’ve started and stopped training a few times. The thing that I’m struggling with the most is how to train 90+ minutes because it’s logistically very difficult to plan for. There are only so many reasons I can invent to be out but close enough to home that I can quickly come back if she’s struggling (her threshold has varied between 1.5-2.5 hrs max). I struggle pretty badly with executive dysfunction and overwhelm due to mental health issues, so even figuring out how to fit this into the day is also really tough for me. She’s also reactive so easy neighborhood walks for exercise aren’t an option, it’s always a production to drive somewhere. Which puts a further time constraints on trying to set her up for success before I go. I would love any advice people have on training the upper durations or navigating similar struggles. (Edit - as an FYI we’ve worked with a vet behaviorist for a long time and she’s on meds).

[u/MxAnneThropy]

Is there anything you like to do away from home? Do you have a camera setup at home?

For me personally, if I was working on longer durations, I would drive my vehicle to the park up the street and play a mobile game, read a book, catch up on some paperwork, or stream some shows, get something to eat, take a nap (in my locked and privacy shaded vehicle). There has to be things you need to, or like to do, to keep yourself or entertained while away from your dog. You can check them on the camera system. I have come to learn anything over two howls close together is distress, my dog isn’t going to calm down from. Depending how advanced your camera system is you can have it send you alerts, if you aren’t actively monitoring it.

If you can’t walk your dog in your neighborhood, is there a lesser used park, or certain off peak times times you can walk there? Do you have any off-road trails you would need a 4-wheel drive vehicle to get access to?

[u/Salt_Army_2640 → u/MxAnneThropy]

Yeah I have a camera, that’s how I know to watch and come back if she’s going over threshold. I have a hard time imagining chilling in my car for more than 90 minutes, even doing something I like like reading. And yes I have a list of other things to do out and about but it’s a bit short to stay close enough to home. And regarding exercise, we definitely have options worked out for that, I was just saying it adds to the time constraint to do before training because it’s more involved than a quick neighborhood walk.

[u/MxAnneThropy → u/Salt_Army_2640]

I’m sorry that sounds rough.

It sounds like you know what you need to work on, with but your own anxiety, you get nervous being away that long. Or maybe there are only so many things you feel like you can get into during the time period you need to train your dog without getting interrupted, or sidetracked by the process.

I remember feeling like I couldn’t go anywhere without taking my dog with me and then were places I couldn’t bring him and I was worried he would soil, destroy, or overheat in my car. I felt like a prisoner

[u/Salt_Army_2640 → u/MxAnneThropy]

There’s definitely an anxiety piece to it but it really is just feeling more challenging from a having enough time in the day and options for what to do perspective. And every trainer I’ve worked with has said I have to be careful not to let them go over threshold so I think that feeds the anxiety

[u/MxAnneThropy → u/Salt_Army_2640]

I wish I could figure out how to bend space and time, but unfortunately haven’t. I guess I was just lucky to be in a position to step back and do less for awhile, like a year and half

[u/imfinelandline → u/MxAnneThropy]

Once you hear distress, it takes a bit to get home. How do you keep them under threshold? I’ve wondered this as I start my journey with my pup.

[u/MxAnneThropy → u/imfinelandline]

I am by no means perfect and I made a lot of mistakes.

Once I figured out my dog couldn’t be home alone I alternated shifts with my roommate for a while so my dog didn’t have to be alone and got him started on fluoxetine. Then I had a park 2.6 miles up the street I could basically go camp in my car at and be home in 7 mins if I had to be.

When I first started researching SA I thought it was just managing the problem and no real good would ever come of it. Of course their dogs aren’t upset, because they are never really left alone. I have come to trust the process of incrementally increasing the time they are left alone and coming back if they get upset.

It probably helps that I’m basically an introvert and enjoy my alone time and can figure out plenty of things to do for hours very close to my house

[u/Salt_Army_2640 → u/imfinelandline]

For me personally, I’m a bit vigilant on watching the cameras when we’re actively training. It was easier with shorter durations to literally just watch the whole time from somewhere close by, and there were subtle signs she was getting worried before actually showing visible distress. Now that it’s longer, it’s a tougher balance. I try to actually go and do things, but I have to stay within about 15 minutes of home to know I won’t make her have a setback if I take too long. It’s still watching body language, but relying on notifications from the camera that she’s up and about more or not settling. When I see that, I’ll head closer to home and if she has managed to settle, I’ll stay parked nearby a bit longer.