I am so sorry that it hasn't gotten any easier for you -it really must be frustrating.
I do wonder whether it is a more in-bedded problem with Odie? We've had a couple of set-backs, Harvey's SA has peaked again, but his comes out as howling now...so we're having to work on it again.
Along the line, Odie has learned a behaviour of: you leaving = poo - and it sounds as if he's gotten himself in to that "habit" almost - somehow, that behaviour needs to be reversed, and maybe a behaviourist might be the person to turn to now? It's like the SA has led to habitual behaviour...but, as you know, I'm no expert...
I know with the best will in the world, I can't imagine how frustrated you are - try and keep in your head that he's not doing it to upset you...and at times you can look at them and think "you did that on purpose" when it gets really horrid, try and remember that dogs don't know the concept of vindictive behaviour...and you can bet your bottom dollar, if he could stop upsetting you, he would...he just needs to learn how to "undo" the behaviour he's gotten in to.
That may be so but I'm not in the room nor stressed BEFORE he does it every time, only afterwards!!
With regard to this - he could still be picking up on vibes, if he knows you're frustrated when you come back in - it might be triggering his nervousness, and he's pre-empting your mood...keep looking at that list of all the wonderful things he is...and, a couple of months of stress, out of many years of happiness and joy he will give you, is a small price (yes, you can slap me for saying that, but Im certain he will get through this)
