Separation Anxiety

Due to Zuul's recent separation anxiety that is manifesting itself into Zuul repeatedly scratching her nose on her crate, we are having to change the way we interact with her. I don't know who is taking it hardest: Tom, Zuul or me. I have enjoyed snuggling with Zuul and telling her hello when she comes up to me, but all of that now must change. Tom and I have to reassert ourselves as the pack leaders, so that Zuul won't think she needs to protect us. Somehow this all relates to her separation anxiety. Darn animal behavior! We now have to call her to us if we want to interact with her and ignore her if she comes to us without being summoned. I'm having to use a big, scary, commanding voice to get her to realize I'm the boss. Tom says it isn't scary, but I think otherwise. Getting her to stop tearing her nose apart will probably take a while, but I'm hopeful. Until then, we have provided her with pieces of cardboard to destroy in her crate, so that she can take out her aggression on the cardboard and not the crate. So far, she loves it. Hopefully, she will get over this soon. Otherwise we will have to get her one of those cone head things.