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A lot of time is spent with the puppy while it is new to the household. This is good for the puppy's socialization, but he becomes dependent on the pack. There must be a balance of socialization and isolation, or independence. By spending too much time with the puppy, you are conveying to him that he does not have to worry about anything, because the pack is strong and someone is always there to take care of him. This can cause the puppy to become dependent on those around him and loose his assertiveness.
As the puppy begins to grow, less time is spent playing with him, and the training sessions become shorter and farther apart. The pack always goes away to work, school, etc., and the puppy is left behind. Not only is he left behind, the pack goes through this ritual of letting him know he is being left behind with hugs, kisses, and pats of reassurance that you will return. You believe he should be reassured, but what your dog hears is, "I am leaving, and you can't come with me." The puppy gets the feeling of being abandoned. He becomes anxious at your leaving, and he begins to bark, howl, run in circles, and, eventually, tries to grab hold of your clothing or your hand in an attempt to keep you with him. You stop what you are doing and try to console him. You think you are reassuring him about your leaving and returning, but all the dog knows is that he is going to be left alone.
Your dog is not able to be with you, and he is not in a place that he considers his den. As he advances toward adulthood, these reassurances become more and more commonplace, and the anxiety builds in the dog. He becomes more anxious about your leaving and totally out of control when you return.
Here is what the dog believes. You have said your goodbyes and he is now alone. All the barking and howling and carrying on, running up and down the house, have not brought you back, so the dog settles on the next best thing to your being there; your scent. Your scent is all over the house, and, if the dog has full run of the house, he is going to seek it out. He will find the places where the scent is the strongest, such as; Shoes, Clothes, Sofa, Bedding, etc., and his wanting to have your company will bring him to destructive behavior. This is separation anxiety.
He becomes anxious with your coming and going, along with the attention he receives at each of these periods, which reinforces the fact that he is being left behind. He may begin running up and down the house, barking incessantly, or howling while you are gone. Then destructive behavior begins in the form of chewing personal belongings, woodwork, furniture, etc.
To help eliminate separation anxiety, you must utilize Crate Training. Begin by placing your dog in a crate for short periods while you are home. He may make a ruckus at being placed in the crate, but ignore him. Let him bark or howl, but do not talk to him until he settles down for at least 15 minutes. When he has quieted down and is calm for 15 - 20 minutes, allow him out of his crate. Wait approximately 2 - 4 hours and repeat the process. This method will have him become accustomed to being in the crate while you are home, and it will help him to accept the fact that he must be in the crate (his new den) while you are away.
When he has adjusted and accepted the crate as his den, place him in his crate for approximately 15 - 20 minutes, and then, without saying a word to him, go out of the house for about 10 minutes and come back inside. Wait about 5 minutes prior to talking to the dog. Repeat this daily and extend the time you are gone. This will help to calm him, giving him the positive reassurance that you are going to return. In time (up to 8 weeks in dogs with severe anxiety), the barking and howling while you are gone will end.
When you have to leave him alone for a longer period, place him in his crate 15 minutes prior to your leaving. Be calm with him, pet and talk to him at the time you place him in the crate, and then do whatever duties you must perform before leaving the house. When it is time for you to go, leave without saying a word to the dog. DO NOT TALK TO THE DOG! Just go about your business of leaving as if he were not there.
When you arrive home, IGNORE the dog. He has been waiting all day for you to come home, and, now that you are there, you should not make him the most important thing for your attention upon entering. Instead of visiting with him, go to the bathroom, take out the trash, or do something that will take about 15 - 20 minutes of your time. He knows you are there, he can smell you, but he has not been visited with, yet. After the elapsed time of 15 - 20 minutes, allow him out of the crate.
If he becomes out of control or overly excited, place him in a sit-stay and make him wait to be petted. He will begin to understand that the pack has things it must do before attention is given to him. You place a structure in the dog's life that he will understand, and his confidence will be restored. The pack is there, but it has other things it must do. The pack is not there just for his entertainment.
When crating, you should leave something that will keep him occupied. One way is to give him his favorite toy. A method I like to use is to place some creamy peanut butter or a treat inside a Kong toy. He will spend hours trying to get the peanut butter out, and he will not become anxious while the pack is gone.
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