Is separation anxiety the problem?

Mon, 09/08/2008 - 14:04

Here's one theory on why our dogs sometimes go "out of bounds" with their behavior - they are reacting to the effects of separation anxiety.

Finding the right treatment depends on your dog's personality - whether submissive or aggressive.

David Dickey, owner of K-9 Kindergarten in Southern California, suggests the following approach:

If your dog is submissive, adopt a firm but friendly approach when training. A little discipline with these guys goes a long way since they really want to please you, and "a ‘NO’ can wreck their day."
On the other hand, if you're dealing with a dominant personality type, it's best to get some professional help, as some methods of discipline can bring out unwanted aggressiveness in dominant dogs. You never want to hit any dog, but especially watch for this in dominant dogs as they will be tempted to fight back.
In both cases, it's recommended that you ignore your dog when you first come home. Let them calm down first before you pet them - this method doesn't feed into their "big bang" of anticipation and excitement when you first walk in the door. Instead, it lets them know that attention and other good stuff come when they are calm.

Read full article: SheKnows