how to make sure seperation anxiety doesn't start?

[imported_nea]

How should I do so Puppy doesn't get seperation anxiety? He ALWAYS wants to be with me, and if I'm at the computer he'll lie down here. If I move to the sofa, he'll move closer to there. In my bed he'll snuggle up as close as possible. (I'm going to have to brush his teeth reguarly, I think! :o ) When I go into the kitchen where he isn't allowed yet because his huge bag of puppy chow hasn't been moved yet, he stands at the door and whines. I wait until he quiets down before I go out again, and it has gotten better. Yesterday I went to the store, which maybe took 20 minutes. My mom said that he did calm down after a bit, but was "heartbroken". When I came back he was overjoyed. I love having him with me all the time, but he does NOT like being alone, and I NEED him to be able to be alone for a while. I'm worried he'll get seperation anxiety, and that would not be good. What should I do? Is there any reason to worry or is it just that he misses his momma and sister and needs to feel secure and loved right now?

[Aonir]

One cure.. get him a playmate ;)

[imported_Kat]

Its a big move for such a little boy, suddenly being confronted with strange people when he was used to having his siblings nearby and his Mum.

The best thing to do is just give him quiet time in a separate room for 10 mins or more a few times every day. He will thrive on this too and will learn that you will always come back to him.

Good luck :wink:

[imported_nea]

I'll start that tomorrow! :) Is it better to be where he can't hear me, or where he can hear me?

I WISH I could get him a playmate! :( Not another dog, yet, because having one puppy is quite a handful! :lol: But a little kitten that would be his friend... :lol: My aunts puppy Leah and the cat G.W. are the best of friends, and it is so cute! :D Anyway, having a both a dog AND a cat isn't that much more work than having just a dog, is it? :P Somehow I don't think my mom would agree... :roll: :lol:

[Doglistener]

Sorry if this is a bit long winded it is a article I wrote on Separation Anxiety last year

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is diagnosed in around 15% of behavioural cases. When left alone, most dogs find a familiar spot and go to sleep. However, a dog when suffering from separation anxiety will become extremely anxious. Not understanding where you or your family has gone or if you will ever return, the dog exhibits behaviour which may include chewing, barking, salivating, urinating, defecating, vomiting or escape behavior, such as chewing through walls, scratching through doors, breaking out of cages or trying to dig their way out. In some cases, the dog can become ill, stop eating, or suffer from depression

Possible Causes

Factors at the core of this problem include, genetics, early learning, lack of socialisation and owner behaviour. Your dog is a social, pack animal that relies on the others for individual protection by safety in numbers. Dogs that lack confidence, due to over bonding, under socialisation, lack of communication and training or no knowledge of what is expected of them, mistreatment in the past, long confinement or even dogs that have been abandoned are more likely to exhibit behaviours relating to separation anxiety.
Solution and Treatment

[imported_nea]

That was really helpful! Thanks! :) I'm going to try some of those things, like the tape. :)

[Guest Anonymous]

Just because she follows you everywhere..... I had a dog that was my CONSTANT shadow as a puppy/young dog. When I went to my friend's & took her she would stand at the door & whine if I left. Then she'd lay down by the door & wait for me. My friend could not distract her.

When she got older, she was fine with me leaving. I work full time so she was alone from 7:00-4:00 every day & she would be loose in the house & I guess she just slept. She never suffered from SA at all. She more or less grew out of it.....

deb c.