Separation Anxiety: Encouraging Independence, Not Dependence
Most people think Separation Anxiety occurs when their dog becomes destructive when they leave the dog home alone. The reality is that Separation Anxiety begins long before that. Sometimes, it starts when a dog starts following an owner around the house, never letting the owner be out of sight. Other clues about the beginnings of separation anxiety can be a dog that constantly asks for petting or leans continually on the owner. The dog may even sleep on the owner’s feet or constantly “needs” to be in bed with their owner. Feeling like this is affection or “bonding”, many owners freely return the demand of affection, unknowingly engaging the dog in further “needy” behavior and DEPENDENCE upon the owner to soothe their discomfort.
