I work with all types of behavioral issues with dogs but some of the most challenging calls I get are for separation anxiety. As with humans, when it comes to psychological conditions, there is no "one size fits all" approach so I must tailor my methods to each client's specific situation.
Separation anxiety can vary from mild cases, with some whining or barking to extreme situations in which dogs hurt themselves by trying to chew through crates or walls to get to their owners. In any case, it can be very taxing on both the dogs and their owners.
Dogs are very social, family oriented creatures. At its most basic level, it's not natural for them to be alone. This can cause serious issues when one of two things occur: a weak dog that is so dependent on the owner that he cannot be left alone or, more commonly, when a dog feels that they are "the leader of the pack" and when the family leaves the house they worry because they feel that their human pack members cannot survive without them.
Why does this happen with some dogs but not with all? Some dogs may have abandonment issues from when it was a puppy. A mother may have rejected them or they may have been taken away from the mom too early, which causes them to latch on to their owners. Others may not have experienced any separation from their owners initially, which makes it difficult later on in life. If your dog trails you around your home and cannot be without you, it's a telltale sign that they will not be peaceful when you leave them alone. Nobody gets a dog to have it live in a separate part of the house when everyone is home - but you must practice some healthy separation while you are home before you will ever be able to leave the house without your dog being anxious. This can be achieved with the help of a crate or containing the dog in a small, safe place to help "cut the cord".
If you want any advice on this subject don't hesitate to give me call on 203-313-7613. I am always happy to talk things through. Have a good summer and in this heat, keep your dogs cool.
Michael
Michael Konstantaras, Dog Behavioral Therapist and Trainer
2014 Golden Wolf Recipient
2014 Therapist/Trainer of The Year Finalist