Separation Anxiety Case Study 

Separation anxiety is a common problem in dogs. It can occur for several reasons and can create several problems, not the least of which is aggression. Separation anxiety can spark aggression in a dog simply because they become overprotective of their owner. They don’t want to share their owner, they don’t want to let them out of their sight, and while this may seem sweet, in a way, it puts unnecessary stress on both the dog and the owner.

I recently met two English Toy Spaniels named Bentley and Percy, both of whom suffer from separation anxiety. When I arrived for the in-home consultation, they met me at the door, and while their owner filled me in on the problem in the living room, they sat next to him, guarding him and growling if I moved toward him. The dogs were constantly on their owner’s heels if he got up for any reason, crowding him and barking at the window when he went outside without them.

It may be hard to imagine having a dog that is too attached to you as a bad thing, but the way Bentley and Percy behave with their owner prevents him from enjoying guests, including his own children and grandchildren. They don’t want to share him with anyone.

That’s why their owner gave me a call—he wants a calmer, more enjoyable relationship with his pets, and one that leaves room in his life for all of his loved ones.

Training two dogs at one time may seem like a challenge, but I’m used to training in a multi-dog household. I know just how to get the desired results from both dogs without allowing one dog’s training to interfere with the other.

To ease Bentley and Percy’s separation anxiety, their owner and I will teach them basic obedience to establish the owner’s leadership role. We’ll also set up a consistent day-to-day schedule/structure, so the dogs can begin to feel confident in their role and always know what to expect. I’ll put my training methods to work in a way that is suited to the dogs’ individual needs and their owner’s schedule, and in no time, just as I’ve proven time and again, the owner will begin to see improvement in his dogs’ stress level and subsequent behavior.

If you’re noticing symptoms of separation anxiety in your dog, or if you have any other behavior concerns, contact me at B-More Dog Training today. The phone number is 410.844.6611, or I can be reached by e-mail through the contact form.