How to stop seperation anxiety before it starts?

Ignoring is a good start and not saying anything before you leave might help too, i have not confirm this but it does not hurt your dog if you try it.

I'm all about pack leadership but some people here are uncomfortable with the term and they call themselves: benevolent leader, the one that control the resources, etc. etc. Dont worry, all of them are exactly the same as a pack leader at the end, aka the one that shows the puppy the house rules, what to chew and not to chew, not to jump on guests, etc.

I recommend this book:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Raise-Perfect-Dog-Puppyhood/dp/0307461297

I'm not a fan of Millan, and even if I were, that would not be the book I'd recommend.

For training - http://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Dog-Training/dp/0470241845/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260898058&sr=8-1

Pat's methods are much more in sync with the recommendations of the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior (read their position papers on the AVSAB web page).  The most important thing you can do for any puppy is to properly socialize it while it is still young!  (Age 8-16 weeks)

For prevention of separation anxiety - http://www.amazon.com/Home-Soon-Patricia-McConnell-Ph-D/dp/1891767054/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260898092&sr=1-1

Trisha's book will show you how to prevent separation anxiety using scientifically sound techniques.  She is a Ph.D. level behaviorist with many years of training and behavior modification experience.  Good luck, and feel free to PM if you want to know more about why I recommend these books.

It's quite normal for a puppy to whine a bit when alone.  Usually, it's best to just ignore it - only exception is if the pup is whining at a time when you absolutely know he has to urinate or defecate, as during the middle of the night, for example.  Then, you would take him out to potty, but place him back in the crate - no playing, no talking, etc. and go right back to bed;-)

No way would I recommend Cesar Millan. Yuck! No thanks.

IME, the best way to teach a dog to be comfortable alone is to make being alone enjoyable and stress-free, and to do it frequently but for small lengths of time.

First, make sure before, and immediately after you leave/arrive, you ignore the dog. Don't go "Oh my dear cutie puppy oh I love you so much I will miss you when I am gone!" and load him with treats and attention only to cut it off the second you leave. You want to make departures and entries low-key and well... boring! So, for about 5 minutes before you leave, and 5 minutes after you get home, completely ignore the dog! The only time this can be changed is for a puppy still getting potty trained, where you can immediately take the puppy outside when you get home (but still make it boring, don't pet, coo at, or play with him... just leash him up and walk outside).

Second, make being alone entertaining! Bring out the smelliest, most delicious, stuffed Kongs and other safe chew toys and ONLY give them to him when you leave. When I have pupies, I crate them up with a juicy Kong about 5 minutes before I leave, allow him to get invested, and then leave. By the time he's REALLY into the Kong, he's not going to notice that you aren't there.

Third, get him acclimated to you being gone by leaving frequently but for short periods of time. This can definitely help with crate training as well, which sounds like you are doing. Crate him up, give him a few treats or a Kong, then leave. Immediately come back! Then let him out, ignore him for a few minutes, and go about your day. Slowly lengthen the amount of time you leave the room/house. Do this as many times throughout the day as you can manage. Also, if you are crate training and don't want him to associate being crating with you leaving, you can rinse and repeat this exercise, but without actually leaving the room. That way, he won't think that every time he gets crated, you're going to be leaving.

Also, exercise him before you leave. A tired dog is a good dog, and a dog that has been thoroughy exercised before being left alone is more likely to sleep than he is to worry about where his owner is.

Make sure you do not reward any whining when he is left alone by returning to him, opening the crate door, etc. If you let him out or return to him when he starts whining, it will strengthen the behavior. Instead, wait until he's calm and quiet and doing what you want, and THEN return to him. If he is a puppy and you are worried about him needing to go potty, you can go in, leash him up, and take him outside, but remember to be boring! Do not talk to him, look at him, or otherwise interact with him.

tenna

First, make sure before, and immediately after you leave/arrive, you ignore the dog. Don't go "Oh my dear cutie puppy oh I love you so much I will miss you when I am gone!" and load him with treats and attention only to cut it off the second you leave. You want to make departures and entries low-key and well... boring!

tenna

Also, exercise him before you leave. A tired dog is a good dog, and a dog that has been thoroughy exercised before being left alone is more likely to sleep than he is to worry about where his owner is.

Funny, that's exactly what CM recommends but you dont agree. Just like me running on the treadmill to loose weight but not agreeing with the people that say that i should exercise to burn those extra pounds

 Thanks for the ideas guys! I'm learning when he really has to go and when he's just whining to get out. I ignore him if its the latter and he usually quiets down pretty quickly. Like just before I put him back in his crate and he cried for about 2 minutes before going quiet. He's learning quickly. :D

Funny that Cesar Millan also uses out-dated methods for training and "rehabilitating" dogs that prove to be inefficient, and has theories about "dominance" and "packs" that have been scientifically proven untrue. Funny that Cesar's methods with dogs are dangerous, can cause severe consequences, and are again, out-dated. FUNNY!

Not saying everything Cesar recommends is bad - obviously I like that he encourages exercise and promotes Pit Bulls positively. But the bad outweighs the good and he is not someone I would EVER recommend for a dog owner to listen to.

tenna

also uses out-dated methods for training and "rehabilitating" dogs that prove to be inefficient

Dont tell that to my dog because he will start wondering why then he behaves so well

You're new, Tenna.... you'll learn to ignore some subjects pretty quickly.

As to the OP - your pup will go through stages. Make the crate a happy place, food, toys, treats, etc. come from there. Comings/goings are low key. Don't be surprised if your pup goes through a horrible needy stage....it happens.

 Thanks Erica, yeah I try to keep it fun for him whenever he goes in there at night. I give him some stuff to teeth on and then a few soft things so he can cuddle with them. And of course some peanut butter in a kong. :P

espencer

tenna

also uses out-dated methods for training and "rehabilitating" dogs that prove to be inefficient

 

Dont tell that to my dog because he will start wondering why then he behaves so well

One dog.   I'd hate to tell you how many dogs I have had to help "rehabilitate" after their owners tried his crap, despite the disclaimer.

punkchica321

 Thanks Erica, yeah I try to keep it fun for him whenever he goes in there at night. I give him some stuff to teeth on and then a few soft things so he can cuddle with them. And of course some peanut butter in a kong. :P

That's great, and another thing you can do is feed him from puzzle toys (Buster Cube, etc.)   Some dogs enjoy the mental exercise, and it helps them not be quite so anxious in general if that need is met.

 I've never heard of a Buster Cube. I'll have to check that out. Thanks hun!

spiritdogs

One dog.

Yes, my dog is the only dog in this world that behaves because of them, any other dog in the whole planet

erica1989

You're new, Tenna.... you'll learn to ignore some subjects pretty quickly.

I am not "new" to dog forums. I know that Cesar Millan is a hot topic, and I will not "ignore" discussing Cesar Millan since I genuinely feel his methods are detrimental and dangerous. It doesn't matter if it's here or elsewhere.