Top Ten Tools to Help Deal with Separation Anxiety

Question:

I adopted a 1-1/2 year-old small female pit bull mix from a couple who were neglecting her. She is very sweet but has a habit of whining whenever I leave her sight. I thought it might get better after I’d had her for a while but it’s been weeks now and no change. I take her with me as many places as I can (even to work) to give her a sense of security but her behavior stays the same. Is there anything I can do?

Answer:

Although your best course of action is to find a professional trainer to visit your home and evaluate the situation, it does sound a lot like separation anxiety.  There is a step-by-step protocol for separation anxiety. It entails getting your dog used to your departures and returns.  A professional trainer can show you how this is done.

Normally it takes a dog thirty or so days to acclimate to a new environment. Since dogs thrive on routines with positive outcomes and their being able to predict daily occurrences, yo