1 year old female basset

Question
My name is Ana, and my boyfriend bought me a basset and i have owned her since she was 4 months old. Her name is Cookie and she has always been very affectionate.  But lately she hasn't been wanting to eat and does not let me leave the house.  She has become very attached and the only time she is not around people is between 8-PM.  She has her own area in our sun room outside and plenty of yard space during those hours.  And when we get home, she has freedom to be inside or outside the house as she pleases. But she doesn't stop barking and wanting attention.  She sleep with us in our room and will lounge around the house were ever i may be. And we regularly take her on walks to our local park.  But it has become a problem as now she doesn't even let us watch TV without barking.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Ana,

Most behaviors, good or bad, are due to human actions.  With your girl, it doesn't sound like you've taken on much of an 'in charge' type roll with her and you're seeing the effects.  In reality, what does she have to depend on you for other than food?  Anything?  She lets herself in and out for bathroom, lets herself in and out for activity...comes and goes in the home as she pleases.  

What you're seeing is the start of separation anxiety...if you change YOUR behaviors now, you'll be able to stop it before it gets out of hand.  But, big but, you need to be willing to change and treat her like a dog instead of a little child.  If you do this, you'll see her thrive.

First, lock the dog door.  You start to take responsibility for letting her in and out.  Do not let her have free run of the yard when you can't supervise her.  Eventually, I can tell you with certainty, she will dig her way out and you won't have a dog.  Some dogs can handle being loose in a yard on their own, some can't.  With the behaviors yours is beginning to display, she can't.  Lock it.

Second, begin using the NILF method of dog training:

http://www.dogo.org/Education/NILF.htm

Right now, your girl is the boss of the house.  You need to take back control.  When you do this, you will see her become less dependent on you which will help with the barking and attention seeking.

How you handle this behavior is also important.  When she starts, get up and walk away.  Don't yell at her (you're only barking back) and don't touch her.  Just go.  She'll soon realize that her negative behavior isn't getting her what she wants.  As it stands, even if you yell at her, you're giving her attention.

Give her some independence promoting toys.  Buster cubes, stuffed Kongs...things she has to use her mind to play with.

If you need more help, let me know.