The clinging springer spaniel

Question
Hi Kristen,
I have a 1 1/2 year old female springer who is very sweet, inteligent and spoiled. I often take her in the car to run errands but each time I leave her in the car, it's a struggle. She barks frantically and makes every attempt to exit with me. She does the same thing when I leave the house without her but behaves very well as soon as I've departed. (I've secretly watched her in the car and the house and she settles down almost immediately.) Is there anything I can do to end this annoying behavior? By the way, she's totally housebroken, extremely friendly and not at all destructive. Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi Charlie. Thanks for asking!

If she weren't able to settle and destroyed things, I would say she has a bit of separation anxiety. However, you say she's fine in a minute or two, so I don't think it's separation anxiety per se; she just wants to go with you! Was she abandoned before you got her, or have you had her since 8 or 10 weeks of age? If she had ever been abandoned before, that could be a cause of her behavior. Or, it could simply be that she doesn't want you to go on an 'adventure' without her!

One thing you could try would be to take her outside (on leash of course) just before you're going to leave the house. Take her out with you, and as you exit, drop a treat on the floor behind you so she can get it when she goes back in. Let her go potty, play with her, or just walk her around a bit. Then take her back to the door, let her go back in the house, unhook her leash, and close the door and leave. When she goes back inside, she should discover the treat, which gives you time to get out before she notices. When you take her for a car ride with you, leash her and take her out of the car with you when you get out. Let her go potty and then put her back inside, again, with a treat on the seat.

If this doesn't work, then you'll just need to work more on making your departure less of a 'scene'. Simply pick up your keys, coat, briefcase, whatever, and leave. Don't bend down to tell her goodbye, or tell her to be a good girl, or even speak to her at all. Just leave. If you like, you can give her a treat before you walk out the door. In the car, do not allow her to ride in the front seat, or, if you do, get one of those seat belt restraints for dogs and use it. That may not be a good idea if she struggles to get out with you. My advice would be to get one of those dividers for your vehicle that will keep her in the back seat or in the very back of your SUV (you didn't mention what type of car you have) so that she cannot jump out when you open your door to get out. In my car (a Grand AM), I have one of those mesh dividers that works very well; but my dog doesn't try to get out with me every time I exit the car. She knows that she must stay in the back seat unless I command her to get out. This allows me to open the back door and get something out if I need to, without worrying about her jumping out of the car. She will not jump out before being instructed to. This is for her own safety, as well as being convenient for me if I need something that's in the back seat or floorboard and I have her with me. Before you get out, give her a treat; then simply leave. Again, don't make a big deal of your departure.


If my suggestions do not work, please let me know and we'll try something else!

Good luck

Kristen