Puggle puppy severe separation anxiety

Question
Our 7 month old puggle has severe separation anxiety when we leave the apt even for just an hour.  We come home, she poops, chews all the blinds off, screens, barks while gone (per neighbors) and we don't know what else to do.  My husband is home with her 24/7 as he is on disability since we got her as a smaller puppy.  Perhaps this is the reason?  We could put her in a dog crate like when she was a puppy, but she poops and then lays in it.  And also barks the whole time.  We love her so much, but she always has to be touching us, close to us.  How do we break this behavior for good and get on the right track so we can enjoy life outdoors or go shopping or for a nice ride, and not worry about leaving her home and what kind of damage she will do.

Answer
Hi Melanie,

I'm glad to read that your puggle is only 7 months. At such a young age it will be relatively easy to help her. The big question is to whether I can help you to do it.

To be blunt, you're killing your dog with kindness. A 7 month old that shows such severe separation anxiety is suffering from stress bordering on neurosis. The reason your dog is stressed is because you and your husband "love her so much" that you mistakenly think that she benefits form being treated like your baby rather then your dog. In fact, the signals your puggle would get from your smothering affection would be that you are not leaders but more like her puppies. This is why she is so stressed when you leave. A leader can come and go as they please without problem. However, since you behave more like puppies then leaders, your dog is understandably stressed when such helpless appearing members of her pack leave her watchful eye and she can't take care of you and keep you away from danger.

Dogs need rules, exercise, food and affection, IN THAT ORDER.
From the symptoms your pug displays, I would guess that she is getting tons of affection and minimal if any rules.

If you truly love your dog (and I'm sure you do), let her be a dog. Give her some challenging obedience training and lots of excersise. Let her know that she can look to you for leadership rather then 24/7 hugs and kisses. Your dog will change if you change.

For further guidance on leadership go to www.perfectdogtraining.com and read my article called "Training Tips" and.....


Good Luck!
Sandy