Lab wiht attachtment issues

Question
Recently our two year old female lab has been having a lot of attachment issues. When we leave the house and go out on the boat, she sits inside and scratches at the wood floor until she has taken chunks of wood out of the floor. If she is outside and we go out on the water she whines, whimpers and howls until she jumps in the water and is swimming after the boat. This behavior has only recently started, last summer she did not demonstrate this behavior. I was wondering why you think this is happening or any advice/solutions you could offer.  

Answer
Hello Rebecca,

Your dog is officially exhibiting separation anxiety. It is a domination issue.

To better explain what's going on, let's look at the normal behavior of canines. A pack leader can come and go as they please without any fuss. This goes with leadership. However, a dog's puppies cannot leave their mother without causing great distress and anxious behavior. It would appear that your female lab views you as it's puppy rather then it's leader. The behavior has only recently started because your lab has now reached adulthood and is displaying normal maternal behavior toward it's puppy (you).

The cure is obviously to restore the proper relationship between you and your dog. I suggest you go to my site http://www.perfectdogtraining.com and read "Training Tips" to learn how to be a leader to your dog.

Short term solution would be to cage her, so that she does not destroy your property and also read the article found on my site in the articles section, entitled "Separation Anxiety" which will explain how to desensitize your dog to your leaving.

Good Luck!

Sandy
Perfect Manners Dog Training
http://perfectdogtraining.com