I am not a professional dog trainer but I watch a lot of The Dog Whisperer and what he asserts is the need to be the pack Leader and be assertive with the dog so the dog doesn't have to take on the role of the dominant one in the relationship.
I think he would tell the one that is still with the dog when the other one leaves is not to show it any affection at all but rather to assert your dominance over the dog by putting it on a firm lead and placing yourself between the front door and the dog and saying Shhhhoosh and slowly backing the dog up and encouraging the dog not to bark.
When you coddle the dog and try to make it feel okay about the other person being gone, the dog cannot relax and become "calm submissive" and he remains anxious. The way to get calm sumission is by calm, assertive dominance. You have to be calm and relaxed when you practice this.
I would recommend watching the show if you don't already. It has helped me with training my dogs tremendously...it is all about dog psychology, not human psychology.
Good luck. |