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Originally Posted by natalie05 Boss waits at the top/bottom of the stairs and if I'm gone too long he'll whine and bark. I don't know what to do. I can't carry him EVERYWHERE like to get a drink or something. I feel like I'm betraying him by leaving him alone... |
Well, if you
really want to help him with this, here are a few suggestions.
First, you need to realize that you are not betraying him by leaving him alone. You are
helping him. He needs to learn that he
CAN cope on his own without you. Rather than carrying him more, trainers would say: carry him
less!
Second, be sure that you do not inadvertently reinforce his clingy behavior. Do NOT go back to him when he is whining or barking. Only go to him when he is quiet. Reinforce quiet, confident behavior. Do not reinforce clinginess.
While it makes you feel special for him to cling to you, it can lead to major issues down the road.