In the book, "The Dog Listener" Jan Fennell addresses this issue. She explains it as the dog feels like it's alpha, making it responsible for the pack. The dog is usually made to feel it's alpha by our actions toward, by all the love and attention we give it, catering to it's every whim. Feeding, playing, loving on demand. When you leave with out the dog, it can't see you and know you're ok, so it's stressed. Kinda like your child walking out of the house, and you not knowing what's on the other side of the door, you'd worry, too! If you were in the alpha position, the dog would accept that you come and go as you want, the alpha does what it wants, the other pack members accept it as normal and not to be questioned.
When I leave in the morning, I pick up my purse and walk out the door. I don't hug Pip one last time, I don't tell her good bye, I don't give her all kinds of treats and toys. She already has toys to occupy her. I don't make a production out of it. She doesn't bark and carry on, I know because I've stood outside the door for at least 15 minutes listening on several occasions. When I come home, I walk in, and she's dancing all around my feet begging for me to notice her. I put my stuff down, kick off my shoes, greet my husband, take care of what ever business I need to do, and I don't make eye contact with Pip at all. After about one minute, she calms down, and sits quietly. When she does, I look down and notice her, and reach down and pick her up and give her hugs and kisses. She accepts her place in the pack and it happy with it, and she's a much nicer baby to be around.
To some, my actions would seem mean but I don't really think dogs think in terms like that. In their own packs, there's no feelings such as mean, nice, being polite, etc. There's your's, mine, alpha, and then all the other members of the pack. To regain control and to put yourself back in the alpha position will only be 'mean' to you, but the dog will adjust and accept. That's what they do, tho their personality's might dictate how quickly they learn their new status.
I could go on and on about these methods, Pip is the second dog I've trained using them, and believe me, they work! I'm by no means an expert on the subject but the book will help you understand a lot of why the dog acts the way it does. Sorry to ramble on so much..... |