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| February 2009
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Dog Star Daily's Monthly Woof
"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
-- Unknown
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Lovesick: Preventing Separation Anxiety
 Happy Valentine's Day to you and your furry friend! This month we celebrate the human/canine bond, but it's also the right time to talk about how to prevent unhealthy attachment. Separation anxiety is a very serious problem, and severe cases can result in the total deterioration of a dog's mental - and sometimes physical - well being for dogs who love too much.
The good news is separation anxiety is both highly preventable and over-diagnosed. And while it's much too complicated to address all aspects of the issue here, we can provide some effective basic strategies to help you and your dog avoid succumbing to it:
1. Crate train your pup. That is, teach her that the crate is her safe, comfortable den and a wellspring of "hidden" treats, chewies, food puzzles, and toys. This is a place she should freely retreat to, even when you're at home. And when you're not at home or traveling, she knows she's got her own secure space with plenty of activities to keep her occupied. 2. Tire her out. If your dog gets enough mental and physical exercise, she'll look forward to the down time and enjoy the chance to nap and recharge. 3. As much as possible, spend quality time with your pup every day. She'll rest easier once she's assured there's special time with you most days. (For example: A daily long walk or training session.) 4. Keep hellos and goodbyes low key. Instead, when you leave the house, toss your pup a stuffed Kong or prized chew toy so that she associates your departure with the appearance of something fun and delicious.
If you think your dog may be currently suffering from separation anxiety, it's extremely important to seek help from a reputable trainer or dog behavior counselor as soon as possible. Here are some tips on how to tell whether it's real separation anxiety or something else.
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Latchkey Dog Or Content Canine?
 We'll be the first to tell you that taking care of a dog is a lifelong responsibility that requires both time and effort.
Have you ever wondered if you've got what it takes to go for it and get a dog? And just how much time does it require to care for a pooch? What constitutes a full life for a dog?
Just because owning a dog requires accountability doesn't mean daily duties have to be a chore. Even training can (and should!) be a mutually enjoyable endeavor if you go about it in a fun way and focus on the good things in life that happen every day.
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Not Necessarily Home Alone
 If you have to be away from home for long stretches during the day, consider these options:
1. Hire a dog-walker.
But first do your homework. There are spectacular dog walkers and there are lousy dog walkers, so interview several candidates. Check to see that they're bonded and insured and ask for references. This person will be responsible for the care and safety of your dog several hours a week, so do as much research as possible to make certain he's reliable, honest, and uses positive-reinforcement training methods.
2. Enroll your pup in doggie daycare.
Again, not all are created equal, so visit several. Make sure the facilities are safe and clean, the pups are playing appropriately (i.e., no bullying or ganging up), and there's a reasonable human-to-dog ratio.
Finally, read Dr. Patricia McConnell's booklet I'll Be Home Soon. It offers comprehensive strategies for avoiding owner-absent stress and will help you recognize the signs of separation anxiety should it start to develop in your dog.
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