[Minna]

Hi Karin and all,

my answer was based on dogs' behavioural studies and the recommendations I
gave really work. It is perfectly normal for a DOG not to be greeted
enthusiastically from the ALPHA of the pack. Submissive members of the wolf
pack greet the alpha - but the alpha does not greet them back the same way.
And again, it is normal for a DOG that you as "the alpha" can come and go as
you please. The submissive canine members of your pack don't need any
explanations or big emotions. The dog won't "think" that you don't like him
if you just ignore it these times. The dog will realize that you understand
its language and begins to respect you as a leader of its pack. And there
is even more into that: With separation anxiety many dogs' behavioural
consultants speculate that the dog that is showing s.a. symptoms do actually
act like the alpha. The dog tries to control your goings and comings and
doesn't feel comfortable when you are alone away. The dog is going crazy
just like a mother would if her small children were somewhere out alone
maybe lost. I have 3 dogs (2 CsWs and 1 CsW x Saarloos cross) and only my
male dog has had all extreme symptoms of separation anxiety (howling,
destroying everything, peeing and doing the big job too); he is also the
most dominant one of them. Karin asked if I have already solved this
problem. Yes I have, he stays generally in a kennel while alone - and no
damage has been done anymore. But he has also been alone (with my other
dogs) in hotelroom without destroying anything (god, I was afraid) for a
short time couple of times. I think that he is getting better and better but
I still can't totally trust him.

There is quite an easy way of finding out if your dog is having separation
anxiety or if it is just chewing things because it is bored. If the dog has
s.a, the dog begins to pee, defecate, howl, hyperventilate and/or destroy
things right after its owner has left the home and it normally doesn't eat
or drink. If the dog is just bored it begins to destroy thing later (and
should not have these other symptoms at all). And dogs that have separation
anxiety get extremely nervous when they notice that their owner is about to
leave them alone.

And Cindy, I believe that we should treat dogs like dogs and not like
children (because they don't undestand human behaviour that perfectly - they
will get confused). Dogs have learnd a lot of our language and behavior and
normally no big damage is done if we treat them like children - that shows
how flexible they really are; but it might be a good idea that we too would
make an effort and learn to understand their language and behaviour better
(there are so many good books and behavioural experts).

Minna