My dog Bonnie is a Black Lab with about 10% Husky. She has come a long way since I first got her. I got her from a farm. I never saw the mother but she was a puppy. About 2 months old. She was jumping on the other puppy's head.

Once I got her home she would not sit quietly in your lap and allow to be petted. She would want to chew or lick your hand. She would always barge in front of my other older dog if there were treats or extra attention being given out. She would also eat the older dog's food and drink his water. Especially if he was already eating or drinking. The older dog would just walk away.

When she was younger she would also bark when left alone. A lot.

One time I was camping and I left her and the other dog while I was away fromn the site. The other campers complained that she barked non-stop the whole time.

After about 3 years most of this type of behavior went away with some training and as the dog matured. She still does do some of this type of behavior. Like rubbing her wet nose on your hand. She is fine when I go to work for the day or go out. She isn't over excited to see me when I get home (still excited though) she no longer needs to be by my side in the house.

But the big thing is when I go camping. I will go for a dirt bike ride for 2-3 hours. I will leave her in the care of fellow campers. She will still bark, howl, whine and cry for 1.5 -2 hours while I am gone. She has even chewed her leash off to come find me. It seems that once Bonnie is away from the house all bets are off and her puppy type behavior comes back.

If I leave her at my mom's new house for a few days she is OK. There is also another dog there. She did get into the garbage though. Something she will do at my house as well given the opportunity.

So that is the history there. My concern is when we are out at a new place and she is left alone she will escape to come find me or if she can't escape she cries loudly. Is this separation anxiety or is it more like she gives me permission to go to work but not to leave her at the campsite. Thank-you for any suggestions.

Clay.

Well, how about she worries about you? In case something happens to you and she's not there to protect you?
Like being your mom... Dogs come as close to human behaviour as it gets!
I wouldn't try to change it, I would conform. Take her with you! It might do you and her (and other people) a lot of good!!!

I think too, that when dogs are in the outdoors with their "pack," (like camping) they expect to go everywhere with their pack. This is a typical dog thing.

But it's also normal for dogs to try to escape to find their masters when left with a pet sitter too. True, not all dogs do, but it is fairly common.

And that thing about putting her wet nose in your hand? She's just showing affection. My dog will brush us with her mouth as she walks by, much the way our cat used to caress us with his tail when he was alive. And some dogs are just what they call "Velcro dogs." You're her pack leader. She feels a connection to you, and she feels secure when you're around. I've got a human family, but I'm our dog's favorite human. She wants to be with me more than anyone else. Why? Because I take her on her favorite activity-- our daily walk. If I were to go on a walk without her, she would be majorly disappointed and sad! And a couple of times I've let someone else walk her while I went to the restroom. All she wanted the whole time I was gone was to find me, even if that other person was a member of our "pack."

Well what a lovely dog.

I would think when you are aware camping well there is different smells outside, your energy changes too, as your more relaxed. I think she is being insecure doesnt know why you have left her in a strange smelling place. She is telling you to COME BACK, how dare you leave me on my own LOL.:mrgreen: I think if you take her camping you need to take her with you when you go off cycling too, she would love that, and be there as a protector too.

My Lucy well we took her on holiday for a few days in a caravan very recently. She is now nearly 7 months old. She very RARELY barks at home. Anyway the smell was different and she was different too, more nervous and even barked at odd noises. As soon as we came home she was fine.

I agree with others too the wet nose in hand is a lovely gesture she trusts you, and loves you, and is giving you affection. Maria

About the wet nose thing, well fair enough.

About the barking and crying when we are out and about, I still don't think it is appropriate. Even if I just drive down to the store and Bonnie rides along she will behave this way. I have never seen another dog behave like this. The other dogs at the camp ground don't lose it when their owner is out of site. My previous dog did not act this way.

Bringing her along is not always an option as sometimes I will be riding a motorbike.

By the way Bonnie has been on more hiking, biking and camping adventures than most dogs I know.

I was hoping to get some tips on how to get her to settle down when we are away from home and I am out of site.

Clay.

Clay, there is something that can be done to teach your dog not to bark and whine in your absence, but I honestly can't remember what it is. I know I saw Cesar Millan address this issue on his show, "The Dog Whisperer" once. Why don't you check out his website, and look at the "Ask Cesar" page to see if he has answered a fan question about it already. If not, I recommend you ask him-- if he can't help you, nobody can!

Separation anxiety is a simply a symptom of a bigger problem. Dogs exhibit this behavior because they have built up energy. It is important that you treat the root cause, which is a lack of exercise.

When dogs don't get proper exercise, they release their access energy by barking, getting into the garbage or acting aggressive toward other dogs. They need proper ways to release this pent up energy.

I would recommend you get your dog out on a brisk hour long walk in the morning and again in the evening. Add a dog back pack and fill it with water bottles. Labs and huskys have a natural need to migrate (walk) and to do a job. This is what the back pack will provide. It will also burn twice the amount of energy as a walk without the pack.

Make a committment to your dog and her well being. It will also improve your relationship with your dog as packs bond while on a walk. You can establish yourself as the pack leader by picking up the pace and always staying out in front. Never let your dogs lead the walk. You should always dictate the rules inside your house and out on a walk. Be firm but calm.

Chad Thompson
Professional Dog Trainer
www.virtualdogtrainer.com

According to the behavioral definition of separation anxiety, what you're describing isn't separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is a state of anxiety that occurs at the anticipation of being separated from the individual perceived to be a source of safety, comfort, or leadership.

Small children exhibit separation anxiety when they're dropped off at day care or the babysitter. They cry, fuss, cling to Mom, and in general make Mom feel guilty about leaving them. That's separation anxiety. Once Mom leaves, however, they settle down, usually within minutes. The baby sitter uses a calm voice, gentle touch, and mild distraction to instill a sense of safety and comfort. All is well.

A dog who cries, howls, fusses, digs or chews their leash is probably upset because they don't understand how they're expected to behave when you're gone. There are several ways you can help your dog know what she's supposed to do.

I agree that making sure she's had a good exercise period prior to leaving her when you're out camping is an excellent idea. But you also need to start conditioning her to be calm and relaxed during your absence. It will take time, and the aid of someone else who's willing to assume the role of leader while you're gone.

After you give her a good workout, take her to the area she's going to be staying in, hand her over to the caretaker, and walk away. Have the caretaker use a word like "settle" or "calm", in a quiet voice. Don't go far, just move away from her. If she remains calm, walk back and gently praise her. Keep your voice low and calm. A simple "good girl", pat on the head, and walk away again. Slowly increase the distance and amount of time you leave her. Always greet her calmly. No high pitched or loud praise. Calm, quiet voices to keep her reactions calm and relaxed.

The caretaker can also use mild distractions, a special toy or simple obedience commands; heel, sit, down, along with settle or calm, to give your dog a sense of security, and help her know what she's supposed to do.

This will help her understand what's expected of her when you leave. It will also establish a feeling of confidence and trust with her caretaker. Someone is in charge, I know what I'm supposed to do now. I can handle it.

I use the above techniques with boarding dogs who get wild in the kennel, and they do work. These dogs simply don't know what they're supposed to do, or how they're supposed to behave, when they're in a kennel and their owner isn't there to tell them what to do. So I teach them. I have the dog sit and stay when I take them out to put them in a run or yard. I have them heel from their kennel to the run. I tell them to settle when they're barking, along with a hand held out, palm forward. When they give me the slightest compliance I offer a pat or small treat. They begin to feel secure, knowing what's expected of them. And they calm down.

I have been trying some of those things but not quite putting it all together in a package like that. Thank-you very much for the suggestions.

I think the biggest challenge is that up until now I have only been camping a few times a year. As I go more and more hopefully Bonnie will adapt with a good routine.

Clay.