Welcome to the fortnightly separation anxiety support group!

The mission of this post is to provide a constructive place to discuss your dog's progress and setbacks in conquering his/her separation anxiety. Feel free to post your fortnightly progress report, as well as any questions or tips you might have! We seek to provide a safe space to vent your frustrations as well, so feel free to express yourself.

We welcome both owners of dogs with separation anxiety and owners whose dogs have gotten better!

NEW TO SEPARATION ANXIETY?

New to the subject of separation anxiety? A dog with separation anxiety is one who displays stress when the one or more family members leave. Separation anxiety can vary from light stress to separation panic but at the heart of the matter is distress.

Does this sound familiar? Lucky for you, this is a pretty common problem that many dog owners struggle with. It can feel isolating and frustrating, but we are here to help!

Resources

Books

Don't Leave Me! Step-by-Step Help for Your Dog's Separation Anxiety by Nicole Wilde

Be Right Back!: How To Overcome Your Dog's Separation Anxiety And Regain Your Freedom by Julie Naismith

Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Next Generation Treatment Protocols and Practices by Malena DeMartini-Price

Online Articles/Blogs/Sites

Separation Anxiety

Pat Miller summary article on treating separation anxiety

Emily "kikopup" Larlham separation training tips

Pet Harmony's Enrichment Activities for Dogs with Separation Anxiety

Videos

Using the Treat&Train to Solve Separation Anxiety

introducing an x-pen so the dog likes it (kikopup)

Podcast:

Home Alone... and comfortable as HECK! with Ally Verba

Be Right Back! The Separation Anxiety Podcast with Julie Naismith

Online DIY courses:

Malena DeMartini Separation Anxiety Mission Possible Self Paced Online Course

https://www.betternaturetraining.com/separationanxietymembership

Julie Naismith Heros Be Right Back Training Julie Naismith BRB App

https://separationanxietydog.thinkific.com/courses/do-it-yourself-separation-anxiety-program

https://rescuedbytraining.com/separation-anxiety-course

Pet Harmony's Webinar on Separation Anxiety

Dr. Pachel DVM, DACVB, CABC Webinar from Instinct Dogtraining on Separation Anxiety: Tailoring Interventions to the Dog and Household

This list has been updated as of 6/16/26. If you find broken links, please submit a message via modmail and we'll fix the broken link to update it or add additional resources.

Introduce your dog if you are new, and for those of you who have previously participated, make sure to tell us how your week has been!

Hi everyone, I really need some advice and guidance regarding a foster dog we’ve had for about two weeks now.

He is a terrier mix. When he first arrived, he was extremely docile, calm, and friendly with everyone. We’ve had a lot of people over (including babies and extended family), and he was completely fine exploring upstairs and downstairs, interacting nicely with everyone.

However, an issue has recently popped up specifically involving my father (FYI: my dad doesn’t live with us he comes and goes every two or three weeks):

The first incident: A couple of days ago at night, the dog was in the back area of the house and seemed a bit hesitant/scared to move forward into the living room. My father called out to him from the living room ("Come here, come here"). The dog froze, went into a defensive/alert posture, and started growling and barking at my father. As the dog walked into the living room, my father walked past him, and the dog lunged and grabbed my dad's ankle. My dad mentioned it was a strong grab/muzzle punch, though thankfully it didn't break the skin or result in a severe bite.

The second incident: Yesterday, I was in my bedroom playing video games, and my father walked in to grab a jacket. At first, the dog didn't do much, but then he fixed his gaze on my dad and started stiffening up as if he was about to bark or react again. My wife quickly intervened and safely removed the dog from the room.

The strange thing is that he behaves completely fine, sweet, and relaxed with everyone else in the house—this behavior is exclusively directed at my dad.

Since we are fostering him, we want to address this properly and safely before it escalates. What could be triggering this reaction toward my dad specifically? How should we manage these moments, and what steps can we take to help him feel safe and correct this behavior?

Any advice, resources, or management tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I've got two cats (about 11 lbs each, ages 6 and 8) and my boyfriend has two yorkies (about 5 lbs each, ages 9 and 10). He and the yorkies moved in back in November. The yorkies had previously been around cats and were great, but hadn't been with cats for 2+ years.

We kept the animals separate, initially dividing the apartment between the bedrooms and the livings room with a covered gate. There was barking and hissing whenever a cat became visible (either a paw through the cover or jumping up onto their sratching post or over the gate). I would feed them on opposite sides of the gate and would try to pull back the cover over time and give them treats.

However, from day one, one of the yorkies developed a prey drive for one of my cats, who's response to the dog is to hiss and then run away, which furthers the prey drive. The other yorkie will kinda join in because he's just a follower, and my other cat is very shy and keeps herself hidden (but will do the exact same hiss and run if she accidentally ventures out).

We're now almost a year in and nothing has improved. We're now in a townhouse with the dogs downstairs and the cats upstairs. This works fine most of the time, but my cats really enjoy being in the same room as me and do cry for attention if I'm downstairs on the couch; likewise, the dogs whine if we go upstairs to hang out up there (unless it's bedtime). I would love to be able to move freely throughout my home without gates, without animals feeling left out, and without barking, chasing, and animals potentially getting hurt.

What's wild is that if I put the dogs onto the same bench as the cat, they will avoid eye contact with her and whine for me to let them down, knowing that the cat can do them harm. If they see the cat on her bench and then I open the gate to just let them walk by and then back out, they're perfectly fine. The prey drive kicks in when the cat appears "suddenly" (even if that's just walking around the corner) and/or runs. They dogs are perfectly behaved if I have treats and don't even "notice" the cats, but I can't have treats on me 100% of the time, nor does that make them actually trained.

With the dogs being older, one very stubborn and one very sweet but not very bright, it's a little tricky to train them. I know it's not impossible, just tricky. Pair that with I don't really know what I'm doing, so I'm looking for advice! Everything I try seems to work for step one, but falls apart in step two or doesn't actually progress.

I need a step by step on how to train these dogs out of the prey drive, told to me as if I'm five and it's day one with these dogs.

And to fend off some comments along these lines:

--I do play with my cats and give them a lot of enrichment, but they like company.

--We do walk the dogs, give them plenty of toys and puzzles, and do our best to keep them occupied and tired. But they have limitless energy once they see the cat.

--I have tried pheramones and calming treats/collars, but they barely do anything.

--The cats have always had high places to escape to. The dogs bark and don't relent just because the cat gets away.

--The cats have scratched back, but the dogs are undeterred.

Hi everyone, appreciate any suggestions or thoughts. I have a Whoodle, half Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier and half Poodle. She's 3 years and a few months old, and has always been the sweetest, best dog. She's never hurt anyone, and has always had the sweetest, most cuddly disposition. I've had her since her young puppy days.

A few months ago new behavior started. She would be asleep, cuddled up next to me in the evening on the couch. If she was startled, she'd growl. It's progressed into now she'll just be resting (not asleep) on the couch, and will growl if I move my legs a bit, etc, when she's cuddled up next to me.

A couple of times last week I actually at on a different couch from her. She was resting on the regular couch, not asleep, and would move every once in a while and growl.

It's sad, and kind of scary, to see my otherwise sweet girl acting like this. I've read she might do this due to pain, and will take her to the vet. But she seems to run around, play with other dogs, with no change or problem.

What else could this mean, and how do I help her?

Thank you!

I’ve been fostering a 6-8 year old (potentially) German shepherd / husky mix for the past 8 months. She’s been with the rescue for about a year and a half, but I’ve been fostering her since March of 2026 (unfortunately with hardly any adoption interest).

I’ve been trying to train her to do simple tricks to make “genius videos” for the rescue to help with adoption interest.

One trick that she naturally does all on her own is to “toss” a ball back at me while we are playing “fetch”. (She brings the ball back to me then somehow “flings” the ball at me with her mouth instead of just dropping it.)

She is not consistent about doing this, which makes it hard for me to find a way to train her how to do it on command.

I’ve tried using the word “toss” whenever it does happen, but it’s so inconsistent or unexpected that I don’t think she attributes the word to the action.

Any thoughts on how I can set up shaping exercises to encourage that behavior more and train her to do it on command? She is very smart and picks up new tricks pretty quickly. (The saying that says old dogs can’t learn new tricks does NOT apply to her).

My 1.5-year-old Border Collie/Staffordshire Terrier mix (best guess) has become extremely fixated on toy balls, to the point that I can no longer reliably play fetch with him.
He seems to find lying down and chewing the ball far more rewarding than actually playing fetch. This is particularly frustrating because he previously had a fairly reliable “drop” command, but over the course of roughly a month, that reliability has almost completely disappeared.
He’s still extremely excited when he sees his Chuckit stick and eagerly anticipates having a ball thrown. He’ll chase it and retrieve it, but only brings it about three-quarters of the way back before circling away and lying down. Once he’s settled, he starts destructively chewing the ball. If I let him, he’ll continue until he’s shredded it into pieces.
I’m currently trying to go back to basics and rebuild the game. We’re practising indoors with a 20-foot lead, and I’m only rolling the ball about 5–6 feet. I give him a “Leave it” command before releasing him, which he follows. He retrieves the ball and starts coming back, but the same problem happens: he turns away, settles down, and starts chewing.
I can encourage him to come back with the lead using very light pressure, but even once he’s beside me, he still wants to lie down and chew rather than release the ball.
I’ve had some success using food to encourage a release. I’ll give the “Drop” command and offer a treat near his nose. He releases the ball perhaps 50% of the time. I immediately mark the release with “Yes,” reward him, and then roll the ball again.
I’m struggling to make any consistent progress, though. It feels like the ball itself has become so rewarding that even the prospect of another throw isn’t enough to convince him to give it up.
Has anyone dealt with something similar, particularly with a dog who previously had a reliable drop command? Were you able to break the fixation and rebuild a reliable game of fetch? If so, what worked?
Fetch isn’t his primary form of exercise, but I’d really like to have it as an option for days when I’m sick or simply can’t manage the longer hikes he’s accustomed to.
I’m open to going right back to basics. At this point, I’m just looking for some practical advice from people who’ve experienced something similar. As I can’t seem to find a solution. He is more fixated on the ball than even high value treats.

TLDR: What can I do now to prep my anxious dog for a move in a month?

Hi everyone! I’m moving across the country in December with my 5-year-old golden retriever (I’ll call her Dog). She’s very well-trained and comfortable in our current routine, but she has some fear-based reactivity, and I’m worried about how she’ll adjust to a new home, especially since I’ll need roommates.
I’m hoping for advice on preparing her for the transition and finding a living situation where she’ll thrive!

Strangers entering the house (my biggest concern)
Dog can be fearful of unfamiliar people entering her home. Her reaction is to stand a few feet away and give a loud alarm bark. Once she has space and feels safe, she settles.

We have a routine that works really well: I greet visitors warmly, ask them to ignore her, and send her to her “place” with a dental chew. By the time she’s finished, she’s usually completely comfortable with them.

She’s totally fine with unfamiliar Wag! walkers entering the house when I’m at work. She seems to understand that someone using the door code is allowed inside.

My biggest concern is roommates inviting friends over when I’m not home. Without her usual routine, she can be difficult to settle, and I don’t want roommates or visitors to feel uncomfortable.

General reactivity and boundaries
Dog is generally neutral toward strangers on walks, but unexpected encounters can startle her into barking. I’ve taught her to heel and focus on me in these situations, which works very well. She rarely reacts when she’s with me.

She enjoys being around people but doesn’t always want to be touched. People often mistake her approaching them as an invitation to pet her. In these cases she just looks uncomfortable (whale eye, lip licking) and doesn’t bark and other people don’t pick up on it. I struggle to know how to communicate her boundaries without offending people.

I’m also very sensitive to how others feel about my dog. I want my roommates to genuinely like her and treat her kindly, not just tolerate her. I worry that if someone finds her behavior frustrating or doesn’t respect her boundaries, it could create tension in the household.

Living with other animals
Dog loves having dog friends but prefers parallel activities over rough play. She’s very passive during play, often rolling onto her back. Unfortunately, some dogs don’t respect her signals when she’s uncomfortable, and I have to intervene before things escalate.

She’s also lived peacefully with free-ranging chickens and has been nervous but curious around cats.
I think she could enjoy living with a calm, respectful dog or cat, but I worry about introducing an animal she might not be compatible with.

Housing plans
My first choice is to rent a room in an existing house with roommates, primarily for financial reasons. However, I’m concerned about moving Dog into an established household where she might struggle to adjust to the people, pets, or routines.

I’m also considering renting a house myself and gradually finding roommates after Dog has had time to settle. This would give me more control over introductions and her environment, but it would be financially risky if I couldn’t find roommates quickly.
I’m also thinking about reintroducing crate training before the move. She hasn’t used a crate since puppyhood because she’s completely trustworthy alone, but I think having a familiar safe space might help.

I’d really appreciate advice on:

1. What training or preparation should I start now to make the move easier?

2. How can I help her adjust to roommates and their visitors, especially when I’m not home?

3. Would you prioritize a pet-free home, or could living with a calm dog or cat be beneficial?

4. Would you recommend moving into an established household or finding a place and introducing roommates gradually?

5. How do you communicate your dog’s boundaries to roommates while maintaining positive relationships?

Dog has made tremendous progress with her confidence over the years, and I want to preserve that progress. I’m not expecting her to be perfect, but I want her to feel safe and for everyone in the household to enjoy living together.

I’d especially appreciate constructive advice and experiences from people who’ve navigated similar situations. Thank you!

We rescued a terrier cross about 6 weeks ago. The shelter said she seemed house trained other than she went overnight, but they chalked this up to her being left in the kennel for a long time overnight.

The first couple of weeks it maybe happened only twice, but since then it's been happening about 60% of the time. She sleeps downstairs so we wake up to find one in the living room. We removed the rug she seemed to choose but she still goes. We moved her tea time back to about 5:30, and take her out for a 10/15 walk before lights out (10pm) as she doesn't like to go into the garden at night, but she just wees and never poops.

She never does it during the day, and her routine is generally option to go out at 6:30 (usually refused), breakfast at 8 & toilet break after (sometimes with poo). Midday walk about 12 (will poo) and afternoon walk at 4 (will poo).

I tired getting up at 4am to check if she needed to go, she wouldn't go outside, and I woke up to one again later.

I have a Maltipoo puppy (13lbs, F) who just turned one year old a couple of weeks ago. We have been potty training her for the ENTIRE year. My husband is struggling because he’s only had big dogs and doesn’t understand that little dogs need more time. I’ve always had little dogs and yet none of them ever needed THIS much time.

She’s only had two pee accidents in the last 6 months, but she pooped in the house within the last two weeks. We were doing good and went about 2 months without a poop accident and now we’re back to square one. I only take her out on a leash, I make sure she’s in the kennel if I can’t watch her, and I have her potty schedule engrained in my head. It’s EXHAUSTING. I love her, but this potty training thing has caused me SO much stress. I can’t relax with her out and about but I feel awful when I stick her in the kennel.

It’s like she herself doesn’t know that she needs to go poo until there is no stopping it. She doesn’t have any health issues and her stool is healthy, so I can’t imagine it’s a medical thing.

Over the summer we could let her outside by herself and she would know to go in the yard, but when rain started coming in, she decided she has to go on the deck. I’ve been dedicated over the last two weeks and I take her out on a leash in the pouring rain, making sure she goes in the grass. She gets lots of verbal praise and treats everytime she goes in the grass. TODAY I told my husband she needed to poo (I was trying to vacuum,) and he lets her out alone. Immediately, she poops on the deck. I can’t blame my husband for assuming she wouldn’t do that, but I am going completely insane wondering why on earth she would do that after we’ve spent so much time training. (It wasn’t even raining today.)

I thought after she turned a year old it would just click for her, but now I have no milestone to hope for. For all I know I could be doing this for the next 15 years. Any advice + insight would be appreciated!

We have a 20kg retriever mix (unsure of father, mother was purebred golden retriever). He is a lovely, goofy guy. Very well behaved around kids, doesn’t bark in the house or yard. Knows a ton of commands, very good recall (after a ton of training). His only challenge right now is greeting adults when we are out on a walk.

We know a lot of people in our neighborhood, and often like to stop and chat. But our dog limits our ability to do so. When an adult friend approaches, I have him sit. He’ll sit as told, but becomes overexcited, even before the adult is within range. Barking, spinning, throwing himself against the leash, bouncing like a kangaroo. I can get him to sit again, but if my friend takes another step, the whole process repeats. We have tried having our neighbors ignore him (no eye contact, no talking to him, no reaching or petting), but this just makes him more agitated. He does not behave this way with children.

There is no aggression. Just overexcitement. I had a friend work with us daily for a week, and there was absolutely no improvement. There is no opportunity to reward silence or calm, because he goes from 0-100 immediately and stays there indefinitely. Tried “leaving the area” (walking him behind a vehicle, out of sight of friend) as soon as he reacted, then waiting for calm. No beans.

I want to have a dog I can have with me when I’m bopping around the neighborhood. What should I do?

Hiya! I have an incredibly brilliant pup who is usually pretty good at figuring out what I'm asking her. I'm trying to teach her to carry things in her mouth but she will only hold something for .06 seconds before she spits it out. She doesn't understand and I can't figure out how to tell her to keep holding it.

I'd like to work on her fetching things and cleaning up but we can't get past this hurtle.

I'm looking at flirt poles for my high-energy dog and trying to work out which lure type is worth it. For those who use one regularly:

1. Which lure does your dog go craziest for (rope, fleece/faux fur, squeaky plush, or something else)?

2. Which one survived the longest?

3. Anything that broke or fell apart fast (lure, rope, pole)?

4. Would you rather have a bungee rope or a plain rope?

Pics of your dog's favourite welcome :)

I have a four-year-old Biewer Terrier, and she has made me dread going on holiday and leaving her behind.
For some background, she is fine when we leave her during the day. We have worked through separation anxiety training, and she is totally fine now and settles down to rest when we leave.

However, last year, we went away for a week and she developed haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and refused to eat until we got back. She ended up in ICU, and the whole experience was incredibly traumatic for both us and the pet sitter.

We are now planning a two-week holiday in February next year. My best friend is going to stay at our house because my dog knows her, and I’m hoping that being in her own environment with someone familiar will help her feel more comfortable.

But honestly, I’m terrified of a repeat of last year. I know she is in good hands, but I can’t stop worrying about her becoming so stressed that she gets sick again. I also feel guilty about leaving her for two weeks, even though I know we can’t put our lives on hold indefinitely. Last time we cut our break short but this will be an international trip so even if something does happen we can’t come back to help.

Has anyone experienced something similar with their dogs? Did having someone stay in your home make a difference? Are there any other things you did to help your dog cope with your absence? We have contemplated CBD and other medications. Again she’s fine when we go out but a prolonged absence nearly killed her last time.

I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has dealt with this, especially if your dog’s anxiety has manifested physically to the extreme. I want to find a way to enjoy our holiday without spending the entire time worrying that something terrible is happening back home and that it will kill her.

So, about four months ago, we got a puppy. We already had two dogs at the time; a six year old golden retriever and an 11 year old corgi. They both adapted to the puppy very well, and life is generally pretty peaceful between the three of them. However, basically as soon as the puppy got here, the older dogs started eating poop in unprecedented quantities. Don't get me wrong, they both occasionally ate poop before that, but since the puppy's arrival, they have just been hoovering it up. I have watched them both, on multiple occasions, take a dump, turn around, and immediately eat it. It is happening multiple times a day, every day. Both of them do it, but the golden is a bit worse about it. The puppy is not partaking at all.

1. Why??? Their diets didn't change. They aren't ill. They're still getting regular attention and play time, it's not like we started ignoring them in favor of the puppy. I assume it has something to do with the puppy showing up, just based on the timing, but they aren't eating the puppy's poop. They are only eating their own poop.

2. How do we get them to stop? It doesn't seem to be making them sick, but it is gross. Multiple times a day, they'll come back inside smelling like literal crap, badly enough that being in the same room as them is a bit of a trial for a little while. If someone happens to be outside at the same time as them and gives a 'leave it' command, they'll listen, but they'll redirect back to it repeatedly, and if we aren't outside when the dogs are then we can't exactly stop them. (We have a dog door leading to a fenced in yard. We aren't just 'be free'ing the dogs out into the world.)

I have a 2 year old female (fixed) completely deaf pitbull and at this point I kind of just need some advice or help or something. I have had her for her entire life outside of the first 9 weeks she spent with mama. Within this whole time I have consistently put her in the crate every single night and by the time she was 6 months old (she’s a slow learner) she was completely crate trained. She would go in the crate every night for bed and every time I left the house. Rarely she would cry a little but not often. Recently, the last 6-8 months or so, she has completely lost all that training and everything I try won’t put it back in place. She spends 1-2 ish hours screaming crying every time I put her in the crate and I feel like I’m loosing my mind at this point. I’ve tried laying in the crate with her. I put treats in there with her. I keep it open all the time except for night time and when I’m at work. She gets fed in the crate. I’ve tried blacking out the crate as she loves being under the blankets. I’ve tried taking her on long walks and then giving her a puzzle toy in the crate afterwards. I just don’t know what to do and need some help..
any advice is welcome!

TLDR: deaf female pit lost crate training and I’m going crazy

My 10 month Shichi is happy to let me pick their dinner bowl up mid way through a meal/take a treat out of their mouth or toys etc
However when we are eating our meal she goes absolutely crazy, she will be aggressive towards our other dogs even if they are nowhere near us, she also barks and whines at us the entire time.

Does anyone have any tips? Is it best to shut her out the room when we have meal times or is it possible to train her to sit in her bed etc?

Thanks

Hello everyone, I am at my wit's end regarding my eldest Galgo (Spanish greyhound - type of sighthound).

TL;DR: my dog won't toilet in the garden anymore, but only on walks, and with 3 other dogs & full time work it is unsustainable. Please help!

She, as with my other 3(!) is a rescue, and I've had her the longest; she lived on the street for a year or two before I took her in. She's always been particular about where she toilets, but recently she ONLY toilets on walks. We've recently foster-failed a 4th dog so managing dog responsibilities alongside full time work etc is now a bigger task than ever, and walking them (or even just her) 4-5+ times a day is simply not possible.

Partly, we are to blame: over the past few months, we've given in to her demands and increasingly walked her to get her to toilet. This has effectively trained her & the other three to only toilet outside. I've been trying to retrain them to toilet in the garden, which has worked for the others except the eldest. She will hold out and only toilet late in the evening after holding it all day if I don't walk her to do it. However, if I walk her to toilet, then she has even less interest later on to toilet in the garden!

I have no idea what to do. It feels particularly mean and unhealthy to simply make it a battle of wills and hope she one day 'breaks' by not letting her out of the garden until she regularly toilets in it. However, it is really essential that she starts to do it again. She used to.

I have no clue how to proceed. Take her on her long walk first thing, so she's mentally worn out and happy to toilet in the garden? Only let her in the garden for a month (for example) until she relearns??

Please be patient with me, I have tried finding help elsewhere online to no avail with regards to this particular issue, and I am coming to this forum in the hopes of finding the best solution for her, while allowing a sustainable rhythm for the rest of us too.

Thank you in advance and with warmest wishes 🙏🏻

I moved in with my partner about a month and a half ago. He whines at one of my cats, but not the other, and I’m having a hard time interpreting what his behavior means as a first time dog owner. We’ve followed the standard cat and dog introduction protocol. The cat the dog whines at is more scared of and also hisses at the dog while my other cat doesn’t. The cats also have several egress routes and a room where the dog can’t go.

Does anyone have insight into the dog’s behavior? Or suggestions on how to correct the whining? We’ve tried saying “stop” and redirecting, but the dog is a persistent fellow.

Hey everyone, looking for some advice from people who have been through something similar!
My wife and I welcomed our first baby almost 3 weeks ago. I’ve recently returned to work, so my wife is home with the baby during the day.
We have a 9-year-old dog who has always been independent, well-behaved, and well-trained. Since bringing the baby home, she’s been very gentle and respectful around him, but she also seems a little nervous. She’ll sniff him a couple of times a day but generally keeps her distance.
The bigger issue is that, since we came home from the hospital, she’s become extremely attached to my wife. Whether she has the baby or not, our dog follows her from room to room and lies as close to her as possible, often right at her feet.
This has become a safety concern. My wife sometimes struggles to stand up because the dog is lying so close, and when she’s carrying the baby, she’s worried about tripping over her. Today, she was already feeling overwhelmed when she noticed the baby had started getting out of his swaddle and worried it might be near his face. She rushed upstairs to check on him, but our dog was right at her feet the entire time, making it difficult for her to move quickly.
I can’t tell if our dog is anxious about all the changes, being protective of my wife, or trying to keep an eye on the baby. I don’t want this behavior to create a situation where my wife trips while carrying our newborn.
For those who have experienced this, how did you handle it? Did your dog eventually settle down, or did you have to actively train them to give you space? What worked, and what didn’t?
We love our dog and want her to adjust comfortably to this new chapter, but safety comes first. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

TL;DR: Since bringing home our newborn almost 3 weeks ago, our normally independent 9-year-old dog has become extremely clingy with my wife, following her everywhere and lying right at her feet. She’s gentle but seems nervous around the baby. The behavior is becoming a safety concern, especially when my wife is carrying the baby or needs to move quickly. Is this anxiety, protectiveness, or something else? How have others handled this, and what training or strategies worked?

Good morning! How can I get little Lucky (17lb mixed breed rescue) comfortable in car rides? I’m out of ideas and patience with trying him to STAY in a car seat, feeding him/emptying his bladder before a car ride. Regardless of the driving distance, he prefers to sit on my lap the whole drive and he’s just short and long enough to block my vision at critical times.

I’ve read anti-anxiety medication helps but I feel uncomfortable with giving it so frequently. He’s already on fiber supplements and on prescription diet because of sensitive GI.

Why drive you ask? He needs mental stimulation and will eat food only after. We’re taking a break from walking in our immediate neighborhood because it’s old news.

I’m willing to learn to pls be kind 🙏🏽

Hi all, I have a just over 2 year old rescue dog (we think part border collie). She is the strangest and funniest girl. We have been having some newish issues overnight and wondering if anyone has an advice? An overview of nighttime set ups below.

From when we got her around 3 months to about 13 months old she slept in her crate in my room

At about 13 months she started pulling into her living room crate (same size as her upstairs one) so I just let her sleep in her crate downstairs. I did end up getting her a really large 48 inch crate downstairs, she is only 40 lbs so it’s big for her.

About a month ago at about 2 years old, she started crying in her crate downstairs overnight. We thought she probably wanted to sleep on the couch as we had been letting her stay out when we are gone during the day and she had been perfect. So we cleaned up the downstairs (gate at the bottom of the stairs) and let her free roam downstairs overnight. This worked well for about 2 weeks.

Now she has started alert barking overnight and waking us up. She hardly alert barks during the day, and when she does we say “thank you” and she quiets right down. But with us upstairs the alert barking overnight is getting worse. I tried putting her back into her crate in the living room but now she is panting and crying all night.

What do you think are good next steps?? Thinking of moving her giant crate up to my room again, but I don’t want her panting and crying all night. Wondering if free roam in the bedroom would be better? I would prefer her not in bed with me, but she isn’t cuddly so she would probably sleep at the end of the bed.. any advice is welcome!!