Two 7 month old GSD brothers have started coming to our obedience club. They have never been apart ever.
At home they are walked off leash in local woods with two other family dogs without problem.
Problem ocurs when they are on leash, they both panic when they are more than 2 feet apart, niether dog is remotely aggressive but both panic at the slightest thought of being apart, both immediatly try to slip their buckle collars. When they are back together they are extremly submissive, ears back/panting.
The owner is trying hard to find a solution, I have suggested slowly trying to build the distance between them (very small distances) treating with high value rewards as they go.
Is this correct? or am I way off base?
Wendy Lefebvre Webboard User Reg: 12-08-2005
Posts: 1271
Loc: Stoney Creek , Ontario, Canada
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Sounds to me like these dogs have bonded to each other way more than they have with their owner.
They've become "doggy".
Although I am not a professional by any means, I would think that these dogs definately need time away from each other and need to spend alot more time with their owner one on one than with the other dogs. Considering that they do panic without each other, it would need to be a very gradual seperation. I don't think doing the seperation all at once would be a good thing for them, but I could be off base.
I am sure others will chime in with better advice on how exactly to go about doing just that.
Here's an Article from this site as to why raising two puppies, and especially two from the same litter is not a good idea, and how it leads to the dogs becoming too bonded to each other.
Thanks very much for your input Wendy,
I have read Ed's article re 2 puppies and wouldn't try to raise 2 myself but I'm desperatly trying to come up with for constructive advice for this guy.
He has only been up to our club twice now and I would love to be able to help more than I already have.
Howard Knauf Webboard User Reg: 09-24-2003
Posts: 1555
Loc: Melbourne, Florida
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John,
Wendy has it right. The two are bonded to each other and your friend is just along for the ride. Have him get two crates and crate the dogs side by side facing each other. Gradually create distance as well as slightly decrease their view of each other by slanting the crates (plastic type) every couple nights or when it is time. Do not give in to the whining if they start. Do not soothe or bribe them with treats if they are stressing. They will just have to get over it.
This is a good time to have him spend time with the dogs while they are crated. Just be near them and if calm, give a treat or a rub on the nose. He will have to mix up the times of the day when he does this so the dogs dont expect this only at night and then go back to their normal pack routine during the day.
If he wants to do this right it will take some time and effort. Some will say to just separate them and get it over with but if he plans to keep both it wont work.
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2 GSD Brothers With Severe Separation Anxiety
#117894 - 11/15/2006 07:34 AM 
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