How do you know if it's separation anxiety or jealousy?

[JDH2]

I have litter mates and when one is gone the other is very upset. I didn't realize the importance of separating them much when they were younger. After Max had his accident last year and was at the hospital for weeks Gypsy finally settled down and actually we bonded more. But if one is out of the house for more than a potty break the other will cry and fuss until everyone is back in. When I have tried to take one out for any training or even bathing out of sight it is just awful fussing. Is there anyway to correct my mistake? Sometimes it will help if I give the other a bone but that isn't always feasible. It is also hard when trying to walk both together because they seem to listen to each other more than pay attention to me. Max almost passed his CGC and I plan to go back to classes as soon as my health will allow, then it will be her turn. But like in the morning when I take him to the vet without her I don't want her upset. Any suggestions?

 

[R Taft]

I would say it is not jealousy and a form of anxiety.

Is there two of you?

How about if you both leave the house going for a walk, with one dog each and go into opposite direction. It would be great if you had a small circuit and could come home without heading towards one another.

We have two litter-mates at obedience and they were awful at first. but we now have them working in separate classes a fair way away from each other. We keep them busy and they have no time to think about each other.
And now sometimes they go in the same class, with some dogs between them.
Their owner now often takes the dogs out for short walks one at the time. the dog left home is left in a safe place and just given a foody toy and if someone is able to be home with the other dog, do distracting lessons. Keep the home dog busy too if there is someone to do this, that would be preferred. The owner with the two dogs tells me they are so much better.
At home we take out single dogs or pairs for that exact reason. But you can still fix it. Just initially do it for short periods and ignore the winging, do not try to calm the dog, just make the dog busy and reward good quiet behavior. The worst thing is if you make a fuss of the dog that is unhappy.........Ignore it and make them busy, even a game would do.
Hope it goes well Ronnie

 

[JDH2]

That makes it clearer. Thanks! My husband has a crazy work schedule but I can have my live-in MIL stay and work with the other and I will have her go to classes with us too. She has let them pull on and get away with more than I do when she baby-sits them. I was not happy about this and explained to her again what to do but classes would help everybody more. I'm praying that my body will be nice and let us do the CGC class because we had a trainer come to us and got ready for it before.

 

[R Taft]

Good luck Ronnie