Pull and STOP, car ride, bark-bark-bark

[Sandra]

I used the advice that someone gave me about every time Ozzie pulls me when I am walking him to stop. I noticed when I stop if I wait for his body to relax then he will walk normally until the next light pole, stop sign etc and then we start over. He was a great boy today! Then I took him for a car ride and he loved it, as usual.

Am I causing a problem by loving him so much that every time I leave him in the car he barks and barks and then hopefully stops when I get in store? Is this separation anxiety? Is this normal with 1-2 year olds? Thanks for taking the time to give advice. Don't know what I would do without all of you! Have a great Labor Day.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Both my dogs can be left in a car and not bark unless strangers get near, they are protecting their domain than, or if they hear another dog barking they may chime in but will go back to lying down and waiting till I return. Ozzie may also be responding to other things around him.

[Adina P]

Too much love doesn't cause separation anxiety, but it's possible your relationship with him might be contributing. I'm not sure though. Given that he gets a bit leash aggressive and can't be separated from you...maybe (though please take my guess with a HUGE grain of salt) in a way he considers himself the leader in this relationship where on leash he feels he must protect you and separated he feels he CAN'T protect you. Is he pretty obedient and responsive to commands, etc? Does he demand attention and get it when he wants it?

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

My dogs have never barked when left in the car. Yankee is almost 2 and he is like velcro to me. Such a Mommy's boy but he sits and waits with no barking. My 4 month old puppy doesn't bark either.