Could tethering (to me) lead to separation anxiety?

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Hi DK friends! I'm in need of your expertise on how to raise a single pup who is able to be alone but bonded to his peeps and well supervised.
We had Ripley (lost him in Sept to lymphoma) who I'd tethered in the beginning to me and he trained beautifully to what was and wasn't appropriate house behavior, but he did at times howl after we left the house and was sad to be alone. :(
Now we are picking up a new pup on the 26th (so scared and excited about this one!) and I'd like to tether him to me - but read that it can lead to separation anxiety?? How do I manage this one?
I apologize if this should be in puppy madness, just hoping to get some training savvy ears here! Thank you!!

[Andrea, Belle and Honey]

Cindy,

I am so glad to hear that you are welcoming another doodle into your family, and wish you a long and joyful life together. The experts have given you lots of great advice, to which I can only add that I tethered Belle when she first came home and followed Doggy Dan's suggestions, and while Belle has not been problem free in other respects, she has never shown any signs of separation anxiety. She has no relationship (except mischief-making) with our 2 cats, and our elderly, sick terrier does her best to avoid all contact with Belle, So I am sure they offer no companionship or comfort when home alone together. What does help, I think, is that Belle , who is always crated when I am out, loves her crate, which she runs to voluntarily to sleep in at night whenever I say "bed." Just our experience, for whatever it is worth. Looking forward to lots of pictures of the new addition to your family!

Andrea

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Andrea, thank you for the kind reply and for sharing those adorable moments - I can just picture it all!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You have already gotten the best advice.  I think some of the dogs with separation anxiety are simply born that way. I am so glad to hear that you are getting another doodle and wish you many loving years with it.  Keep us posted with pics as they grow and definitely when you get to bring him or her home.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I, too, am glad your heart has healed enough to be excited about a new puppy.  I am sure this puppy will steal your heart, and become well behaved,  I have always tethered my puppies and I have never had one have separation anxiety.  Except for our first dog, we have always had two dogs, so perhaps that has helped.

Several trainers have explained tethering to me in different ways, but it all comes down to this:  After a fairly short time, the puppy (or grown dog, if he comes to you as an unknown) does not think of himself as tethered, he is unaware of the leash and just knows that when you are home he is with you or in his safe sleeping place.  My dogs are encouraged to follow me around the house for a long time after they are untethered before I leave them alone to "roam"  the house and yard (doggy door). 

You did a fabulous job with Ripley by your own admission, you will with this one also.  Try not worry about separation anxiety. If when you first leave him alone, leave him exactly as you would leave him if were bedtime or naptime and that should be reassuring to him.   

[Amy and Annabelle]

Cindy, I am so happy for you and your family...and for your new little puppy who will be much loved. Can't wait to see pics and hear all about him/her.

I tethered Annabelle for a few months after we got her. She doesn't appear to have separation anxiety. But then she is with us pretty much 24/7. On the occasion that we do leave her, she seems to be ok with it. She usually just sleeps while we are away. Now she does follow me everywhere, but I like it, so I have never trained her otherwise.

[Gwyndolyn Morasko]

I haven't researched the topic of tethering enough to understand the possible benefits. I always worried they might have separation anxiety, so I didn't tether either of my pups. I have a puppy cam so I know that neither of them have separation anxiety. They are very calm and rest a lot when I'm gone. But I see by the replies that tethering hasn't been negative for others, so....I would go with what feels right to you. It felt right to me to never tether, and it worked out great for me, but tethering has worked for others.