Expert: Anne Springer, B.S., Dip., CAPCT - 4/18/2008

Question
I HAVE A 1 YEAR OLD LAB HE IS A MAMMAS BOY.SOMEONE THREW HIM AWAY WHEN HE WAS ABOUT 7 WEEKS OLD.I LOVE HIM TO DEATH I HAVE 3 OTHER DOGS AND NONE OF THEM ARE AS CLINGY AS BUBBA MY HUSBAND SAYS HE SPOILED AND HE DOESN'T NEED TO BE ON ME ALL DAY .HE SAYS HE INSECURE AND HE IS REALLY PROTECTIVE OF ME.ITS LIKE MY HUSBAND AND MY DOG COMPETE FOR MY ATTENTION.I CANNOT LEAVE THE ROOM WITHOUT BUBBA RIGHT BEHIND ME.HE SLEEPS WITH ME AND STAYS RIGHT WITH ME WHEN I'M HOME.SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM BEING DEPRESSED,NOT CONFIDENT PLEASE HELP ME I JUST WANT TO GIVE HIM AND THE REST OF MY DOGS THE BEST LIFE POSSIABLE.AM I WRONG TO LET HIM BE SO CLINGY.HE ALSO DOESN'T LIKE THE OTHER DOGS AROUND ME SUZANNE

Answer
He may not have real separation anxiety, but sounds like he may be a controlling dog (by that, I don't mean in a horrible way, just trying to control his environment to make himself feel secure.  That's not to say that it isn't due to general anxiety, which can certainly be the case with a dog separated from his litter too early.  My advice would be to watch the DVD on Anxiety by Trish King (www.tawzerdogvideos.com) and try to determine which type dog you have.  There are some good suggestions on how to deal with each.  I don't think your husband is right about him being "spoiled", and I think he's inappropriately jealous, but I do think he has a point about the necessity for helping this dog learn to cope without being so controlling of you and dependent on your presence.  You have to ask yourself - would you put up with the same behavior from a spouse?  LOL, I don't think so!  But, the answer to this lies in training and behavior modification based on sound principles, and not on punishment, abandonment, or other shoot from the hip solutions.  If you can't manage to solve this on your own with the aid of the tape, do consult with a local behaviorist.  I think this is certainly fix-able.