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Location: Perthshire
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,027
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Originally Posted by
griff
You need to build up the time you leave him, so leave him for 5 mins and back in, then 10 mins and back in and so on...
This is the key.
'Going to Work' is probably a routine the dog knows.
The aim of the game is to leave the house and have the dog think you may well be home at any moment. You might not be - but that's the trick.
Dogs are very observant. For example - simply lifting your car keys might mean '8 hours' to the dog whilst carrying a bin bag might mean 30 seconds.
Mix it up - confuse the dog - drive off and come back after 5 mins etc.
The dog (especially a young one) will be so much more content if they are clueless to when you may return.
Also - when you come home (be it 5 mins or 5 hours) don't make a big fuss of the dog.