Why do dogs have separation anxiety?

One of the biggest causes of separation anxiety is lack of leadership. If your dog does not feel you are the pack leader then the job of protecting the pack falls to them. Could you imagine how you would feel if you had a young child that you are responsible for and that child walked out of the house and disappeared without you knowing where they went and if they are safe or not. This is what the dog experiences every time you leave the house when they feel they are responsible for your safety. In order to stop the anxiety the dog has to know that you are in charge and not them. While living with us in our world a dog is not capable of being in charge and only can be well behaved and happy if it is clear that you are the alpha, capable of making decisions for the pack and ensuring the safety of the pack. In the wild when the alpha wolf goes out to hunt those that stay behind do not stress over his or her leaving because they are confident in their leadership and know they will return. The alphas comings and goings are never questioned it is their right to do so and canines operate with this same mentality.

What creates Leadership, Balance and Harmony?

The biggest factor in success or failure is consistency. These steps must become a way of life and be practiced by everyone in the house all the time. When a dog sees that you act like a leader sometimes and not others it causes anxiety and confusion, in their world if you are not going to be the pack leader full time one of them will have to step up and take on the role vacated by you. Dogs in nature crave leadership and are the happiest when a strong leader is in place and they know what their place in the pecking order is. Even after you achieve success you must always maintain the alpha role through consistency in order to keep a happy pack.