Overbonding

Over-bonding is very common in litter mates and multiple dog households.  Remember, dogs are pack animals and left on their own they can form a “mini-pack.”  Think of how many hours a day they are spending with one another.  If you aren’t sending clear leader-follower cues to your dogs, often they will start relying on each other for guidance and you’ll become incidental. 

Over bonding is also prevalent in the human-dog relationship, which can quickly accelerate to separation anxiety.  Separation anxiety can be complicated and very difficult to solve.  If your dog is exhibiting signs of panic when you are leaving, it is imperative to address the issues immediately.  

Here are some suggestions to work through dog & dog over-bonding.

• Enroll them individually in a group class. Obedience training opens channels of communication.
• Walk them separately
• Feed them separately
• Crate separately
• If you’re having problems calling them in the house, then only let one out at a time.

All of these can help you foster a stronger relationship between you and your dogs and the stronger the relationship the more you’ll be “noticed.”