[micdobe]

It does sound like separation anxiety, in that separation anxiety means just what the words say. Obviously it isn't the really neurotic kind, or you wouldn't be able to leave him anywhere, so count your blessings, I've heard of some dogs who are much worse than he sounds.

I don't know if even a slight change in routine would make him behave this differently, all dogs are different in how they react to and deal with things. Since it seems kind of mild, maybe it would help if your parents did something with him, took him out for a walk or played a game, took him to a drive thru for a burger, something that would occupy his mind for awhile.

Other than that I don't know. I've read about training methods for SA, but they were for dogs who got anxious any time their owner would leave, and took a lot of time with leaving in increments and coming back a few minutes later, ect. I don't know if you have time for that when you're just running errands.

 

[micdobe]

I don't like that woman's advice, I read a little of it and didn't like it at all.

I also think maybe people are talking about two different things here. For dogs who do have separation anxiety, keeping things low key when leaving and arriving is one thing that can help. For dogs who dont' have separation anxiety, the only reason I can see for doing that is to make the dog wait on your permission to greet you, which if you have a good relationship with your dog shouldn't be necessary. Or if you want the greetings toned down so you don't get pawprints and scratches on your good clothes. It's pretty much a common sense kind of thing.

When I leave for work I always tell the dogs, *and* the cats, to be good, have a good day and I'll see them that night. The cats could care less if I'm speaking or not, and the dogs I'm sure don't understand a word of it, but it makes me feel better, that's why I do it. I do it in a purely conversational tone of voice so no one gets excited.

With my Dobermans I don't have too much input on the type or timing of the greeting when I get home from work. Radar was always tremendously excited when I came in the door but instead of greeting me he ran to the back door and wanted out so I kind of thought maybe his excitement was for the chance to pee rather than joy at my return.

Monte usually comes out of his crate slowly and has a good stretch, and then he too wants to go out, so we don't seem to have any issues in that area.