"diddy" none wrote in message
. ..
[snip]

Those who are seldom home alone usually have the most dependency on your
presence ... hence the separation anxiety.

I'm home most of the time and constantly battle Sep-Anx with my dogs.
Seems
boys are worse than girls.

My boy has finally worked through his separation anxiety, but just in
case,
i crate him when gone.

I'm surprised that (I'm assuming) Tuck has Sep-Anx issues, but I think all
dogs are unique individuals, and many factors combine to define their
behavior. Muttley has always been a low-key, independent, and aloof dog,
and he was apparently doing pretty well fending for himself on the streets
before he was rescued. He certainly had his issues, especially in the first
six months when I mostly kept him tethered outside, and had to watch him
closely when I allowed him some freedom indoors. But he seemed to
communicate to me very strongly that he wanted to be inside, and not forced
outside, and I was able to allow him free run of the house, first for a
couple of hours, and then eventually for 12-14 hours.

There were times when I would be at home continually for several days at a
time, so I guess he got used to a variable schedule. He never seemed
"needy", as some dogs are, so I may have been fortunate that he came
pre-wired with a good disposition for being left alone. He enjoys being
with me most of the time, but also enjoys chewing his bones by the
woodstove downstairs, or basking in the sun on the deck. He also usually
likes to sleep in bed with me, mostly curled up at my feet (or on them),
but sometimes he likes to lay with his head on the pillow next to me.

Lucky was more of a "needy" dog, in terms of wanting to be with people.
That's why it was especially sad when she was made to stay tethered by the
Gazebo while she was at Eagles Nest. It was nice to see her freely roaming
the property unleashed, and interacting well with lots of people and the
many cats, but it was also scary and dangerous when she ran across the busy
road. When I finally took her in, I had to keep her crated much of the
time, because of Muttley's jealousy and rough play that looked as if it
might escalate into a real fight. When I had to go away for 8-12 hours, I
always crated her and allowed Muttley to roam the house. I only left them
together in the house once, for a couple of hours, and it was OK, but I
feared that I might come home to a canine crime scene. She would often bark
and howl when she was in the crate too long, and I felt sorry for having to
make her live that way. She really was a "people" dog, and she really
seemed to become totally relaxed with me on the last night I had her, as
she lay next to me all night in bed, while Muttley was locked out of the
room. It is a bittersweet memory, but I am sure she has a much better home
now.

It's time for me to ask Muttley to get off the bed so I can get
comfortable, after which he will rejoin me for a good night's sleep. It's
going to be a cold night, but not quite a "3 Dog Night".

Paul and Muttley