Our son just left for college 10 hours away. His dog and best friend, Brownie, is wondering where he went. Brownie is a rescue dog we've had for 2 years. They picked each other. She follows him everywhere. When he leaves to take out the trash she waits by the door for him. Now that he isn't at home she keeps looking for him. She feels comfortable with us but still seems to wonder when he'll be back. Being so far away he won't come home until Thanksgiving. Does anyone have thoughts on how to help with this separation? We're watching to make sure she is still eating.

Kacky writes:

Our son just left for college 10 hours away. His dog and best friend,
Brownie, is wondering where he went. Brownie is a rescue dog we've had
for 2 years. They picked each other. She follows him everywhere. When
he leaves to take out the trash she waits by the door for him. Now that
he isn't at home she keeps looking for him. She feels comfortable with
us but still seems to wonder when he'll be back. Being so far away he
won't come home until Thanksgiving. Does anyone have thoughts on how to
help with this separation? We're watching to make sure she is still
eating.

One of the two remaining of you could enroll in some sort of class
with the dog. Has he been through formal obedience training? That
would establish a new alpha dog for him perhaps in the absence of your
son. Look for dog clubs in your area. He'll be responding to you
and not so lost pretty soon.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/