Another disorder, for which professional advice is frequently sought, is separation anxiety. The dogs are brought in because they have caused a lot of destruction, urinated or defecated all over the house or wherever the dog has access, or even because the dog cries when left alone (barking, howling, whimpering). These behaviors are caused by attachment, even over-attachment, to a person. Attachment is a learned mechanism that allows the subject to identify the mother as the object of attachment and a reassuring point of reference. Attachment is absolutely necessary for proper imprinting and for the healthy psychological, motor, cognitive and social development of the animal. During the neonatal period, the bitch bonds with her young ones and anything that stands in the way of contact between her and her puppies will cause great distress. During the transition period, the young pups bond to their mother. She alone will be capable of pacifying her puppies. She becomes the reassuring point of reference around which exploratory behavior develops. Attachment is therefore reciprocal. Any attempt to prevent contact causes a state of distress, expressed by vocal sounds and a state of agitation both on the part of the mother and the puppies. But where there is attachment, there must be detachment.
This is an important event in the socialization process of the puppy. Once the male puppies reach the age of four to five months, the mother no longer tolerates contact with them and forbids them from approaching her. They must sleep elsewhere. This episode causes the puppies to be marginalized. As for young females, the process is slower and begins during their first or second heat.
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