Separating Dogs After a Year

Dogs are social animals who bond well with their human companions as well as other animals. Two dogs who have been eating, sleeping and playing happily together in the same environment for a year or longer are likely to have formed a distinct bond between them, especially if the dogs are littermates. Separating dogs from their playmates can be emotionally difficult for the dog.

  1. Planning for Separation

    • Your dogs may accept being separated more easily if you can get them used to being apart before the actual separation occurs. Start by keeping your dogs kenneled in different areas of the home overnight or during the day while you're at work. Take each dog out separately, allowing them to bond independently with you and helping distance the dogs' relationships with one another. If your dogs are used to spending a significant amount of time apart, then you'll have an easier time making the final break. Your dogs will be less anxious about spending time apart if they are already accustomed to being apart for extended periods of time.

    Home Life

    • Many people have to separate their dogs due to a major life change. Major life changes can include moving to a new home, adding or subtracting people from the household and general large-scale disruptions to the lifestyle your dog has become accustomed to. Your dog is more likely to accept being separated from his companion of the rest of his life stays fairly consistent. If you are separating your dog from his companion at the same time you're moving to a new home in a different region, your dog is more likely to behave in an insecure or nervous way. Dogs undergoing major changes in their lives are more likely to develop bad behaviors as a result of stress or anxiety.

    The Separation

    • Make the separation as simple as possible. You do not want to create a long, drawn-out process out of separating your dogs. Go through your normal routine and then, when it comes time to separate them, just do it. There's no need to make a big production out of allowing your animals to "say goodbye" to one another. Dogs will not understand anything about a farewell ritual other than they had their friend and then they did not. Try to remain as calm and happy as you can while separating the dogs. Your dog can sense your emotions and may become stressed if he senses that you're upset.

    After the Separation

    • After you've separated your dog from his pal, keeping him busy may help reduce his anxiety over the split. Take your dog to the dog park to play and spend plenty of time interacting with him so he won't be lonely. If you work a lot of hours and your dog is missing the daily companionship his friend provided for him, you may want to consider adopting a second dog, hiring a dog walker or even enrolling your dog in doggie daycare. The more activities your dog is participating in, the less likely it will be that he'll have time to miss his former companion.