Any day now we are expecting a litter of puppies. Initially a good mother will refuse to leave her pups unattended, then take longer periods of absence as they grow. That’s how she prepares them for the outside world, a responsibility she takes very seriously.

If only owners did the same, no dog would ever suffer from separation anxiety.

It’s the continuous babying of dogs that causes this stressful condition.

With our own pups, we always follow the example set by the mother and give them regular time alone.

We resist the temptation to respond to whining as this only teaches the pups to manipulate us.

All our dogs have daily constructive exercise with physical and mental challenges.

By the time we take them indoors, they’re happy to have some time alone.

None of our dogs are allowed upstairs, they know their boundaries, and we never invite them onto the furniture.

All dogs like to belong to a strong pack. You don’t see members of a strong pack with phobias.

When the pack moves, they move together and any nervous dog will trust the pack with his security.

Having firm rules and enforcing them tells a dog he’s part of a strong pack and gives him the security he needs to spend increasing amounts of time alone.

Do not make a big deal out of leaving him, and ignore him for the first 15 minutes when you return. The less fuss you make the more secure he will be. Just treat your absence as the natural flow of daily activity.

A word of warning however: do not acquire a dog if you are out at work all day, every day. He needs that physical and mental challenge.

Read more training tips on Vic’s website: www.vicbarlow.com , and read Vic's earlier column's by clicking here .