I know this sounds funny but I have a friend whose dog barks from separation anxiety. Every time she leaves, it goes mad and keeps barking till she returns and it happens every time the dog is left home alone.

What is the solution?

Tell your friend to make her arrivals and departures very boring and low-key. Don't make a big fuss over saying hello and goodbye. Be very casual and up-beat. Try to make interactions with her dog on her terms, not his. Pet him, treat him, or play with him when she want, and not when the dog asks for it. Get her dog used to your getting-ready-to-leave cues, like picking up keys and jacket. Go through these actions repeatedly during the time when you're staying home, without actually leaving. If your dog has already learned to associate his fears with her departure cues, it will take a lot of repetitions before the dog will get it.

Consider taking her dog to doggie daycare or to a friend's house, so that he is not actually alone, while she train her dog to deal with being alone. Remember, dogs are pack animals that want to be with others. Note that for many dogs who have bonded strongly with people, having another dog is not enough.

Twinklestar has given a lot of good advice, but please remind your friend that overcoming the separation anxiety is a long and drawn out process, so as tempted as they may be to give up, they have to persevere. I wish your friend the best of luck.

Her dog needs to be socialized and trained. How much training the dog needs, depends on the breed.

So dogs has a separation anxiety. Proper training, exercise, socialized and raised correctly are good for your dogs. Dogs can be left alone for 7 hours by themselves.

That’s why I disagree on sending my Doberman to police training. When he returns to us, he might not recognize us from the time of the separation.

I heard they pay you a monthly salary for your dog to serve ether the police or the military. Separation from your dog for a long period of time might cause memory erasure. It might not recognize you anymore as their master or companion.

Yes James, I also heard that. Your dog would serve in the army or the police and will be trained in bomb sniffing and other police duties. The scary thing about that is when your dog is out of commission or is on vacation, they might not recognize you anymore.

How long can your dog separate with their owners and still recognize them when they return?

I think they can be separated for only a month. If it’s more than a month, it might not recognize their owners anymore.

Anyone tried separating from your pets for a long time? (at least 6 months)

I had a Rottweiler before, I was offered to take my dog to a military school and train as a K9 dog. That would be for 6 months but I’m afraid to do it because it might cause some separation anxiety. Once he comes back home maybe he would not recognized as his master.

That could be a great training for your dog. I think your dog would be returned at least twice a month in your house. Is it true?

I was advised I could see my dog after the training and it's duty. There's no break for the dog's training. The bad thing that it would be recalled again for duty if they need him again. The good thing is that my dog will be compensated for his duty.