Actually he is not expressing separation anxiety...he is expressing aggression. He is "making sure" the people leave by barking and showing dominance toward them and may even snap at them. This needs to be corrected immediately before he bites someone. You should leash him when people visit and be careful to watch his reaction as they leave and discipline him when he "makes a move" towards them. He needs to learn that this is not acceptable behavior and this could be one of the reasons he was a "rescue" in the first place. Often people don't know how to deal with an aggressive dog or face legal issues and give them up. I bet if you watch his body language he is not being that "friendly" with your guests even before they try to leave. Watch his tail...is it up or down..up means dominance..and you should tell him no when you see this tail set. You may need to crate him while you have company or keep him in another room, at least until you train him. Separation anxiety will only be expressed with his family members, not strangers. This is something serious and you might have to consult a behaviorist or trainer who knows how to handle this type of aggressive behavior if you are unsuccessful at training him yourself. Do this before someone gets hurt. Don't wait. Peace
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Not goodbye.....just until
Marmy always comes back for you
Leibchen March 12,1994 - November 15,2006

WOW very interesting. I am not sure you are correct though. He is very good with everyone while they are in the house. He comes up to them with his "stubby" wiggleing so hard his whole butt shakes. He lays his head on their laps "mooching" for attention. He does not show anything remotely looking like agression other than when they go to leave. He does this with my wife and I also. Not just guests.

Yes, he wags his tail, but is it up or down ? If he holds it up high while he is wagging he is showing dominance, if down while he wags he is being submissive. Watch his tail and posture. If he walks around kinda "stiff" and slow, holding his head high, he is showing dominance too. Laying his head in their laps can be a form of dominance too. He may be saying you can't move until I say so. He is probably picking up silent cues from your guests that they are fearful of him, whether they say so or not. He will know this and use it to his advantage. Most dogs don't show open affection to strangers (especially guard type breeds) and he may not be acting as friendly as you think. He may very well be showing aggression or trying to intimidate them and you aren't aware of it because you don't recognize dog body language. Dobermans, rotties and some other breeds "attack'" when your back is turned to them, or they "get you" while you aren't looking, from behind. This is how they were bred to guard. This is usually why they act this way when people are leaving, because their backs are turned. It is a natural behavior for them, but not for us. You really need to consult a behaviorist or trainer that has experience with this breed and can help you. You don't know the full story of this dog's past and I wouldn't be surprised if he did this before, or worse. Don't take the chance of someone getting hurt. He needs to be re-trained. You need to trust him and your guests need to feel safe when they visit. This behavior needs to be corrected. His behavior when you leave may be separation anxiety, but that can be corrected too and should be. This is a large dog that needs to know who's boss...and it sounds like it's him. Let him know it's YOU. Gentle, but firm correction is needed. Even if he has no intention of actually biting, this behavior is still annoying and disruptive and needs to be corrected anyway. He should not behave this way when you have company and needs to learn manners if nothing else. They are smart and take readily to training, if you know what you're doing. Good luck with him. Peace
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Not goodbye.....just until
Marmy always comes back for you
Leibchen March 12,1994 - November 12,2006

WOW I just don't know what else to say............I have been around this breed my intire life and I have no idea what the ......you are talking about. I feel as if you are maybe of the mindset that most insurance companies seem to have. That is that the breed is dangerous. I have had over 20 Dobies at one time or another. Mostly while we were doing Dobie rescue and none of them have ever been aggressive. I am not sure what you background is but I am sure you are way off base this time. I KNOW my dog. He does know that I am the alpha dog in this house. We had that "discusion" when we first rescued him. I am sorry I do not mean to be rude but you have not even met Duke how can you possibly be so sure you know him?

My dog has it.Sometimes we just take him with us.At other time bring him to our nieghbor's downstairs and pick him up when we get back.A few times we had to leave him home and I played with him and talked and petted him until he calmed down.

My dog spends a lot of time at my parents while I am at work, and either if I am getting ready to leave my house or their house to travel, she just goes nuts, thinking she is going to get left behind. But as soon as I put her in the car, she is calm and content. She is an AWESOME traveller by the way. She can ride in a car for 6 hrs and not make a sound!

My dog spends a lot of time at my parents while I am at work, and either if I am getting ready to leave my house or their house to travel, she just goes nuts, thinking she is going to get left behind. But as soon as I put her in the car, she is calm and content. She is an AWESOME traveller by the way. She can ride in a car for 6 hrs and not make a sound!

My two Min pins do this to the extreme. Both were adopted from abusive homes. Not real abusive, but where they were not treated right. People who hit to punish, with paper, etc. They both are really quite a handful and I know it takes a lot of time to rebuild their trust and undo the damage. They bark when people come or go and they are very protective, with such high energy.

I think these type of dogs should not be gotten by people who are not ready to handle their energy and behaviour. Even I am no expert but I do know how to treat a dog and read what the dog is feeling. Mostly the dogs need long and closeness. I think all dogs need that.

I am glad that I work from home now and spend most of my time with my dogs. I feel very lucky for that. Maybe the dogs were part of my desiccation to live this life.

If anyone has any tips from personal experience with Min Pins and this situation ( post abuse training) I am more then happy to receive it.