Last night we played "Where's Mommy?" and then "Where's Daddy?" and it was alot of fun!!

I played two rounds out in the open. Then Daddy played a round where he cheated by hiding under the kitchen sink. Then I played a round where I was in a closet with the door open about an inch.

First two rounds, Bear was very eager and happy, even though it took him a while to find me. Daddy round - he couldn't have cared less "where daddy" was. lol! On the last round, kept running between the bedroom and the living room and he started whining after about 3 mins at which point I opened the door wider and stuck a treat out so he could hone in. Then we ended the game.

Well this morning, my DH got up earlier than me, letting me sleep in. He closed the bedroom door, like always, and Bear went wild! He was pacing all through the house (I could hear his feet pitter patter on the floor) and was whining. After about two minutes of that, I couldn't sleep anymore so I got up. Did all my morning duties behind the baby gate, and the whining just increased in frequency and volume. I eventually told Bear to "knock it off" and asked my DH to keep an eye on him b/c I could tell (even though I was out of sight) that he was thinking of jumping the babygate (again!) and I don't want that to become a habit. After about 5 mins he settled down at which point I came out front. And we moved on through our morning.

So, the question remains.... did I mess up? Have I inadvertenly given him the beginnings of seperation anxiety?

What should I do to stop the whining? Right now, I'm ignoring it. But I worry if ignoring it will reinforce the anxiety.

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I can't see that causing separation anxiety. With every dog we've ever had we play hide and seek with them. It's great fun and mental stimulation which is always good.
We've never had a dog start whining after playing this game so I'm at a loss for advice, sorry.

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Thanks! I thought it would be a great way to wear him out and hopefully amp up his nosework, since he's starting to act more and more like a hound as of late. I heard great stories of it being a successful and fun game, so I was totally caught off guard when he whined. I've been watching him like a hawk this morning, and he's been clingy, then standoffish, then independent, then playful.... which is all very normal for him. He doesn't seem to freak out when I leave the room right now. He will try to follow me, but doesn't complain when I say "you can't come".

Maybe I'm over-reacting.

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My experience has been the same as Joyce's except I usually do it outside. Inside I'll hide a treat or toy and have Woody find it. It's amazing how he can follow the scent of my footsteps to find the treat.

And I do agree with how you're handling the winning...no attention until he stops.

Pete

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Sonny, the black lab, ran ahead to make sure there were no gophers or jackrabbits in the way. If you don't give a dog a specific job, he'll improvise one for himself and it will invariably be fun. There's a lesson there.
John Gierach

"Find it" is Bella's favorite game. I just have her do a sit stay in one room, and hide a treat in another room. She's getting pretty good at it. I think I'll try it with a toy later, and see how that goes.


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Grasslands Liberty Belle "Bella" CGC (5-7-2012)