Once the honeymoon period is over, watch out!!  You are entering the adolescence or teenage years of your dog.   You are about to enter the wild ride of the good and the really bad. So be prepared this is part of the dog ownership commitment you made when you brought the new dog home.  You will want to give the dog back, but grin and bear it; it will end.

After the honeymoon your dog will start to test the boundaries to see how strong your rules and routines are to the pack/your family. Some may challenge you for food or toys. Other dogs bond so closely with their humans that they become more demanding of your attention or over-dependant. 

Stick to your plan and schedule.  Stick to the times for attention and when your dog should have some alone/quiet time. Consistency and patience are needed when the honeymoon is over.

The over-dependent dog may develop into a dog that you can't leave alone to go out and run errands or work, even for a few minutes. These dogs suffer from a form of separation anxiety and may howl, bark, become destructive or go to the toilet indoors when left alone. They simply do not know what to do without you since you have been showering him with all the attention he requested and now suddenly you are gone.

Follow these steps to ensure your dog is given love, attention and security without becoming over-dependant on you.

1. To avoid your dog becoming 'addicted' to you in the first few weeks, give attention when you decide, not when he demands it.

2. Don't allow your dog to follow you from room to room. Shut doors between you and him as part of your daily routine. Try not to allow constant contact when you are together. Many dogs will develop 'separation anxiety' if they constantly need to be touched by their owners.

3. Practice trial separations. Encourage your dog to go to his bed or kennel, offer him a toy or raw bone to chew on, then leave. Repeat this for short periods of time each day. This is especially important if you have taken time off work, or bring your new dog home during holidays to help him settle in, as it would be a big shock for your dog to be suddenly left alone when you return to work.

4. When you do leave your dog, ensure they have toys that are fun to play with alone. Most dog toys are only fun if you play as well. Big raw bones (never cooked or chicken bones) can keep them entertained for a while. 'Kongs' or 'Buster Cubes' are interactive dog toys. They become very rewarding for a dog to play with when filled with food as the dog must work out how to get the food out of them. You can keep the novelty value of these toys by only offering them when you are going out.

5. Don't make a big fuss and say goodbye to your dog each time you leave him. He will become excited by the attention only to have it taken away. Try to draw as little attention to your departure as possible.

6. Also, when you return home, do not greet your dog if he is barking or crying in excitement. Wait until the initial excitement has died down before saying hello. This again will remind him that attention is given when you decide, not on demand.