This page is provided for puppy parents who can't visit in person, so they may watch their puppies grow Puppy Nursery Available Pups Our pups are $2000 to $2500 D.O.B - 9/3/25 G.H.D. - 10/29/25 Sugar & Levi boy boy girl girl girl Reserved Reserved Reserved girl girl D.O.B - 9/19/25 G.H.D - 11/14/25 Gigi & Levi boy Reserved boy boy Reserved girl Reserved girl girl Reserved girl girl Planned Litters Estimated D.O.B. 11/11/25 Tippy & Levi Estimated G.H.D. 12/27/25 Estimated D.O.B. 11/14/25 Tootsie & Levi Estimated G.H.D. 1/9/26 Guardian Litters These are litters that are being cared for off-site by family members, but are under our direction. D.O.B. - 9/24/25 G.H.D. - 11/19/25 Chloe & Levi boy Reserved boy Reserved boy boy boy girl D.O.B. - 10/19/25 G.H.D. - 12/14/25 Haley & Levi boy boy boy boy girl girl The Puppy Process Once the puppies are born and thriving (7-10 days) We ask for a $300 deposit to help ensure the pup has a forever home when ready. Balance due can be paid at time of pick up but must be in guaranteed funds either a bank issued cashier's check or cash. We encourage puppy parents to come and visit with us to see their new baby in person during his/her 8-10 week stay here. Photos and videos will be provided via Facebook, our website and YouTube so that you are able to follow your puppy's progress! We are always here to answer your questions so please don't be shy!! Our new puppy pack will include American Kennel Club paperwork for registration of your new puppy, puppy wellness checkup receipt and shot record, starter bag of our food and informational pages. 1 "litter familiar" blanket and his/her favorite toy (more to help with transition) Our puppies are held for a minimum of 8 weeks, it is important that our pups stay with mom and litter mates for at least 8 weeks for puppies' temperament, learning, development, and future interaction with other dogs, children and other people. This is the period when a puppy learns from dam and litter mates, proper interaction and manners with other dogs, how to moderate their bite pressure, food bowl manners, pack structure, understanding and interaction and much more. This experience , training and interaction CAN NOT be replicated effectively outside the dam/litter mate environment. This time with dam and litter mates helps produce a stable, well adjusted, happy adult dog!!! The beginning stages of potty training takes place at around 4 weeks and continues until they leave. First from a puppy crate to "wee-wee" pad and eventually thru the puppy door to the outside first thing in the morning and immediately after meals. Past Puppies 1/1

This page is provided for puppy parents who can't visit in person, so they may watch their puppies grow Cape Fear Bichons Video page You can watch all our videos in one location on our youtube channel ! Just Click Here Current Videos Updates Monday Updates Wednesday Updates Friday PreviousVideos Available between the hrs. of 8:00am - 6:00pm everyday Content, including images, displayed on this website, is protected by copyright laws. Downloading, republication, retransmission or reproduction on this website is strictly prohibited.

This page consists of some of our most asked question. You can aways reach out to us to have your specific questions answered Frequently Asked Questions Q : What is the price of your puppies and what is the process to purchase ? A : Our pups are $2000 for males, $2500 for females. Ltd. AKC registration male or female. We request that you fill out our "puppy questionnaire" this page can be found on this website. We use this list to reach out to puppy parents when a Bichon becomes available to you. When females give birth, we will review this list and reach out to parents. You can pay upfront, make payments or pay Final amount at pick up, but it must be guaranteed funds only. Bank cashier check or cash. Q : What size crate do you use ? A : Our adult dogs use a 36" crate that we purchase from Chewy.com. or Amazon. At approx. 7 weeks old our puppies start training in a 24" crate to help them to gain some independence. Separate crates, but right next to their siblings. We recommend you purchase the adult 36" crate and overstuff with blanket or bed to make it comfy on one end and a pee pad on the other end, their little bladders can't hold it through the night. Once potty training is done he/she will have plenty of space to grow into. Q : How can I fly in to pick up my puppy ? A : We live just minutes from ILM airport (Wilmington International) Delta Airlines and American Airlines both fly pups out of this airport. Click the links to get ALL the information ! NOTE: as of 1/2/2019 we have learned that, American flys as young as 8 wks old, with flight health certification, Delta flys no younger then 10 wk olds with flight health certification. Spirit flys as young as 8 wk olds, no certification required . Q : Do you ship your puppies ? A : We are sorry but we do not ship our puppies in an airline cargo hold by themselves. The safety and well being of our pups is of the utmost importance to us. If the distance is to far to drive, and you can not fly with your new pup in the passenger cabin, we recommend a fly nanny or a ground courier service. Our transportation page is Transportation & Flight Nanny | capefearbichons. Here are the two companies we have been using and trust through the years : LIBERTY ACRES KENNELS SEMPER FI TRANSPORT libertyacres501@gmail.com Semperfipettransport@Gmail.com Tel: (501) 336-4274 tel: (910) 358-4606 Q : CAN I SEE THE PARENTS IF I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ? A :: Yes, in most cases both parents may be onsite and may be available for you to see. If you are flying in, we can pick you up at the airport (ilm) and bring you to our home. We would be happy to shuttle you ! Q : WHAT DO YOU FEED YOUR DOGS AND PUPPIES A : Our puppies start on a Kirkland signature canned wet puppy food with water added to make it thin and soupy. When they start getting their teeth in we'll add a moistened Natural Balance puppy kibble. Then they graduate to moistened Natural Balance kibble until they go home. Your food selection from there is your decision, whether you continue or if you have a preferred brand. We will provide a week's worth for you to transition them to a new food. We suggest Farmers dog, Ollie, NomNomNow and stella & chewy freeze-dried raw food, these can be found on chewy.com. or Amazon. You can also prepare meals yourself; a big help is Dr Beckers homemade meals book. (if you have the time to prepare) you must also provide nutrients, bone meal.... etc. Q : Why is my puppies hair so wispy, fly away and patchy ? A : It's important to know, that your Bichon Frises coat will change drastically from puppy hood to adulthood. Their baby coat can be curly, straight or wavy. This does not mean that they will have the same hair when they are fully grown. No one can guess what your baby will look like. The look of the parents will help to determine that, but no one can guess how many generations back your babies look will come from. Some straight haired babies develop a lot of curl and some curly babies get straighter hair as adults. Each puppy is different. When you first get your Bichon baby, she probably had a light fur coat but at around three to six months of age this will change and she will start to grow in her soft baby coat. Your puppy may drop its infant coat from the head down to the tail and look as if the night elves were taking out her hair one at a time. If you look closely you will see short hair growing in underneath. This new baby hair will continue to grow and get thicker until the puppy is an adult at 3 years of age. Yes, she will lose her first hair (infant hair) and go through a stage of having a thin, patchy, ugly coat, followed by growing in a thicker adult coat. This can happen anywhere from 3-8 months. Her full adult coat should be in place by 3 years of age. Breeding and bloodlines do determine exactly how full a dog's coat will be. The boy's hair tends to grow in a lot faster than the girls do. Q: WHY DO BICHONS FRISES HAVE SPOTTED SKIN? A: As a Bichon gets older, cow-like spots and splotches may appear on its belly. The spots are more prominent with a summer haircut or after a bath. This is an accumulation of melanin that is genetic and is a normal response to sun exposure in white or light-colored dogs. Likewise, the pigment of a Bichon's nose may lighten after several summer's worth of outdoor play, and with more time spent outside. Q: WHY DO BICHONS FRISES CHEW ON THEIR FEET? A: Foot chewing may be a sign of allergies or irritation. It may just be front prolonged wet feet. Bichons can be prone to allergies, so a dog who often chews on its feet should be seen by a veterinarian to rule out an allergy, injury, or other irritation. Q: HOW DO YOU PREVENT BROWN STAINING ON A BICHON FRISE? A: While the pinkish- to brown-colored staining on a Bichon's face and body may be caused by eating, saliva from grooming, or walking through dirt and mud, some staining may be related to eye conditions or other health problems. The first step to preventing staining on a Bichon would be to speak with the veterinarian to rule out a medical concern. If there is no medical cause for the staining, regular cleaning of the stained areas and wiping tears from the eyes may help. Iron in water can cause fur discoloration, as can dog food that includes dyes. Keeping the facial hair trimmed and wiping the dog's face daily can minimize staining due to food and water, but it may never fully prevent staining. See our Bichon eye staining page for more information. Q: DO YOU OFFER SHOW QUALITY PETS OR BREEDING RIGHTS OF MALE OR FEMALE PUPS ? A: No, sorry we do not offer any other AKC registration other then Limited, no breeding rights, nor do we offer any pup that we would consider show ring ready. Our pups are mainly for companionship.

This is our current breeding male and females. Click "link" to see pedigree Sires and Dams Our Bichons live in our home with us. They are family members and loved and cherished as such. We breed for quality, not quantity Levi 2024 Cape Fear's Levi Sugar 2025 Cape Fear's Powered Sugar Coco Cape Fear's Sweet Coconut Bubbles Cape Fear's Sparkling Champaign Bubbles Tippy 2025 Cape Fear's Tiny Tippy Toes Tootsie Cape Fear's Tootsie Pop Gigi Cape Fear's Georgina Darlings Cookie Cape Fear's Sugar Cookie Bunny Esmae/Tex homegrown puppy

Here you can learn more about us, our story and some photos Our Story PASSION FOR ANIMALS Our names are Jackie & Dan, as long as we both can remember we have had dogs in our lives. From mutts to purebreds. We have had many, many breeds as Jackie has a passion for animals and wants to save every last one ! In 2011 we purchased our first breeding Bichon Frise and simply fell in love. We wanted to share this experience with others. We love meeting new people in the dog world and enjoy making people happy with these astounding dogs. Our love for the Bichon and interest in introducing them to others inspired us to become an AKC Bichon Frise breeder. We founded Cape Fear Bichons in 2013, and have been providing the east coast and beyond with pure breed AKC puppies, always keeping in mind the Bichon breed standard. We are a breeder of H.E.A.R.T. and are striving to acquire even more credentials. Your next beautiful fluff ball can't wait to meet you !! Our puppies are cherished members of our family, raised within our loving home. We prioritize their health, happiness, and well-being, ensuring they receive constant attention, socialization, and the utmost care. Frequent interaction with our adult children, grandchildren, and visitors provides our puppies with valuable social experiences, preparing them for life in their forever homes. We are committed to supporting our puppy parents throughout their journey. We are always available to answer questions and address any concerns, even long after you've welcomed your new furry companion into your family

We are Cape Fear Bichons, a breeder of Bichon Frise puppies. We breed for quality no quantity. We are a breeder of H.E.A.R.T. All breeding dogs are O.F.A.& genetically tested, our goal is to continue to produce beautiful, healthy dogs that meet the breed standard. Cape Fear Bichons Ltd. AKC registered pure bred Bichon Frise puppies from champion bloodlines Available to answer questions via text or email between the hrs. of 8:00am - 5:00pm everyday Available for visits, inquire ahead of time Content, including images, displayed on this website, is protected by copyright laws. Downloading, republication, retransmission or reproduction on this website is strictly prohibited.

If you are having trouble house breaking your Bichon, our 'Mastering housebreaking" website page can help. Remember to stay consistent with your pup. Housebreaking your puppy: Do's and don'ts The process of housebreaking often brings on feelings of nervousness and worry, but the process does not have to be stressful for you or your puppy. The truth is this is a situation where you have Mother Nature working with you right from the start while puppy training. When the puppies are first born, they eat and they relieve themselves inside the den, but the mother always cleans them. There is never a scent of urine or feces where the puppies eat, sleep, and live. When they get old enough, they learn to use outside areas as they imitate their mother. Conditioning in this way, all dogs become conditioned to never potty in their dens. From two to four months of age, most pups pick up on the concept of housebreaking and crate training quite easily since it is part of their natural programming. Puppy’s digestive tract Another built-in plus when it comes to housebreaking is our puppy’s digestive tract, which is extremely quick and efficient. Five to 30 minutes after the puppy eats, they want to defecate. So with a consistent eating schedule, and your attention to the clock, your puppy can maintain regular trips outside. In the early days of housebreaking, you also want to make sure the puppy has a place to relieve herself where she feels safe; a place that seems and smells familiar. Have you noticed how dogs will often eliminate in the very same spot they’ve done so before? The scent acts like a trigger. Your energy As always, remember your own energy is a big factor in your housebreaking efforts. If you are feeling nervous or impatient, or are trying to rush a puppy to relieve themselves, that too can also stress them out. Using a loud, high squeaky tone to encourage your puppy to “go potty” is a distraction to the dog, so try and avoid any conversation at all. Setting a routine First thing every morning, bring your puppy outside to the same general area. It is important to remain consistent throughout this process so your puppy can learn the habit. Once your puppy has successfully gone outside, it is important to reward their good behavior. It doesn’t have to be a big, loud celebration, but a simple quiet approval or a treat can get the message across of a job well done. Positive reinforcement Don’t punish your puppy for an accident or do anything to create a negative association with their bodily functions. Stay calm and assertive, and quietly remove the puppy to the place where you want him to go. Done correctly, housebreaking should not be a turbulent production but just a matter of putting a little extra work into getting your puppy on a schedule during the first weeks after she arrives at your home. Don’t let unnecessary stress over this very natural, uncomplicated process taint any of the joy surrounding the puppy training process and your new dog’s puppyhood. Secrets to housebreaking adult dogs When most people think about housebreaking a dog, they imagine an adorable little scamp that fits in the palm of their hand and plays with toys all day — in other words, a puppy. But what if you have an older dog that isn’t housebroken because they're a rescue? The rules for training adult dogs can be a bit different. First and foremost, you want to determine two things: The issue isn’t due to a medical problem. The soiling isn’t a behavioral issue. If you discover the issue is related to either of those things, there are specific actions you can take based on what’s actually causing the problem. Your veterinarian can guide you on medical issues, and you may need to consult a canine professional if the soiling is connected to a behavioral problem. Convinced their bathroom problems are simply due to a lack of training? Read on! Use scheduled, consistent feeding Feed your dog at the same time every day and take their bowl away between meals. This will reduce the chance of them having, “extra fuel in the tank,” so to speak. Have scheduled, consistent elimination times Even fully trained adult dogs should be let out to go to the bathroom at least four times a day, so you want to give your pooch ample time to do their business when training. Another kind of “consistency” that can help is to go to the same area to eliminate. Smelling his own scent can encourage him to go. Reward good behavior When they do their business outside, make sure you’re right there to reward them with treats, praise, play, or a walk. Startle, don’t scare If, and only if, you catch them in the act of eliminating (not 5 minutes later!), clap so that you startle them out of what they’re doing. Then take them outside and offer them praise and treats after they finish eliminating. Many pet parents have an urge to yell, or otherwise scare or punish their dog for eliminating inside, but all this does is make them afraid of you. When that happens, most dogs simply hide from their owners when they need to go. This is also why you should only startle your dog while they’re actually 'going' inside. If the correction doesn’t happen during the misbehavior, they won’t make the connection. Watch them closely Some dogs give very clear signals when they need to go, such as scratching at the door, while others don’t. To prevent accidents while training, keep an eye out for signals. If you can’t do that, crating will be necessary to train them to hold it until you can take them outside. Most pups simply won’t eliminate in their crate. Scrub, scrub, scrub No matter how vigilant you are, there are probably going to be accidents. Unfortunately, dogs tend to continue going where they’ve gone before, so you need to engage in some deep cleaning to really get the smell out of any soiled areas. Great Helpful Videos

We found this information online and felt it was great information for new Bichon parents First Day with your new Bichon Your First Day at Home With a New Puppy: Tips For Day One The day you bring your new Bichon home, is the day you’ve been waiting for. It’s your first day as long-term companions, and you want to begin bonding with your pup immediately. Start off right by staying home, so you can make your puppy feel secure and enjoy every minute of this experience. Here are some tips to make sure the first day is the best it can be for your puppy, for you, and for your family. Introducing Puppy to a New Home Limit your puppy’s access. Too many new places, smells, and people at once may confuse him. Instead, let him explore a designated area where you are, too. Then introduce him to the rest of the house, one room at a time. Choose a potty spot. Start by taking him to the outside area where you want him to eliminate. When he does relieve himself, use a command that you’ll stick to like “go potty” and reward him with a special treat and praise. Introduce him to his new family. If possible, do this one person at a time. Give him a chance to meet each of you quietly. Supervise young children. Discourage them from picking up the puppy. Let them hold him in their laps with your help. Minimize stress and excitement. Don’t invite friends and neighbors over to meet him yet. That will be important very soon, but should not start on the first day. Introduce other family pets. Puppies are still developing their communication skills and don’t understand the rules set in place by adult dogs. As long as an adult dogs behavior is appropriate when correcting a puppy, it’s okay if she growls a little. If the elder dog becomes agitated, separate or redirect the puppy. Don’t interact with dogs outside your home. Because your puppy hasn’t gotten all his shots, he shouldn’t interact with strange dogs or even walk where other dogs do. Start enforcing rules. The puppy needs to learn the house rules from the very beginning. Praise good behavior. Set your rules ahead of time and stick to them, for example: Where do you want puppy to sleep? Is puppy allowed on furniture? Start a Routine and Stick to It Structure will help your new Bichon feel secure and understand what’s expected of him. Routine makes it easier for everyone, humans included. Create a schedule and stick to it ! Mealtime, however you decide to feed your puppy, 2 or 3 times a day, put your puppy on a regular feeding schedule. What goes in on a regular schedule will come out on a regular schedule. Potty breaks Every time your puppy eats, drinks, wakes up, plays, sniffs around the room — most young puppies have to pee at least every 45 minutes when awake. Pick the puppy up and carry him to the designated potty area. Never punish him for house training “mistakes.” When he pees or poops outside, reward him immediately. Playtime: Your puppy needs exercise and interaction with you. A word of caution: sustained, strenuous exercise (long runs, jumping) is not good for puppies, but playing with toys and with you, mental stimulation with puzzles, and running in the yard are great. A tired puppy is a good puppy. Dreamland: Young puppies sleep alot; in fact, some will sleep 16-to-18 hours a day. Plan on several nap times during the day. You may need to put a crate in a quiet part of the house so he won’t be disturbed. At night, set a puppy bedtime and help him get used to the routine. Surviving the First Night Some puppies sleep through the night right from the start. Others may cry for a few nights. And some may not be able to hold their pee and will need a middle of the night trip outside. Hopefully before too long this will be over. For many puppies, evening is the “witching hour,” and if you anticipate it by initiating play, he may use up some energy and settle down. An evening stroll gives him exercise and a chance to take a potty break. Be sure he potties right before bed. Put the crate in your bedroom if need be. Your pup will feel more secure if he has you nearby. Our supplied blanket and stuffed toy that smells like his mother and siblings should be in his crate. A set bedtime makes his adjustment and house training easier for everyone. It doesn’t matter if it’s 8 p.m. or midnight, as long as it becomes a routine. Take him to his crate and help him settle down for the night – giving him a small treat when he goes in willingly. If your puppy is not yet able to make it through the night, when he whines, quietly carry him out for a quick, boring potty break. Then put him back in the crate. If the pup cries, do not put him in your bed unless that is where you want him to sleep. You can put the crate right next to your bed and put your hand inside to reassure him that you’re there. A crate is like a den where a puppy normally won’t pee. Building Strong Bonds With lots of affectionate contact with the family, consistent rules and routine, and rewards for good behavior, your puppy will quickly learn his place in his new “pack.” Most importantly, you will establish a bond that will endure throughout his life.

You will find our trusted transporters here. You must reach out to them directly as prices will vary depending on location. Ground Transportation Highly recommended, NC local, pet transport company we use and loved is, Semper Fi Transport semperfipettransport@gmail.com 910-358-4606 semperfipettranspo.wixsite.com Veteran owned and USDA certified business based out of Jacksonville,NC. Dedicated, Prompt and Safe delivery Please contact them directly as everyone's needs and travel distances are different. They will be able to quote you an exact price for their services. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liberty Acres Pet Resources www.libertyacrespetresourses.com / libertyacres501@gmail.com / Tel: (501) 336-4274 You have purchased your new fur family member from an out of state breeder and anxiously await the time when he or she is ready to join you in your home. As the anticipation grows, we understand that sometimes your work or life doesn't allow you to drop everything and travel to get your new bundle of joy. This is where Liberty Acres Pet Transport steps in! Transporting your new furbaby is an honor and pleasure they don't take lightly. They offer several options to make the exciting reunion possible! Flight Nanny Services Thier flight lap nanny services allow new pup parents the peace of mind that their pup is accompanied every step along the way over greater faster distances to their new furever home. We remove the stress of planning and booking flights by taking care of all the details. Communication and photos of the furbaby are regular throughout the entire process. Pups must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh under 20lbs. For information on rates and flight availability, contact them via phone, text, or email.

This information is very important to the health of you Bichon. We recommend waiting until they reach their full growth potential before spaying or neutering. Pediatric Neutering An increasing body of evidence shows that neutering (including spaying) male and female dogs can have adverse health effects such as an increased risk of certain joint disorders (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cranial cruciate ligament rupture) and cancer (lymphoma, mast cell tumor, hemangiosarcoma, and osteosarcoma). However, this risk varies depending on the breed, age at neuter, and sex of the dog. With funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), researchers examined medical records from the University of California, Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital to analyze these risks. They have created guidelines based on breed, sex, and body weight regarding when to neuter a dog in order to avoid increasing the risks of these joint disorders and cancers. Referances : https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388 https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00472

This is just a link to Chewy.com great family-owned business for all your pet needs with the convivence of delivery right to your door. We have found that there is one company online that has almost everything you will need at a great price for your Bichon, and the best part is, it arrives right at your front door. Yes, you may need something they don't carry one day, but most of the time they have you covered !!

One drawback of the Bichon is that they can suffer from separation anxiety. This page will help with that. How to Train Your Dog to Be Independent This training is a must if you are to leave your Bichon alone for any extended length of time. Even more then a hour ! Perhaps your dog has always been a clingy pup. Maybe he is a rescue with some trauma in his past that makes him stick to you like glue. Then there are the dogs that are always after you to play with them. Why can't they just entertain themselves sometimes? We have many reasons for wanting our dogs to be more independent. There is nothing like the joy of watching a nervous dog finally strike boldly out on his own, following a scent or chasing a butterfly. Dogs naturally want to be independent, so teaching them is more like reminding than it is instructing. Defining Tasks Teaching your dog to be independent requires changing her attitudes about the environment and strangers. It probably won’t happen in one session or even in a couple of weeks of training. Although you may see breakthroughs, your dog is likely to slide back into her old dependent ways when faced with a new situation. Many repetitions are required, in a variety of situations, in order for your dog to learn to be independent enough to creatively respond to new things instead of depending on your guidance in everything. The time and effort are worth it, both because it is fun and exciting to see your dog learning to react to new things with independent interest and curiosity, and because the skill of independence will allow your dog a joy and autonomy in life that otherwise would have been lost to her. Dogs of all ages, breeds, and dispositions can learn to be independent, but each dog is an individual, and our patience is the most important element in teaching our dogs to think for themselves. Getting Started The first thing you will need to do is to define your goals for your dog. Think of situations in which she now behaves dependently and how you would like to see her behave to fully embrace those situations. Does she cower behind your legs at the dog park instead of playing with the other dogs? Does she bark or growl nervously from your side instead of meeting new people? Maybe she pushes her slimy tennis ball against your hand every second while you’re watching TV, even after an hour of playing ball outside and a twenty-minute jog. Think of as many situations as you can. Next, make a list of everything you can think of that your dog hasn’t done, that you could conceivably do. Be creative. Have you gone to your local stores that allow dogs? Do you have dog-friendly friends who would be willing to babysit for an afternoon? Is there a dog park you haven’t tried, maybe at a beach within driving distance, or one that offers swimming or an agility course? Finally, think of those things your dog reliably loves in life. Gather her favorite treats, toys, good juicy bones for chewing, and a comfy but portable bed or blanket. The Bring a Friend Method - Most Recommended STEP 1 Choose your friend This can be any dog that your dog can coexist with. They don’t need to best buddies or accustomed to playing together, they just need to be able to share a space peacefully. STEP 2 Watch and learn Take the two dogs to a new environment and let them explore without interference. Your dog may initially stay close to you as is her custom, but hopefully she is watching the other dog and getting curious. STEP 3 Don’t interfere Don’t point things out to your dog or direct her behavior in any way. Don’t encourage her either to stay with your or to wander. Just be calm and act interested in your own pursuits. Ignore the dogs as much as possible. STEP 4 Extra help, If you have been at this for some time and your dog will still not leave your side, you can try tying a lead from your dog to the other dog. It is best to use a harness on the leading dog, and a neck collar on your nervous dog, so the leading dog can more easily influence their direction. STEP 5 Be watchful Observe the dogs together, ensuring that no one is panicking. For some time they will likely compromise between being close to you and wandering off, but hopefully the leading dog’s influence will win out and encourage your clingy dog to be more independent. The Picnic Method - Effective STEP 1 Pack your goodies Pack all of your dog’s favorite things and go with her to a brand new place. Try to avoid anywhere she has had a bad experience or has a known aversion to. STEP 2 Home is where the stuff is. Lay out your dog’s blanket or bed, and pull out some goodies. Start with the least interesting stuff, and if your dog is not absorbed by it then work your way up to the really good bone. STEP 3 Act natural Pretend the two of you are at home, just hanging out. Be consciously calm and relaxed and let your relaxed energy radiate to your pup. STEP 4 Ignore success Eventually, your dog will become curious about something in this new environment and take steps away from the home blanket. Don’t react. If your dog looks at you, just keep doing what you were doing and act calm and relaxed. STEP 5 Time to explore As your dog explores the new environment, when she encounters something scary she will likely bolt back to you and the blanket. Don’t react to this, but just allow your dog to regain her confidence in the safe place until she is ready to wander off again. STEP 6 Protect the safe place If anyone follows your dog back to her blanket, whether it is a dog or person, prevent them from following her onto her bed. This must be a safe place for her to feel like she can retreat to and develop confidence. STEP 7 Practice The more places and situations in which you do this the more independent your dog will become. Eventually, you will rarely need the blanket when you go out because your dog will be independent enough to not rely on her safe place. The Substitute Human Method - Effective STEP 1 Maybe it’s you While it’s hard to admit when we are negatively affecting our dog’s behavior, sometimes the relationship we build with our dog can actually be too strong. STEP 2 Separation anxiety If your dog can’t stand to be away from you, you can build independence by teaching your dog that other people can stand in as her person when you aren’t there. This is inherently going to be stressful, but taking it slow can reduce the stress for you and your dog. STEP 3 Baby steps Start by teaching your dog that other humans bring good things. Have your accomplice give your dog all kinds of yummy treats and play with her, everything your dog loves best, while you move around the room. STEP 4 Brief separation When your dog is focused on the other human even when you move out of her line of sight, it is time for you to start briefly exiting the room. Start with 30 second exits and then extend them as your dog becomes more comfortable. When you come back into the room, do not greet your dog or react to her in any way. STEP 5 Start leaving your dog with your accomplice for hours at a time, and have your accomplice walk your dog and take her to places like the dog park. When your dog feels comfortable with that human, get another to help you. Eventually, your dog will learn that good things can still happen when you aren’t together, and will become more independent.