Pets, like people are products of "LEARNED" behavior. If your child throws a tantrum and it gets rewarded with a sucker, to quiet them, you've successfully taught them that their behavior was one you might like to see again. It's pretty much the same with your canine baby.
If you're going to the groomers, the pet store or to see the veterinarian and YOU'RE already nervous, your pet immediately picks up on your unusual body language, your tone of voice and is thinking "Ohhh noooo, somethings really wrong here"... this is when they begin to shake or act reluctant to go. Being concerned for them already, most owners will hug their fur baby even tighter, pet them a little longer, talking to them even more high pitched... saying "it's alright, baby, she's not going to hurt you"... when what your pet hears is "I have a real reason to be frightened of this person, or this place and when I get scared, they pet and love on me even more, so acting like this is a good thing".
Pets rely on human judgement a lot and they understand a great deal more of what we do and say, than they are given credit for. When I'm at work, lots of owners will hold their pocket pets for 20 min. while I'm trying to pry the dog out of their arms. They'll give them a bunch of extra kisses, leaving lipstick on their foreheads, saying "but he never shakes like this" and their pup is eating it up (ofcourse)... cause they're SMART animals and who wouldn't?!
This behavior is soon repeated, regardless of how you're handling the seperation, because they know they're going to get all those extra hugs and kisses for being so shaken up in a different enviroment. What's funny is... when the owner leaves, that bundle of nerves becomes our best friend, who's attached to us like glue. The only rule being... don't do it during drop off or there'll be no extra hugs. See what I mean? LOL
