subject: How To Beat Dog Separation Anxiety [print this page] Dog separation anxiety is a really tough problem to deal with. It's only natural for your dog to form a really tight bond with you. After all, you are the most important person in his world. It is a great feeling when you come home from work to have your little buddy all excited to see you. But how does this happy to see you feeling spill over into separation anxiety?
Does your dog whine and cry incessantly when you are getting ready to leave him alone for the day? If you leave him alone for five minutes does he become upset and agitated. Do you frequently come home to scenes of destruction when you have been away from your dog for a while? Is he barking too much and annoying the neighbours when you are gone? Do you find puddles of urine as a welcome home present? Is he digging up the garden when you are out?
If you dog is exhibiting these behaviours, then separation anxiety is a possible cause. But what should you do about it? Try these tips to wean him off the separation anxiety behaviours:
Firstly you need to dissociate the triggers for separation anxiety that he has built up over time. He has come to learn that you putting your shoes and coat on might be a good thing (walking time) or it might be a bad thing (you are leaving me time). As soon as you pick up your keys, he knows that he's not coming with you and starts to whine and fret. To break this association you need to start picking up your keys when it isn't time to go out. He'll stop associating keys with separation.
Gradually you can then pick up your keys but only go outside the door for a short while before returning. When you come home, don't make such a fuss of him straight away. It's important that he doesn't go completely crazy on your return, but develops a calmer response.
Slowly build this routine up to going out for a few minutes and then longer. He'll come to realise that you will come back and you might come back pretty soon, so there is no reason to get so worked up about it. As you build up the time that you are away, watch him if you can to see his reaction. If he gets worked up then don't let him sweat it out as this is counter productive. Just come back in and then try it again the next time for a slightly shorter period.
As you build up this routine over a few weeks, he'll start to come to terms with your departures better.
