subject: Will Training Fix My Dog's Separation Anxiety? [print this page] Living with a dog with real separation anxiety can be quite difficult. More than just a dog that barks or cries when you leave the house, genuine separation anxiety means you have a dog that cannot stand to let you out of his sight. He may follow you from room to room. He may become so stressed out that he will defecate in the house, forgetting all housetraining. He may dig, scratch himself raw, howl, or destroy the house when you leave even for a few minutes. Separation anxiety is a true anxiety condition that often requires treatment with medication from your veterinarian.
If you suspect that your dog has separation anxiety the first thing you will need to do is consult with your veterinarian. Once he has confirmed the diagnosis he can begin treating your dog with the appropriate medication. However, this is not the sole way of treating separation anxiety. It's not enough to give your dog a pill and expect him to recover. In most cases you will need to help your dog learn new, positive behaviors to replace his reactions to stress and anxiety.
Behavior modification training usually begins after your dog is taking medication for anxiety. Without medication your dog may still be in a frame of mind that is too anxious for him to learn new, positive reactions. His mind will need to be calmer before he can learn new approaches.
When he is ready to begin learning, your vet may advise you on the training or you may consult with an animal behavior consultant. Animal behavior consultants study canine psychology and undergo training to assist in problems like separation anxiety. Behavior modification training can help your dog overcome issues he may have had because of his anxiety such as barking when you leave the house, housebreaking problems, digging, chewing, destroying things in the house, and so on.
If you work with an animal behavioral consultant they will also teach you how to work with your dog since you are the one who will be spending most of the time with him. Even if your vet gives you these exercises, or you find them online, your dog can benefit from them and relearn how to react once he is less anxious.
The key is for you to remember that your dog's previous behavior came from anxiety. He was not destroying things because he was mad at you or because he was disobeying you. He was acting out of anxiety and fear. With medication and training he is starting with a clean slate. He must relearn how to act under different circumstances. You must try to teach him without doing anything to increase his anxiety. Be patient and kind in your training. Remain calm at all times. Make sure he understands things. Teach things in small segments. It may take time but your dog can relearn his reactions and overcome his separation anxiety.
Behavior modification training can work wonders when a dog is in the right mindset to understand it. It's up to you to help your dog understand what you want him to learn.
