Dog Separation Anxiety Training Made Easy
A common problem facing many dog owners is the need for dog separation anxiety training.
The problem can be just annoying barking when you go out of the house, or it can be a more serious issue, such as continuous barking that lasts for hours each time you leave, the dog making a mess or even destroying the house.
Dog Separation Anxiety: the Causes The first step in dog separation anxiety training involves acknowledging and understanding the dog's mentality as a pack animal.
You, as the master are naturally the pack leader.
Dogs can become quite attached to masters, and consequently may become very nervous or agitated when you leave.
You can address this by simply changing the actions or routine you follow when you leave the house.
This is because the dog watches you prepare to leave, whether to leave for work in the morning, or to go out in the evening, and he attaches those actions to the upset of being left alone.
Regular repetition of the routine reinforces this connection in his mind, to the point where he can't control his anxious feelings.
This may seem like a negative, but the good news is that you can use this very connection to your advantage to tackle the problem.
Dog Separation Anxiety Training Basics The first thing you need to do as you begin dog separation anxiety training is to change your routine, or the set of actions you take when you leave the house.
Do things in a different order, get dressed earlier or later, change your alarm clock ring.
Dogs notice little actions and put them together, all attached to the process of you leaving.
This is why he may begin demonstrating anxious behavior when your alarm clock goes off in the morning, because to him that signals the start of the whole process which leaves him alone.
Small variations can break the pattern leading to his anxiety, things as simple as grabbing your keys and then sitting down or waiting a bit instead of leaving immediately.
For the same reason, you must avoid lavishing her with attention right before you leave, as well as immediately when you arrive, because this attention is also part of the routine, and reinforces her anxiety.
The goal here is to truly break the pattern and the association of attention they receive with your comings and goings.
It is hard to do, but force yourself to ignore her for 10 or 15 minutes when you come home, and don't pet her when you go out.
The dog will of course whine and complain but do not give in or you will be back to square one, negating all of your efforts.
Change your dog's expectations with regards to how long you will be away is another important tactic in dog separation anxiety training.
Try varying the length of your outings.
Break up any sense of routine and predictability by leaving for different lengths of time, or even going out just a minute and coming right back.
This teaches him that you do indeed come back each time, and you will be able to go out for longer lengths of time without him suffering separation anxiety.
Crate training, or alternatively putting the dog in a separate room of the house and visiting at intervals, is also very helpful in dog separation anxiety training.
You Aren't Being Mean If your dog is suffering from anxiety, you absolutely must address the problem, as prolonged anxiety can affect his health, both mental and physical.
It may be difficult, or you may feel mean ignoring him or refraining from giving him all the affection you want to at times, but remember that it is a necessary part of dog separation anxiety training, and by doing so, you are helping him.
By showing him that you are in charge and that you will return every time you leave, you help him to relax and feel better, and this is the most kind and humane thing you can do for him.
The problem can be just annoying barking when you go out of the house, or it can be a more serious issue, such as continuous barking that lasts for hours each time you leave, the dog making a mess or even destroying the house.
Dog Separation Anxiety: the Causes The first step in dog separation anxiety training involves acknowledging and understanding the dog's mentality as a pack animal.
You, as the master are naturally the pack leader.
Dogs can become quite attached to masters, and consequently may become very nervous or agitated when you leave.
You can address this by simply changing the actions or routine you follow when you leave the house.
This is because the dog watches you prepare to leave, whether to leave for work in the morning, or to go out in the evening, and he attaches those actions to the upset of being left alone.
Regular repetition of the routine reinforces this connection in his mind, to the point where he can't control his anxious feelings.
This may seem like a negative, but the good news is that you can use this very connection to your advantage to tackle the problem.
Dog Separation Anxiety Training Basics The first thing you need to do as you begin dog separation anxiety training is to change your routine, or the set of actions you take when you leave the house.
Do things in a different order, get dressed earlier or later, change your alarm clock ring.
Dogs notice little actions and put them together, all attached to the process of you leaving.
This is why he may begin demonstrating anxious behavior when your alarm clock goes off in the morning, because to him that signals the start of the whole process which leaves him alone.
Small variations can break the pattern leading to his anxiety, things as simple as grabbing your keys and then sitting down or waiting a bit instead of leaving immediately.
For the same reason, you must avoid lavishing her with attention right before you leave, as well as immediately when you arrive, because this attention is also part of the routine, and reinforces her anxiety.
The goal here is to truly break the pattern and the association of attention they receive with your comings and goings.
It is hard to do, but force yourself to ignore her for 10 or 15 minutes when you come home, and don't pet her when you go out.
The dog will of course whine and complain but do not give in or you will be back to square one, negating all of your efforts.
Change your dog's expectations with regards to how long you will be away is another important tactic in dog separation anxiety training.
Try varying the length of your outings.
Break up any sense of routine and predictability by leaving for different lengths of time, or even going out just a minute and coming right back.
This teaches him that you do indeed come back each time, and you will be able to go out for longer lengths of time without him suffering separation anxiety.
Crate training, or alternatively putting the dog in a separate room of the house and visiting at intervals, is also very helpful in dog separation anxiety training.
You Aren't Being Mean If your dog is suffering from anxiety, you absolutely must address the problem, as prolonged anxiety can affect his health, both mental and physical.
It may be difficult, or you may feel mean ignoring him or refraining from giving him all the affection you want to at times, but remember that it is a necessary part of dog separation anxiety training, and by doing so, you are helping him.
By showing him that you are in charge and that you will return every time you leave, you help him to relax and feel better, and this is the most kind and humane thing you can do for him.
