Ive had quite a few enquiries lately about suspected Separation Distress in young dogs these last few weeks so thought it best that I create something that might help those who are waiting to work with me in person 🐶👍
If you have a dog who is anxious or destructive when you leave the house, they may be experiencing some form of separation distress- to work out the extent of the issue I highly advise a through vet exam if this is something brand new (behaviour wise) for an older dog and would also like a full history before we work together – Work with me here but whilst you wait – find my tips below.
Fortunately, there are effective techniques you can use to help your dog cope with being alone. In this article, we’ll cover six helpful strategies for separation anxiety training.
Foundation Training: Encouraging Calm Behaviours
Before you start working on separation anxiety training, it’s important to establish a foundation of calm behaviors. This means teaching your dog to relax and settle down on cue. You can use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to encourage your dog to sit or lie down and stay calm. Practice this behavior frequently, gradually increasing the duration of the stay. My favourite technique is to use “The Magic Mat” where this behaviour can be transferred to different parts of the house to encourage settling on a mat and eventually (if required) it can be transferred to settling in a crate with the door open etc I briefly mention how to train this HERE👍
Ditch the Crate: Confinement May Be Hindering Your Results
Many dog owners assume that crating their pet is the best solution for separation anxiety. However, for some dogs, being confined to a small space can actually increase anxiety levels. If you suspect that your dog is not comfortable in their crate, consider trying other confinement methods, such as a gated area or a playpen. Be sure to provide plenty of toys and distractions to keep your pup occupied. These will help to create a space where you dog can learn to take themselves off for “micro absences “ even when you are in – they need to be ok with being away from you – this is great for those who this they dealing with a dog with a base line of around 5-10 seconds 😅Don’t panic it does get better. * A caviat to this I would say that toys can become a predictor of you leaving so only help keep them under threshold for the time it takes to complete the task – extended periods of home alone training will be required AS WELL provided toys and enrichment 👍 which leads me to the point below……
Work Out the Triggers That Are Predicting Your Departure to Your Dog
Dogs have been selectively bred for thousands to work cohesively with their guardians this also means they are experts in watching our body language and seemingly “know” when we are about to leave before we are even aware of what we are doing . They quickly learn to recognize the cues that signal that you’re about to leave the house. This can include putting on your shoes or picking up your keys. To help your dog feel less anxious, try to desensitize them to these triggers. For example, put on your shoes but don’t leave the house, or jingle your keys but don’t go anywhere- multiple times a day . Over time, your dog will learn that these cues don’t always mean you’re leaving for an extended period of time. You can also be a little bit more prepared I like going on about this topic here – and make sure you leave in a calm manner and have those triggering abject steady by the front door so you can make your “actual departure” as calm as possible.
Leave Frequently and Return While the Dog Is Calm
One effective way to help your dog get used to your departures is to practice leaving frequently for short periods of time. This can help your dog learn that you will always come back. Start by leaving for just a few minutes at a time, and gradually increase the duration of your absences. When you return, if you have a dog who frantically greets you on return (there’s a high chance you will because this comes as part of the by products of having Separation Anxiety)be sure to greet them a little (as we don’t want that frustration tipping over the edge ) and then walk all the way through your house and asking for a behaviour that might make their greeting calmer ie: Toss a treat a few times and ask them to “Find it” or get out the previously mentioned Magic Mat and ask them to simple wait on it – mark with the word “Yes” and reward this calmer version of your dog (praise with a soothing tone we are aiming for calmer reactions after all). This reinforces the idea that calmer behaviour is rewarded. I mention the basics of “Yes” training here
Training So Frequently That It Becomes “No Big Deal”
To help your dog feel more comfortable with your departures, you want to train in short yet frequent amounts so that they almost get “bored” of reacting. They get scared because being alone is unpredictable so try to make leaving the house a non-event. Don’t make a big fuss over saying goodbye, make sure that the new predictable keeping under their threshold of stress is the new norm and try not to make a big deal about departures and returns. This helps your dog understand that being alone is now a normal more predictable part of their routine.
Gradually Build Up the Time You Are Outside Out of View
Finally, as your dog becomes more comfortable with your departures, you can start gradually increasing the time you spend out of view. Again, start with short periods of time and gradually build up to longer absences. Be sure to continue rewarding calm behavior, and make sure your dog has plenty of toys and distractions to keep them occupied but make sure you you PLAN ahead give your dog plenty of time to use those toys – ideally half an hour after a walk or being fed they can do these activities (licking sniffing and chewing all promote calm behaviour) so if they are sufficiently calm before you leave instead of a rushed placement of toy and running out the door will make you look even more unpredictable than before. Everything needs to be well rehearsed and predictable because it’s the only training you have to rely on where you cannot be present to do it – this why whilst you work on gradually building these events up in small increments you MUST find ways to keep your dog from tipping over into severe stress – Get a dog walker , send your dog to doggy day care on the days you have to be out of the house, call in as many friends and family you can to take a day each WHATEVER it takes so that your training can take hold and the sacrifice of your time for perhaps 3-6 9 months is worth it so that your dog can have a lifetime of not being anxious.
With patience and persistence, you can help your furry friend overcome separation anxiety or at least increase the amount of time they can cope with being alone and feel more comfortable when you’re away. By following these strategies for separation anxiety training, you’ll be on your way to a happier, more relaxed pup. I know exactly what you are going through as the guardian of two dogs with Separation Anxiety myself – please remember that what they are experiencing is not your fault or their and it is a phobia just like I’m afraid of heights it’s a phobia it’s not rational but it’s still valid and it’s up to the learner (in this case your dog) how quickly or slowly we gradually expose them to the scary thing – in this case being home alone – sometimes younger dogs sail through the training – some need a title longer to realise everything is going to be ok – that’s ok whichever way we get there – If you would like more help with your anxious dog please don’t hesitate to contact me as I can offer this training online as well as in person within 30 miles of Plymouth UK – You can books 1-2-1 session here
Sara @ About Town Pets 🐶
Ps if you liked todays post please be sure to check this post on Training A Teenage Dog Who Has Forgotten Everything 👍
About Town Pets 