Home Alone - Solving Separation Anxiety Problems
Most dogs cope well when left alone, but some show anxiety or panic when separated from their family. The most common signs of separation anxiety are vocalization when the family departs and destructiveness and elimination problems during their absence. Dogs with separation anxiety usually display destructiveness at exits and windows and will whine or bark repeatedly.
Causes of Separation Anxiety
There are many things that can cause separation anxiety. Genetics, early experience, and maternal behavior may all play a role in causing this problem. Some dogs can develop separation anxiety after a change in routine or after a traumatic experience occurred when they were alone. You might help this anxiety from forming by teaching your puppy to spend time away from family members in a resting area, bed or crate either for napping or playing with toys.
Treating the Problem
Before starting any training for anxiety, it is important to visit your veterinarian first to confirm that anxiety is actually the problem.
Preparing for Future Departure
Keep in mind that training your pet takes time and effort to implement- do not expect overnight results.
To start off your training, provide your pet with a predictable routine and enough exercise to meet the dog's needs. After exercise, play, or training sessions, schedule timws with no interaction so tat your pet learns to spend time alone in its resting area. It is important when training your dog to focus on rewarding he good behavior and NOT punishing your dog for bad behavior. Never punish your dog for destructive behavior done in your absence.
Use the following steps to help reduce separation anxiety:
1. Use things your dog loves, such as toys, treats or walks, as rewards when training your dog to perform a relaxed "sit", "down" and "stay" especially in the resting area. Gradually encourage your dog to stay and relax for longer periods of time before giving a reward. Do not reward attention seeking behaviors, such as barking, whining or pawing, and teach your dog that sitting or lying calmly is the only way to earn affection.
2. Train your dog to go to the resting area after an exercise, play or training session. You can train your dog to go to and stay in the resting place by leaving toys and chews in the area. You may want to try using a crate to teach your dog to stay in the area for longer periods of time. You can also using a dog- appeasing pheromone spray, giving the dog a piece of clothing that belongs to a family member or playing music to further relax your dog while in the resting area.
3. As practice, put on your coat, grab your keys and walk out of the home, or open the garage door, while your dog is relaxed or playing with toys. Frequently repeat these pre-departure actions until your dog becomes accustomed to them and they no longer trigger an anxiety. Ignore your dog for a few minutes, and while the dog is calm and occupied, leave for a very short period of time and try to return while our pet is still calm. Gradually increase the length of your absence.
Moving toward Successful Departure
When you are actually going somewhere, try the following tips:
1. Restrict the dog to the designated resting area during periods of absence, but only if your dog has learned to relax in the area.
2. Before each departure, provide your dog with play and exercise, and then encourage your dog to go to the resting place.
3. Use you dog's favorite chewy treats or chew toys to keep your dog occupied while you are gone.
Causes of Separation Anxiety
There are many things that can cause separation anxiety. Genetics, early experience, and maternal behavior may all play a role in causing this problem. Some dogs can develop separation anxiety after a change in routine or after a traumatic experience occurred when they were alone. You might help this anxiety from forming by teaching your puppy to spend time away from family members in a resting area, bed or crate either for napping or playing with toys.
Treating the Problem
Before starting any training for anxiety, it is important to visit your veterinarian first to confirm that anxiety is actually the problem.
Preparing for Future Departure
Keep in mind that training your pet takes time and effort to implement- do not expect overnight results.
To start off your training, provide your pet with a predictable routine and enough exercise to meet the dog's needs. After exercise, play, or training sessions, schedule timws with no interaction so tat your pet learns to spend time alone in its resting area. It is important when training your dog to focus on rewarding he good behavior and NOT punishing your dog for bad behavior. Never punish your dog for destructive behavior done in your absence.
Use the following steps to help reduce separation anxiety:
1. Use things your dog loves, such as toys, treats or walks, as rewards when training your dog to perform a relaxed "sit", "down" and "stay" especially in the resting area. Gradually encourage your dog to stay and relax for longer periods of time before giving a reward. Do not reward attention seeking behaviors, such as barking, whining or pawing, and teach your dog that sitting or lying calmly is the only way to earn affection.
2. Train your dog to go to the resting area after an exercise, play or training session. You can train your dog to go to and stay in the resting place by leaving toys and chews in the area. You may want to try using a crate to teach your dog to stay in the area for longer periods of time. You can also using a dog- appeasing pheromone spray, giving the dog a piece of clothing that belongs to a family member or playing music to further relax your dog while in the resting area.
3. As practice, put on your coat, grab your keys and walk out of the home, or open the garage door, while your dog is relaxed or playing with toys. Frequently repeat these pre-departure actions until your dog becomes accustomed to them and they no longer trigger an anxiety. Ignore your dog for a few minutes, and while the dog is calm and occupied, leave for a very short period of time and try to return while our pet is still calm. Gradually increase the length of your absence.
Moving toward Successful Departure
When you are actually going somewhere, try the following tips:
1. Restrict the dog to the designated resting area during periods of absence, but only if your dog has learned to relax in the area.
2. Before each departure, provide your dog with play and exercise, and then encourage your dog to go to the resting place.
3. Use you dog's favorite chewy treats or chew toys to keep your dog occupied while you are gone.
