How To Prevent Separation Anxiety with Dogs
November 15, 2011 • Health & Wellness •
by: Jonathan Klein
I’m currently working with a couple and their new puppy on some foundation training to help get the dog accustomed to being alone. In the course of the training I learned that most of the time the dog was sleeping in bed with the couple or sitting on the couch squished between their legs because it upset them to hear the dog cry. I outlined the steps for separation anxiety prevention and urged them to really commit to the training. I explained that since the dog was still a young puppy there was lots of time for improvement.
Over the next few weeks the dog continued its training with us and the owner said it was doing much better. In fact, they said it had become the “perfect” dog. The couple needed to leave town for a night and asked us to board the dog. While we have a huge facility there was no room at the Inn so I offered to take the dog and keep him at my house. They quickly agreed. Since I can’t count on the dog being housebroken or be sure it won’t do any damage, I made a puppy safe place for it, a pen with a crate, nice bedding, water, and enough toys to keep him occupied and happy.
The bottom line is that no matter how hard I tried to get the dog to settle and entertain itself, under no circumstances was he willing to be alone. It was instantly clear to me that the relationship he had established with his owner is that he told them what to do – not the other way around.
When they picked him up I mentioned our restless night. Interestingly, they had two replies, simultaneously. While one of them shook their head and said, “It must have been something you did because the dog is perfect at home,” the other said, “See honey, we have to stop catering to his every need.”
Fortunately, this case hasn’t progressed to the stage of concern where the dog is busting through barriers or damaging itself but it does highlight why preventing separation anxiety is so terribly important. It’s also a relatively easy issue to correct if we remember to keep our dogs comfortable and never give in to the attention it craves. Following are some steps to help prevent separation anxiety.
Prevention and Cure
We want our dogs to become accustomed to being alone and the best way to do that is when you’re at home together. We build the dog’s independence and confidence by teaching them to respect us as kind, caring leaders. We need to teach our dogs that there is going to be alone time and quiet time every day.
Create a safe area where your dog will begin to feel comfortable whether you’re home or not. You’ll certainly want to make sure it has enough room but don’t feel your dog needs the run of the house. Use an exercise pen, crate and or a baby gate to create the special dog safe place. Usually the more central it is in the home the faster the dog will adjust.
To work on getting the dog used to being alone we’ll want to put it in its area and just go about our business around the house without making a fuss over it. Practice restricting your dog in its safe place several times a day when you are home as well as keeping him there when you leave him home. One way we can unknowingly contribute to our dog’s stress is if we make a big deal about coming or going so the more matter-of-fact you are the better.
When you leave, you can certainly do things to make the dog not feel so alone. Leaving on radio or television tuned to a talk rather than music station is helpful. I know a number of people who have had success recording their own voice on a continuous loop on their computer and playing that for their dog when they aren’t home.
Some dogs will bark out of boredom so to help keep mentally stimulated try hiding kibble bite-sized dog chews or some ‘puzzle toys’ that can be filled with food which gives them a project to keep them busy.
To prepare your dog for your departure you’ll want to put it in its area well in advance of your leaving so it will have time to settle down. Just go about your business as if the dog wasn’t there.
When you return home you’ll want to make sure to not put any more emphasis on it than when you left so when you walk in don’t go to the dog right away. You’ll want to wait about five minutes before greeting the dog calmly. Don’t get over gushy with your greeting and certainly never punish or chastise the dog in any way if you walk in on an ‘accident’ or some damage. This will only make matters worse.
Dogs can learn what not to do just as easily as they learn what’s right. And while your instinct may be to soothe your dog so he’ll stop barking the best course of action is to ignore it and reward him when he’s quiet. This is part of the “Learn to Earn a Gold Star” approach to training where we only reward our dogs when they exhibit good behavior on their own. When your dog is quiet it’s time to make contact. What he learns is that when he’s quiet he gets your attention and when he barks, he doesn’t.
But remember, we never want to punish our dogs for their stress-induced behavior. This only adds to the stress and exasperates the problem.
Separation anxiety can be hard on you, the neighbors and most certainly your dog. You can prevent it from ever becoming a problem by applying these basic steps consistently and remembering to praise the ‘good’ and ignore the ‘bad,” you’ll be well on your way to having a happy, well-adjusted and secure dog.
Happy Training!
Expert trainer and behaviorist Jonathan Klein is the owner of the award-winning boarding and training facility ”I Said Sit!” School for Dogs. His articles have appeared in numerous publications including Pet Press LA, Dog Days in LA, Tails, Pet News and Views, The AVMA Journal and has contributed to articles in Parents Magazine, Associated Press and USA Today. Jonathan has trained more than 7,000 dogs in his 23-year career. He is a pioneer in the causative approach to training, where removing the cause rather than punishing the dog for the symptoms solves behavioral problems. Jonathan also offers training tips on his website The Dog Behavior Expert.
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