Separation anxiety is a serious problem both for the dog and the dog's human guardian. A pet with separation anxiety can injure himself and do thousands of dollars in damage to your property in just a few moments. In addition, the condition is making your life miserable and your dog's life miserable. While you can attempt to treat mild separation anxiety at home, if your dog doesn't respond to training or has a severe problem, consult with your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist and/or a reputable trainer.
Things You'll Need
- Dog toys
- Dog treats
- Leash
Instructions
Stop creating excitement around leaving or arriving at home. Pet your dog and give him treats a half hour or so before you plan to leave and then ignore him until you walk out the door. When you arrive home, ignore your dog for the first five to 10 minutes, and then pet him calmly.
Teach your dog a word or phrase that you say every time you leave and that your dog will come to understand as a signal that you will return. For example, you might say, "take care" or "be a good boy." Say the words calmly, just as you are walking out the door.
Give your dog an article of clothing that you haven't yet washed. Good choices are a T-shirt or pajama pants in which you've recently slept.
Create a safe area in which to confine your dog when you're not at home. Dogs with separation anxiety usually don't do well in crates and may injure themselves trying to escape. A good location might be a bedroom or laundry room. The room should have a window to provide a distraction for the dog. Provide toys to keep him busy.
Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise. A common adage in dog training circles is, "A tired dog is a happy dog." If at all possible, take your dog for a long walk before you must leave him for the day.
Begin creating some distance between you and your dog. Many dogs with separation anxiety are their humans' shadow. Teach your dog the commands "sit" and "stay." Start putting your dog in a sit-stay position when you leave the room. Start out leaving the pet for only a few seconds at a time, gradually increasing the amount of time you can be out of the room without your pet becoming anxious.
Building upon the sit-stay, gradually increase the distance and time you can be gone from the house without your dog becoming anxious. Start by just going out the door and coming back inside within a few seconds. Increase the amount of time until your dog is comfortable with your leaving and stops exhibiting anxiety when you are gone.