Training a Dog Not to Cry When Leaving

Dogs who cry when their owners leave have separation anxiety. When a dog whines or cries, it is afraid of being abandoned by its pack ̵1; you. This is not uncommon, especially with single dogs bonded to their owners. However, the crying can also occur in multiple-dog homes. The dog regards you as the ̶0;alpha,̶1; or leader, and may feel frightened when you leave.

  1. What Causes Crying?

    • To train your dog not to cry when you leave, you must address the cause: the dog's fear that you are abandoning it and will not return. You can't train the dog not to cry. The dog must learn that there's no reason to cry. Saying ̶0;no̶1; or punishing the dog for crying will only compound the problem. The dog will be frightened that you're leaving and also be upset that it is being scolded.

    Reassure the Dog

    • You can't explain to your dog that you'll be back. But you can teach the dog that its fears are groundless by starting with short departures. This may take some time, but it will help solve the problem. Leave the house for just a few minutes and then return. Do this frequently ̵1; as many times a day as you can, to start. Gradually increase the length of time until you're gone for an hour. Then leave for several five-minute absences before increasing the length of time again.

    Don't Make a Fuss

    • When you return each time, don't greet the dog right away. Be matter-of-fact about leaving and returning; just put your coat on and go without talking to the dog. When you return a few minutes later, don't immediately greet the dog or praise it. Instead, take your coat off; put down packages, and then casually greet the dog. The dog needs to learn that your leaving is not an unusual event to be feared and understand that you will come back.

    Distractions and Exercise

    • Give your dog plenty of exercise before leaving.

      Before you leave the house, take the dog on a walk or play a game with it. A tired dog is less likely to whine and more likely to sleep while you're gone. Be sure the dog gets plenty of exercise when you're home. A few minutes before you're going to leave, give the dog a toy that can be stuffed with a treat, such as a hollow rubber toy that can be filled with a few pieces of kibble or an interactive dog toy. Avoid leaving the dog alone with anything such as small rawhide chews that could pose a choking hazard.

    Do's and Don'ts

    • Leave your dog in a space where it feels safe when you're gone, such as a crate or a room the dog is used to. Don't lock the dog in a room that it only goes to when you leave. Don't return if the dog whines to reassure the dog. This tells the dog that crying works and will make the problem worse. Instead, work on desensitizing the dog by teaching it that everything is fine when you go out.