With vaccinations rolling out by the millions many of us may start leaving the house for longer periods of time or, even planning a wonderful vacation (can you imagine?). However, this brings up a serious subject  - Separation Anxiety in dogs! While am delighted that so many people have brought new dogs into their homes during the pandemic, I also understand that some of these dogs haven't really had to be alone much. This may come as a BIG surprise to all when the time comes. Helping your dog with separation anxiety before it starts is the best approach. Or, if you have a dog with separation anxiety, here are some tips to help. 

Before you leave your dog consider:

1. Crate/Pen training: If your dog is young or untrustworthy when left unattended (not fully house trained, destructive, anxious) you should consider implementing a crate or pen training program for them. Crate training is a great way to keep your puppy or adult safe from harm. Crate training can also help with the potty training process BUT they need to be conditioned to stay in a crate (or pen) first in order to avoid or treat Separation Anxiety. I have provided two crate training links below to give you some ideas on how to start and complete the process of crate training.
NOTE: Separation Anxiety can be complex and the term is general - if your dog already has it, please seek the help of a Positive Reinforcement or Force Free trainer before attempting crate training. Confinement training is not for every dog and it's important to understand (and honor) those dogs that do not fair well in confinement. 

2. Desensitize your dog to "triggers". Your dog will find that the tasks of you putting on your shoes or jacket or grabbing your keys or purse signals you are leaving the house. Over time, these tasks could become "triggers" to your dog. For some dogs these triggers don't mean much but to others it could begin a stressful sequence. I recommend you take a few moments each day to practice these tasks without actually leaving the house. Next, leave and come back quickly (grab your keys or purse to take out the trash for example). Find ways to practice desensitizing your dog to the tasks that normally mean you are leaving the house for some time. (This will not necessarily solve a true separation anxiety problem, but there is certainly benefits to being proactive). Any time we can take a few moments to work on something before it's an issue is time well spent. 

3. Music/Television. If you do need to leave, start putting on some music or television for your dog (again, try not to turn this into a "trigger" by also doing these things when you aren't leaving or a few minutes before you actually leave). Sound helps to break up the silence of your absence.

4. Keep your comings and goings boring. It's fine to say goodbye to your dog but don't make a big deal of it. When you come back home, keep it BORING. Keep your excitement inside and greet your dog casually. We want our dogs to feel safe and calm when we come and go, they are already excited so it's best not to add to it. 

4. Puzzle feeder/Kong. It's often advised to leave your dog with a food feeder to keep them busy when you leave. This may work well for some dogs and that is great, but, for others it can begin to represent time alone and they may not touch it. Start offering your dog such things now, have them enjoy it in your presence and try leaving the room momentarily to see if they continue eating or stop to look for you. This can be a subtle indicator of trouble to come (but don't panic, it doesn't mean you will have a big problem). Although there are some dogs that simply don't eat unless their human is around but they don't have separation anxiety so it's best to be understand and be aware of our own dog's preferences. 

5. Video. Setting up a video (or old phone) can help you to see how your dog feels when you leave. Do they pace? whine? stare out the window? scratch at the door? It's a good idea to find out how your dog feels when you leave. A video camera will help you to check to see how long the reactions are so you can work backwards from the time they remained comfortable. I like this one from Amazon. It's affordable, has two way audio and you can rotate it from your phone to see where your dog is in the room! Video camera for pets:
 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P76BWYN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Here are some FREE crate (or confinement) training videos and tips to help you transition your dog to spending time alone. You can apply the same methods to leaving your dog in a room, a pen or in general, alone in the house. 

Video One (first steps): https://vimeo.com/466376781/132b8363c9
Video Two (extended crate time): https://vimeo.com/466376720/7b5f074444

Do:

1. Train your dog to go in and out of the crate with the door OFF to start. 
2. Stay quiet and avoid eye contact when your dog is in their crate (eye contact and talking might distract and/or excite them and cause them to want out). When we want our dogs to be calm, we have to be calm and quiet also.
3. Provide food toys IF they are relaxed and able to eat. If they aren't they may be too stressed and you will have to take a step back (without food) and work more slowly.
4. Take the process slowly, it's not something that should be rushed. If you can't take time to crate train, it's best not to use it for the time being. 
5. Celebrate small victories! Sometimes even 5 minutes is a great start.

Don't:

1. Have any expectations - every dog transitions in their own time.
2. Rush this process! Try to build up on time progressively.
3. Make a big deal when you leave or come home. Make the fact of you leaving the house (and returning) as boring as can be. Try not to say much when you leave (a simple goodbye will do) and don't come home and use an excited voice when you return. 
4. Sneak out. Avoid sneaking away, it could create additional fear in your dog.
5. Leave your dog for longer than they can handle.
6. Overuse confinement - it's for management. If you must leave your dog for extended periods of time please consider having a family member or dog walker come and walk or play with them.

It's important to learn how your dog feels about you leaving - even if it's just the room. If their reaction is subtle, practice leaving in very short bursts of time, only building up when your dog is comfortable. If it's extreme start proactive training now!

Does your dog panic when you start to leave the house? Or destroy things while you are away, bark, chew…you name it? You may have a dog with separation anxiety. 
 
There are many ways you can help treat your dog’s issue of separation anxiety. First, think about what they are FEELING. The bottom line…They want to be with you and it makes them anxious when they can’t. It’s important to make the fact that you are leaving them a GOOD thing by changing the way they feel about you leaving. You can help your dog with their separation anxiety by:

1. Defining the moments that set them off. Is it when you put your shoes on, grab your purse, keys, turn off lights or say goodbye (maybe all of the above)? Start paying attention and become aware of the triggers for your dog. 
2. Next, start doing those things when you aren’t leaving them. Desensitize them to the triggers.. Don’t say anything to your dog when you do so. At random: Put on your shoes and either take them off or leave them on - without leaving your house, go in and out of the front door for no reason, grab your keys and move them to another spot (or simply jingle them and set them back down). If your dog reacts, ignore the reaction completely. Start slow and build up to completing all of the sequenced tasks in order (as long as your dog doesn’t get stressed) without actually leaving.
3. When they are doing well with the indoor triggers, walk out the front door and come right back – without looking at your dog or saying anything. Start the car, turn it off and come back. Make the process uneventful by practicing and being calm and boring when leaving and coming back.
4. Practice leaving for short periods of time. Pay attention to your dog’s mood/behavior when your return to get a feel for what length of time they are comfortable with and slowly increase the time. 
5. If you come home and your dog is jumping, barking and overly excited be careful not to add to it by talking excitedly to them and/or making a big fuss. Simply connect with them by petting them quietly and continue on (be careful not to pet them if they are jumping up on you - this will reinforce this behavior).