Separation Anxiety – What it is and How to Address It

Written by Christine Durrant, Professional Dog Trainer and Pet Care Consultant

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). 

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