TRAINING - BEHAVIOR: Separation Anxiety
by Bonnie Jeffers, GreySave volunteer
Many dogs will move into their new home with ease, suffering little or no anxiety when left alone. This is especially true for dogs who are in families where someone is home most of the time. However, the chances of your new dog spending time alone every weekday are probably high. While it is acceptable to expect your dog to adjust to this situation, you may need to help with this adjustment.
Commonly referred to as separation anxiety, some dogs may exhibit various separation related behavioral problems. These can include constant barking, destructiveness, and house soiling.
Separation anxiety is usually curable; however, the resolution will take a commitment on your part.
The first problem with separation anxiety is a misunderstanding on the part of the dog’s owner. The person feels the actions are “on purpose” and “out of spite.” In reality, the dog does not analyze the situation to this extent. The dog’s actions are merely the physical signs of emotional distress caused by the departure of the owner. Studies have shown that these actions usually occur within the first 30 minutes after the person has left or the last 30 minutes before the person returns. If you find your dog suffers from separation anxiety, here are some steps prescribed by behaviorists.
Use a Crate When You Are Gone
Dogs are naturally den animals and sometimes feel safest in smaller, den-like spaces. Before using a crate when you are gone, however, make sure your dog is comfortable in the crate. (See "Crate Training" section") If the dog sees the crate as a negative place, you will simply increase the separation anxiety problem by leaving him there for hours.
You may use a crate while you are gone if your dog is comfortable in it and if you will be gone no longer that a couple of hours. Leave special toys, treats, etc. (See below) Also try wearing an old t-shirt, then leaving it in the crate. This gives your dog the comforting smell of you. If you will be gone more than a couple of hours, a crate is too confining. Try a restricted area of your house that can be made dog-safe. A bathroom or laundry room might work, keeping in mind that all dangerous substances (detergents, poisons, alcohol, etc.) must be secured out of reach. Remove all items (furniture, books, etc.) which could potentially be harmed. Make the area pleasant by including bed, toys, and definitely water. Some dogs, however, respond negatively to small confined areas. In this case, you will need to block off a room such as a kitchen or bedroom. Do the same safety check and dog proofing as mentioned above.
Vary Your Routine
Dogs quickly learn routines. Therefore, based on your habits, your dog will soon be able to quite accurately predict whether you are preparing to leave for work (alone) or on a walk (together). Often anxiety begins at this stage. So vary your routine. On weekends, casually do a few of your pre-work steps (pick up your briefcase, put your jacket on) during the day. Get your pet used to seeing you repeat these steps without leaving.
Spend Time With Your Dog
Make certain you have spent some quality time with your dog before you leave home. Not roughhousing, but something like a quiet walk.
Leave Toys
Give your dog a “new” toy or chew bone to occupy him or her those first few minutes. (See other ideas under “Chewing” below.)
Make Departures and Returns Calm
Make departures and arrivals a calm, quiet experience rather than an emotional event. Give your dog a treat and quietly slip out while he is distracted. Remain calm when you return. People enjoy having a dog greet them excitedly at the door, but this can encourage separation anxiety, particularly if you return at the same time every day. Dogs have an inner clock and soon learn your routine. As the time of your return approaches, they get excited and may express that excitement in unacceptable ways. You can have excited playtime with your dog, but make your coming and going a quiet, calm, non-event.
Practice Leaving
Practice separation for short periods and gradually work up. At first, try blocking the dog from following you to other parts of the house, such as when you go to the bathroom or to another room to put something away. Then graduate to walking out the door for a minute or two, then extend the time and distance, for example down the walk or to the mailbox and back. Do this 15 or 20 times a day as you gradually build up the time.
Many dogs will move into their new home with ease, suffering little or no anxiety when left alone. This is especially true for dogs who are in families where someone is home most of the time. However, the chances of your new dog spending time alone every weekday are probably high. While it is acceptable to expect your dog to adjust to this situation, you may need to help with this adjustment.
Commonly referred to as separation anxiety, some dogs may exhibit various separation related behavioral problems. These can include constant barking, destructiveness, and house soiling.
Separation anxiety is usually curable; however, the resolution will take a commitment on your part.
The first problem with separation anxiety is a misunderstanding on the part of the dog’s owner. The person feels the actions are “on purpose” and “out of spite.” In reality, the dog does not analyze the situation to this extent. The dog’s actions are merely the physical signs of emotional distress caused by the departure of the owner. Studies have shown that these actions usually occur within the first 30 minutes after the person has left or the last 30 minutes before the person returns. If you find your dog suffers from separation anxiety, here are some steps prescribed by behaviorists.
Use a Crate When You Are Gone
Dogs are naturally den animals and sometimes feel safest in smaller, den-like spaces. Before using a crate when you are gone, however, make sure your dog is comfortable in the crate. (See "Crate Training" section") If the dog sees the crate as a negative place, you will simply increase the separation anxiety problem by leaving him there for hours.
You may use a crate while you are gone if your dog is comfortable in it and if you will be gone no longer that a couple of hours. Leave special toys, treats, etc. (See below) Also try wearing an old t-shirt, then leaving it in the crate. This gives your dog the comforting smell of you. If you will be gone more than a couple of hours, a crate is too confining. Try a restricted area of your house that can be made dog-safe. A bathroom or laundry room might work, keeping in mind that all dangerous substances (detergents, poisons, alcohol, etc.) must be secured out of reach. Remove all items (furniture, books, etc.) which could potentially be harmed. Make the area pleasant by including bed, toys, and definitely water. Some dogs, however, respond negatively to small confined areas. In this case, you will need to block off a room such as a kitchen or bedroom. Do the same safety check and dog proofing as mentioned above.
Vary Your Routine
Dogs quickly learn routines. Therefore, based on your habits, your dog will soon be able to quite accurately predict whether you are preparing to leave for work (alone) or on a walk (together). Often anxiety begins at this stage. So vary your routine. On weekends, casually do a few of your pre-work steps (pick up your briefcase, put your jacket on) during the day. Get your pet used to seeing you repeat these steps without leaving.
Spend Time With Your Dog
Make certain you have spent some quality time with your dog before you leave home. Not roughhousing, but something like a quiet walk.
Leave Toys
Give your dog a “new” toy or chew bone to occupy him or her those first few minutes. (See other ideas under “Chewing” below.)
Make Departures and Returns Calm
Make departures and arrivals a calm, quiet experience rather than an emotional event. Give your dog a treat and quietly slip out while he is distracted. Remain calm when you return. People enjoy having a dog greet them excitedly at the door, but this can encourage separation anxiety, particularly if you return at the same time every day. Dogs have an inner clock and soon learn your routine. As the time of your return approaches, they get excited and may express that excitement in unacceptable ways. You can have excited playtime with your dog, but make your coming and going a quiet, calm, non-event.
Practice Leaving
Practice separation for short periods and gradually work up. At first, try blocking the dog from following you to other parts of the house, such as when you go to the bathroom or to another room to put something away. Then graduate to walking out the door for a minute or two, then extend the time and distance, for example down the walk or to the mailbox and back. Do this 15 or 20 times a day as you gradually build up the time.
Training Basics
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Week 1 In Your Home
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Housetraining
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Crate Training
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Leash Training
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Teaching "Sit"
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Destruction & Chewing
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Shy, Timid Dogs
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Children & Greys
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