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How To Keep A Dog From Getting Separation Anxiety

Clinical Signs Of Dog Anxiety And Fear

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The clinical signs will vary depending on the severity of the fear or anxiety that the dog is suffering from. Here are some of the most common clinical signs:

  • Mild fears: signs may include trembling, tail-tucking, hiding, reduced activity and passive escape behaviors

  • Panic: signs may include panting, pacing, active escape behavior and increased out-of-context, potentially injurious motor activity

  • Sympathetic autonomic nervous system activity, including diarrhea

  • Lesions secondary to licking and biting their own body

  • Tail-chasing and circling

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Making Sure Your Dog Is Ready To Be Left Alone

When you first get your dog, try to socialise them as much as possible. This means exposing them to everyday sights and sounds so they are not afraid. Being left alone is one of the things your new dog will need to learn is normal. You can train your dog by gradually increasing the amount of time they are left alone to get them used to it.

As with all training, youll need to take your time and be patient when teaching your puppy how to be calm and relaxed when left alone.

  • Start by walking a short distance away from your puppy. If they stay calm and settled, walk back to them and reward them, so they know youre happy with this behaviour.
  • Move away from them again, but this time leave the room briefly. Walk back in and if your puppy is still calm and quiet, reward again.
  • Keep repeating this and gradually increase the amount of time you are away from your puppy.
  • When youre successful at doing this inside, try leaving the house for a short time and gradually build up to spending more time away from your puppy.
  • Always reward your puppy when you get home.
  • Keep the atmosphere calm and quiet when you leave and when you come back home. This will teach your puppy that you coming and going is normal and nothing to get excited or stressed about.
  • Teach your puppy to use interactive toys, like treat dispensing toys or puzzles, so theyll have something to keep them busy while youre away. Make sure its puppy-safe and cant be chewed up or swallowed.

My Dog Is Barking Due To Separation Anxiety

The most common sign of separation anxiety in dogs is loud, unashamed barking and howling. Youll probably find that this starts before you even leave the house dogs are pretty smart, and they know when something is up.

If your dog caps their behavior at barking, its upsetting but its arguably the least problematic of symptoms. You can check out our guide to preventing dogs from barking, Make sure that your dogs barking doesnt turn into anything more severe.

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Other Behavior Problems To Rule Out

Sometimes its difficult to determine whether a dog has separation anxiety or not. Some common behavior problems can cause similar symptoms. Before concluding that your dog has separation anxiety, its important to rule out the following behavior problems:

Submissive or Excitement UrinationSome dogs may urinate during greetings, play, physical contact or when being reprimanded or punished. Such dogs tend to display submissive postures during interactions, such as holding the tail low, flattening the ears back against the head, crouching or rolling over and exposing the belly.

Incomplete House TrainingA dog who occasionally urinates in the house might not be completely house trained. His house training might have been inconsistent or it might have involved punishment that made him afraid to eliminate while his owner is watching or nearby.

Urine MarkingSome dogs urinate in the house because theyre scent marking. A dog scent marks by urinating small amounts on vertical surfaces. Most male dogs and some female dogs who scent mark raise a leg to urinate.

Juvenile DestructionMany young dogs engage in destructive chewing or digging while their guardians are home as well as when theyre away. Please see our articles, Destructive Chewing, for more information about these problems.

BoredomDogs need mental stimulation, and some dogs can be disruptive when left alone because theyre bored and looking for something to do. These dogs usually dont appear anxious.

Give Them Something To Do

Five Steps to Preventing Dog Separation Anxiety

If you leave your dog alone without any entertainment, its no surprise that theyd decide to make their own. This could mean destroying their mat, trying to find ways to escape, or simply serenading the neighbors for hours at a time.

Thats why you need to give your dog fun toys to play with. Puzzle toys and chew toys are a good bet, as they last a long time and provide mental and physical stimulation. Another good idea is to fill a KONG toy with peanut butter and freeze it it should take hours for your dog to lick all that peanut butter out.

You should switch the toys out frequently to stave off boredom, and you should have a separate stash of toys that are only for use in the crate. This makes them high-value, and the prospect of playing with them makes staying in the crate a much more attractive proposition.

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Ignore The Door Part 2

If you can get to your door without your puppy showing signs of stress or anxiety, well done! If so then you can work on this part straight away. Make sure to split it up and take breaks so that its not all done on the same day.

PRO TIP: Desensitisation takes time and cant be rushed. You may need to work well below your puppys threshold so theyre not feeling stressed about you being around the door. Patience is key for this one too! Were sure youve got it.

Step 1:

  • Stand by the front door and touch it.
  • Repeat 5 times and then have a break of 60-90 seconds.
  • Did your dog show any signs of anxiety? Do they look bored? This is a good sign by the way, if they find what youre doing dull. If all went well, then were ready to go to the next step.
  • Step 2:

  • Stand by the front door, press the door handle and pretend to open the door.
  • All good? Great. Take a break and come back and repeat later in the day.
  • Step 3:

  • Open front door and step outside , step back inside
  • Repeat as above
  • Step 5

  • Open the front door and step outside and then step back inside.
  • Repeat as above.
  • Step 6:

    Open the front door and step outside. This time, close the door behind you and count 1 second before opening then you can go step back inside.

    PRO TIP: Go over this exercise for a couple of weeks to ensure theyre able to ignore the door before you start increasing the time you step outside for.

    How Long Can I Leave My Dog Alone For

    Four hours is the longest that dogs should routinely be left alone for but every dog will be different. How long they can be left alone for depends on how old they are and what they are used to. For example, four hours would generally be too long for a very active, young puppy but might be fine for an older dog.

    There might be the occasional time when you have to leave your dog alone for longer than usual, which is a change from their normal routine. Have plenty of interactive toys or feeders to keep them entertained. Make sure these are safe for them to be left alone with.

    Its really important not to punish dogs for any destructive behaviour or for having accidents in the house. Theyre already going to be worried and scared. Punishing them will make them feel worse and they might learn that being left alone is even worse than they initially thought.

    If you need to leave your dog alone during the day while you’re at work, think about things that could make this easier for your dog:

    • Could you pop home at lunchtime to spend time with your dog?
    • Could a neighbour or friend check in and visit your dog?
    • Are there any professional dog walkers in your local area?

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    Engage In Appropriate Exercise Routines Before You Leave

    Most dogs can benefit from increased exercise, particularly dogs suffering from a milder form of separation anxiety called separation intolerance.

    Working out your dogs brain and body prior to leaving him alone might help him settle during your absence.

    Dogs dealing with mild separation intolerance can benefit from playing challenging games that stimulate their minds prior to being left alone. Finding treats that are hidden in a puzzle toy or playing a scenting game like “find the toy” can help your dog get ready to settle once you leave for the day.

    Easy trick training also helps to mentally exhaust dogs. Working on something like “spin” or “high five” is more than just cute and fun the mental stimulation will leave your dog ready for a rest.

    Help Them Love Their Confinement Area

    Help your Dog with Separation Anxiety | The Battersea Way

    We understand your wishes to confine your puppy somewhere safe when you leave the house. After all, chewed furniture and puddles are no fun to come back to.

    However, its simply the truth that some dogs hate it! In fact, rather than thinking of their crate as a safe, cozy den, they actually become more anxious when they are inside it than when theyre free in the house. You may also hear this called Confinement Anxiety, Containment Phobia or Barrier Frustration.

    Some will do better with a crate though. Personally, my preferred set-up for a puppy is a crate with a playpen attached or placed inside a baby-gated confinement area. But if you reckon that its safe to have them free in the house, theres no reason why you shouldnt.

    To help your puppy enjoy being in their playpen, crate or any other baby-gated confinement space, make sure to do the following to create positive associations to the area:

    • Play games in the area
    • Give them puppy safe bones and chews
    • Feed them their meals in the area

    We have a full guide on teaching your puppy to love their crate.

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    Resources And Products To Help With Separation Anxiety

    There are tons of great resources and products to arm yourself with when taking on separation anxiety. Interactive toys like Kongs, snuffle mats, or food puzzles can keep your dog engaged for a while. Calming aids like treats with L-Theanine and melatonin or weighted blankets can also help.

    When in doubt, look to resources like the American Kennel Club, the ASPCA, and the Humane Society for trustworthy information. And be aware that while these suggestions may help, they shouldn’t be substituted for actual training or advice.

    Featured Video For YouMove over, Boston Dynamics. You can build your own tiny robo-dog now.

    UPDATE: Mar. 1, 2022, 12:00 p.m. EST This story has been updated to add additional context from Dodman and to reflect Carly Loyer’s complete title. An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the ASPCA’s statistic 23 million dogs and cats, not just dogs, were acquired during the pandemic. This story has also been updated to correctly spell Nicholas Dodman’s name.

    How Can An Animal Behaviorist Help A Dog With Separation Anxiety

    An animal behaviorist can help you identify the root cause of your dog’s separation anxiety, and create a treatment plan to address it. They can also teach you how to effectively manage your dog’s anxiety and provide support during the treatment process.

    If you think your dog may have separation anxiety, consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist for diagnosis and treatment. With the right help, your dog can overcome their anxiety and live a happy, healthy life.

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    Don’t Ignore Separation Anxiety

    You may have heard that ignoring your dog or letting them cry it out will teach your dog to self-soothe or learn healthy boundaries, but for a young puppy this probably won’t work and may have the opposite affect. “When you’re in need of an attachment figure, you’ve been separated from your mom, lost your litter mates, your new owners should not be distancing you. Leaving a puppy to cry is precisely the wrong approach because, at this stage, newly adopted pups need all the care and attention you can muster,” said Dodman.

    “They should be kept as close as possible, spoken to kindly and have all their needs met.” That being said, Dodman continued it’s important to strike a balance between loving them and being matter of fact, especially when it comes to departures. Being overly emotional when you leave will make them feel like it’s a big deal and that they should panic.

    To help find that balance, Basinger suggests thinking about it as “coaching them on how to learn how to self soothe and self pacify.” If your dog is in their crate or in another room and starts to get upset, get closer to them, allow them to see you and talk to them. The key is to address it, not ignore it, because your dog’s separation anxiety won’t get better on its own.

    A Low Tolerance For Frustration

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    Some dogs may cope with frustration by shredding or ripping things up.

    One of the key triggers of this condition to take into consideration is your dogs frustration threshold.

    If a dog has a low tolerance for frustration, they will have difficulty regulating their emotions and be more easily provoked to act out in undesirable ways, such as destroying whatever is nearby or vocalizing excessively, as a way of dealing with how they feel.

    Ultimately, much like a human child who throws a tantrum, what these frustration-related behaviors amount to are poor coping skills on the part of your dog.

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    Causes Of Separation Anxiety

    Up until now, it’s not fully understood why some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and some don’t. But always remember that this is just your dog’s panic response behavior.

    Here are some scenarios that can trigger separation anxiety:

    • Suffering a traumatic separation
    • The sudden switch in schedule
    • Moving to a new house
    • The sudden absence of a family member
    • Being left alone when conditioned to constant human contact

    How To Train Dogs Not To Bark When Left Alone

    One of the approaches to dog training for separation anxiety barking is to teach your dog to associate something wonderful with your absence. It teaches him to associate treats, toys, and other rewards with your departure, and it gives him something to look forward to upon your return.

    You might give your dog a frozen treat stuffed in a Kong or similar puzzle toy, so she has to work to free it. This distraction will keep her busy for a while and help her forget youre gone. When you return home, the Kong or other toy gets put away so she associates it only with your absence.

    You might also start this training tactic while youre home but in another part of the house. This is when the Barx Buddy ultrasonic training device comes in handy.

  • If your dog starts to show anxiety when youre getting ready to leave, your training should start then. For example, if you pick up your keys, your dog might associate that sound with your departure. Teach your dog to disassociate the trigger by doing it throughout the day, even when you arent leaving. Pick up your keys and jingle them when you move about the house. Then the dog learns that the sound of keys could mean anything.
  • Teach your dog the sit-stay command, using treats as rewards. Try doing them when you leave the room and close the door. Gradually build up the sit-stay training.
  • You can use Barx Buddy as soon as she starts her crying, howling or other barking noises. Press the Barx Buddy ON button followed by a verbal command.
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    How Do Anxiety Vests Work For A Dog With Separation Anxiety

    Anxiety vests work by applying gentle, constant pressure to a dog’s torso. This has a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help reduce anxiety and stress. The vests are usually made of lightweight fabric with adjustable straps, and they can be easily put on and taken off.

    There are a few different types of anxiety vests on the market, and it’s important to choose one that’s comfortable for your dog to wear. If you’re not sure which vest is right for your dog, ask your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist for help.

    Once you’ve chosen an anxiety vest, you’ll need to train your dog to wearing it. Start by putting the vest on your dog for short periods of time, gradually increasing the amount of time he or she wears it. It’s important to make sure that your dog is comfortable and not feeling restricted in any way.

    If you’re using an anxiety vest to help with separation anxiety, you’ll also need to work on training your dog to be comfortable alone. This can be done by gradually increasing the amount of time you’re away from your dog, starting with just a few minutes at a time.

    Use Training Enrichment Activities And Calming Tools To Set Your Dog Up For Success

    What To Do About Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

    Other forms of training could help make your dog’s transition to more frequent alone time easier. Sueda recommends reinforcing calm behaviors using a go-to-mat cue or capturing relaxed postures. This is also a great time to work on slow, incremental x-pen or crate training.

    Adding more enrichment is also valuable. “Creating an environment where the dog really loves interactive feeding toys and enjoys playing the ‘find the treats hidden in the house’ game can be really powerful when we go back to work we can give them something to do,” said DeMartini-Price.

    Before you return to work or school, Sueda recommends gradually building up the amount of time you are away, rather than jumping from zero to 10 hours a day. You can gradually increase your time away over a period of one to two weeks. During that time, observe your dog’s reaction to your absence over a camera like the affordable Wyze Cam.

    Sueda said that dog-appeasing pheromone , white noise, and nutraceuticals like Zylkene or Anxitane might also help reduce anxiety. Be sure to introduce them when you’re at home so your dog doesn’t only associate them with you leaving.

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