SEPARATION ANXIETY

 
 

This page is intended to be a guide for those with dogs suffering from separation anxiety, suggesting some of the simpler ways to tackle the problem. If you find no improvement, there may be another cause for your dog's problems, and you should consult your local Canine Advice Life Line operator, vet, dog club or trainer who can give individual advice tailored to your pet's specific needs.

Separation anxiety can lead to fouling in the house, chewing and barking. There are many reasons for this, and each dog will need a slightly different approach. However, you may find some of the following ideas help; First make sure it is not your return the dog is anxious about! When you come home, greet your dog
in a warm and friendly way, whatever devastation greets you. (This can be very hard to do!) Despite the fact that he looks guilty when you yell/swear/show him the mess your dog does not know why you are cross. He does know that coming home seems to make you cross, and this may be why he is anxious about you going out! Just this change alone can sometimes work wonders. Next, make the dog less dependant on your continued physical presence; If your dog follows you everywhere (even to the "smallest room") when you are at home, you cannot expect to leave him for an hour or more when you go out without causing him distress. Slowly begin to prevent the dog following you about in the house - casually shut the door behind you when you go out of the room. Don't make a big fuss about this and after a few seconds, open the door and return. If the dog has been good, praise him quietly. The aim is to be out of the room so briefly that he doesn't have time to bark or chew. Do this for literally a few seconds only at first, increasing the time very slowly.

If the dog sleeps in your bedroom, gradually move his bed out onto the landing, say six inches a week. Leave the bedroom door open at first, and then gradually shut it. Before you go out Teach your dog to respond to a command for emptying his bladder or bowels, so that you can make sure he's "been" before you leave him. (Ask us if you're not sure how to do this!) Play with him, walk him or whatever else you usually do to make him tired and inclined to sleep while you're gone. A light meal afterwards may also make him inclined to nap since it follows the dog's natural routine of hunt, feed, sleep. Then, about 10-15 minutes before you go, slowly start to withdraw your attention from him. You must do this VERY gradually so that he doesn't think he's in trouble, but by the time you go you should be more or less ignoring him. When you are ready to go, put your coat on, briefly say "Good-bye, I'm off" or something like it, and GO. Don't linger. If you give your dog a lot of attention just before you go ("Now be a good dog, don't chew, I'll be back soon, try not to worry, etc etc" - yes, we've all done it!) it is suddenly very lonely and quiet when you're gone. If you were ignoring him anyway there is less of a contrast between when you are there and when you are not! Don't forget to greet him warmly on your return - as much fuss as you like. Move his "favourite" bits of furniture out of reach, or spray them with puppy stop chew. If he seems to like the one you tried, a different brand sometimes does the trick! Distract him while you are out Keep an indestructable toy which your dog only gets when you are out; this gives him something to do with novelty value, and hopefully helps to distract him away from your furniture and floors. Give it to him as you go, and pick it up as soon as you have finished greeting him on your return. Leave the radio or TV on, a loud ticking clock, or a tape recording of a normal, noisy family breakfast (don't call his name or speak directly to him on the tape). If he's only left for a short time, consider crating him (an "indoor kennel"). If he's left for longer, an insulated, weatherproof kennel and secure garden run may be the best answer.