5 Things to Do to Resolve Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is one of the most challenging behavioral issues a dog guardian can face. It’s more than just a minor inconvenience, it’s a very serious problem that affects a dog’s mental and physical health, as well as your quality of life. Fortunately, it can be resolved. With the right methods, your dog can learn to relax and even enjoy alone time!
Let’s dive into the five best strategies to employ to resolve your dog’s separation anxiety, so you and your dog can get back to living a happy, more relaxed life together!
Before You Leave! Preparing Your Newly Adopted Dog to be Left Home Alone
Congratulations on bringing home your new dog! It’s an exciting time and there’s lots to do in order to help your dog transition into their new home. Along with picking out the perfect food, treats, toys and the comfiest dog bed, you’ll also want to prepare them for important life skills like spending time alone in their new home. Preparing them properly for alone time will help minimize separation related problem behaviors like separation anxiety or isolation distress.
Are You Rewarding Your Anxious Dog For Barking?
Picture this…you have a dog who barks and whines every time you leave the house. You’ve tried leaving them with toys and kongs, you’ve left calming music on for them and they get PLENTY of exercise. But no matter what, the barking just doesn’t seem to stop. Sound familiar? What should you do? Do you ignore it and let them bark it out? Or should you come back inside to stop the barking? Doesn’t coming back when they’re barking teach them to bark for whatever they want? Like most dog training questions, the answer is not a simple one, but one that deserves to be addressed.
Is It Separation Anxiety, Isolation Distress or FOMO?
As a certified separation anxiety trainer (CSAT), I get calls all the time from people concerned and confused about their dog’s alone time behavior and what’s causing it. They want clarity and answers and if you’re anything like them, you do too. So, let’s shed some light on things so you can better understand and help your dog relax when alone.
Help! I Think My Dog Has Separation Anxiety!
Does your dog bark it’s head off when you leave the house?
Or, maybe you’ve come home to your house utterly destroyed (how can they do THAT much damage in such a short period of time!?)
And what the heck, now they seem to have suddenly forgotten all of the potty training you’ve taught them because you’re finding puddles and piles upon your return. You took them out right before you left, surely they could have held it!