Behaviour

Separation anxiety in dogs, what actually helps

Separation anxiety is one of the most miserable problems to live with, for the dog and the household. It is also one of the most commonly misdiagnosed, because boredom, under exercise and simple lack of practice look very similar from the outside.

The short answer

Build absence in tiny doses. Leave for ten seconds and come back before the dog panics, then twenty, then a minute. Keep departures and returns boring. Give the dog a settled place and something to chew. If your dog cannot cope with you being in another room, start there and do not leave the house at all yet.

Separation anxiety in dogs, what actually helps, Harlow Dog Trainer

Check it is actually anxiety

Set a phone recording for the first thirty minutes after you leave. A bored dog gets busy, sleeps, then gets busy again. An anxious dog panics within minutes, often at the door you left by, and does not settle at all.

The rules that help most

●Never return while the dog is screaming, wait for a breath of quiet, then come in.
●Stop the big emotional goodbyes and the enthusiastic hellos.
●Exercise and toilet before departures, not after.
●Feed part of the daily food from a chew or a stuffed toy that only appears when you leave.
●Add duration in seconds, not in hours. Rushing this is the most common mistake.

Crates, honestly

A crate helps a dog that already loves its crate and harms a dog that does not. If your dog has never been crate trained, do not introduce one on the day you need it.

When to get help

Self injury, broken teeth, escape attempts through doors or windows, or a dog that cannot be left for sixty seconds all need professional support, and sometimes a vet conversation as well. This is not a problem to grind out alone.