Separation Anxiety
“Why you want to LEAVE ME?”
A dog with separation anxiety may be getting stressed or anxious when you are getting ready to leave the house or while you are away. This may look like eliminating in the house, barking or whining obsessively, trying to escape, and the worst case scenario would be them injuring themselves.
To avoid separation anxiety try giving them some alone time in a room or crate, away from the family while you are home. You can start by putting them away for ten to twenty minute increments, and increasing the time as you see fit. Always end the session before the puppy gets upset.
If your dog starts to bark or whine when you put them away, try and wait it out for a few minutes. If they continue to bark or whine, knock on the door or get their attention from the crate and tell them to be quiet in a calm voice. After a few seconds of them being calm, release them from the enclosure. Do not release them as they are barking as this can cause them to learn that in order for them to get out, they need to continue to bark. Never yell at or punish your dog if they start to bark. You want to make being alone a calm experience.
Some tips and tricks to help soothe your dog while practicing alone time:
Take your dog for a fifteen to twenty minute walk a half hour before you have to leave. This allows them to relieve themselves, get rid of energy and tire them out.
Putting on classical music in the room with your dog. This can help muffle outside noise that may startle your dog.
Give them a chew toy or frozen Kong with peanut butter in it. Liking is a calming mechanism that dogs use to relieve stress. It may also soothe them into a sleep.
Put them in a back room where it is quiet, and there are no windows. This allows them to not be anxiously barking at passerby’s or animals while you are gone.
Signs your dog may have separation anxiety:
When you leave your home, does your dog:
Incessantly bark and whine when you are gone.
Break out of crates and through doors.
Destroy items.
Urinate or defecate even though they are house trained.
Injure themselves.
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