Dog Separation Anxiety
Training
Use these easy methods to train your dog and cure him of
separation anxiety
Also see dog
separation anxiety
remedy and behavior
problems in dogs
 Now that you've figured out that your dog has
separation anxiety, what can you do about it?
Well, luckily
there are several different options of training for separation
anxiety in dogs. You can use one training method or use a
combination.
These training methods have been tested and work
for curing separation anxiety in dogs.
Just choose the one that works best for you and you can start
working to stop your dog's destructive behavior.
Dog Separation Anxiety Training Method -
Ignore 15
When you leave
your dog alone, he is excited and upset when you come and go from
your home. Ignoring your dog before you leave and right after you
return home, your dog becomes un-phased by your comings and goings
because they aren’t very exciting. This separation anxiety training
works because your dog learns that when you
come and go, it is not a big deal.
Ignoring your
pet may difficult. We interact with our pets so much that it seems
cruel to not touch them or talk to them, even if it’s just for a few
minutes. But when you see that this method really works and actually
helps your pet assimilate to you leaving him alone, you’ll realize
that it’s one of the best things you can do.
Training Step by step
1.
When you’re getting ready to leave your home, be aware of the time
and begin ignoring your pet 15 minutes before you leave. Ignoring
means no petting, talking, playing or even eye-contact with your
dog.
* Remember to
completely ignore your dog for this method. Any contact with your
dog will ruin the method and it won’t work for you.
2.
Continue to do whatever you would normally be doing, just do it
without any attention to your dog.
3.
When it’s time for you to leave, exit your home quietly, continuing
to ignore your pet.
*You can use
this part along with Part One; just remember that once the toys and
treats are dropped, you must leave quietly without fanfare.
4.
When you return home, do not greet your dog.
5.
Ignore him for 15 minutes after you return to the house. Again, this
means no petting, talking, playing or eye-contact.
6.
After the 15 minutes are over, you can relax and give your dog some
attention. By this time, your dog may be sulking, but you can perk
him back up by turning your attention to him and giving him all of
the belly rubs and kisses that he can handle.
You’ll want to
continue to Ignore 15 Method for many days until your dog is
un-phased by your preparations to leave home. Once your dog seems
not to care when you jingle the keys or put on your shoes, he has
gotten used to your comings and goings.
Dog Separation Anxiety Training Method -
Surprise, I'm back
Every time you
leave your dog, he is unsure of if and when you’re coming home. This
method helps your dog to realize that you will leave him often, but
you won’t always be gone for a long time and you will always return
home to him.
This part of the
process is calculated and can take some time, but slowly your dog
adapts to your comings and goings.
Training Step by step
Leave your home
for different amounts of time and then come back as usual.
For example, to
start with, you’ll leave your home for five minutes and then come
back to your dog. You’ll build up from five minutes to ten minutes
and then from twenty minutes to forty minutes and then to an hour.
Each instance, you’ll leave your home for a different amount of
time. Once you work up to leaving for an hour, go back to ten
minutes and then go to two hours.
Below is a
sample for mixing up the duration of trips from your home:
·
5
minutes
·
10
minutes
·
20
minutes
·
40
minutes
·
1
hour
·
10
minutes
·
2
hours
·
20
minutes
·
5
minutes
·
3
hours
Your dog will
quickly realize that you do not always leave for a long time and
that you always return home to him. Do this method over a few days
and then just return to your regular routine of coming and going.
|