Because everybody's been spending WAY more time than usual at home these last two months, we've been hearing questions about what to do with separation anxiety in your dog now that people are starting to go out again. Below are some tips/methods that we have found helpful and highly encourage you to try out. Whether your dog is showcasing separation anxiety or not, these will be healthy and helpful exercises to implement anyway. Let's get started!
Make sure your dog's needs are getting met each day.
When your dog has had physical exercise, playtime with you and a good bone to chew to release anxiety, they are more likely to feel fulfilled and satisfied. Always make sure that these core needs are being met, so when you are separated, they aren't in a place where they're LACKING the core things that make their life enjoyable.
If they are never being played with, getting exercised, or having general socialization and fun, the separation won't be very productive, it'll more closely resemble neglect.
Implement clear boundaries.
Dogs are such great companions --that's one of their most important roles.
However, if your dog is only at rest when it's on your lap, at your feet or always following behind you waiting to go where you go, it's time to implement some boundaries. Can he/she be at rest if it can't have you? Here's a little exercise:
We have taught our dogs to respond to the word "blanket" as a boundary. When we say "blanket" they know it means to stop begging or being where they weren't invited, and to instead, return to their bed/or designated area and rest there. They will wander off or want to sit anywhere but the "blanket", but we continue to establish our boundaries by bringing them back to that place and making them stay there till WE have invited them off.
When should you invite them off? When they have submitted to the exercise and are exhibiting calm behaviour. If they haven't listened well and keep fixating on where they're not supposed to be, they don't let them off yet. Always wait for submissive, calm behaviour, and then reward them by allowing them to sit beside you.
It's like Cesar Millan says, "Teach your dogs to be invited into your space, instead of invading it."
Have nap time.
Instituting "nap time" for an hour or two every day is a very good exercise to continue doing, whether you're at home or you're going out to get groceries.
Make sure your pup has been to the bathroom and then put them in their kennel in a room where people aren't going to be going in and out, and set your timer for an hour or (if they are older than 6 months) two for a nap.
This teaches them to be comfortable with separation and alone time, and see it as a normal part of every day that they don't have to fear.
A good exercise is to also do some shorter nap times (15-30 minutes) in a commonly used/busier room, so your pup can also feel comfortable being confined even with the distraction of people around. Just don't carry on conversation with your pet or have kids going up to the crate and making them antsy to get out...that wouldn't be good ;) haha. Put a light blanket/sheet over the kennel and continue on with your activities (a blanket helps them to not be distracted by visuals & get antsy about it--just make sure there is always proper ventilation).
Just because everyone's home doesn't mean these little periods of separation aren't necessary -- they will actually be very helpful.
If your dog is struggling to get into a nap because of all the general household noises (especially if it's younger and not super into kennel time yet), turning on a fan for background muffling noise, or a podcast or CD can sometimes help them get over distracting noises at the beginning. However, you want your pet to get used to silence and be comfortable with it, so this is only for the break-in phase.
Lastly, we highly encourage you give Cesar Millan's blog post about separation anxiety a read -- it is truly eye opening and very helpful. Here's a little excerpt:
"There is true separation anxiety, and there is simulated separation anxiety, in which the dog behaviour appears to be separation anxiety but it is, in fact, a learned behaviour.
Simulated separation anxiety is often manifested when the dog lacks leadership as well as self-control. True separation anxiety, on the other hand, causes the dog to experience real stress during the absence of his owner.
In simulated separation anxiety, the dog knows that he will get attention if he acts badly. For some dogs, even being verbally reprimanded for such behavior is rewarding because he feels he was noticed.
Negative attention can be a reward in many cases, if the owner is unaware that certain needs of his dog are not being met. In these cases, there is little real stress involved, just misbehaviour."
Click HERE to read the full post!
We hope this has been helpful and given you some new training exercises to try out and a new outlook on your relationship with your doggo!
Happy Wednesday from our pack to yours!
The Rocky Legend Doodles Team
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