How to Help a Dog With Separation Anxiety

We all love our dogs and miss them when we're out of the house. But even more, our dogs miss us. Sometimes they can miss us too much. When a dog results to destructive behavior or incessant barking, these can be signs of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is one of the leading reasons why people give up their dogs. Here's how you can help your dog with separation anxiety.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Make leaving and arriving home routine and unexcitable. Do not make a fuss when leaving and do not greet your dog too enthusiastically when you come back home. This will be hard, but it can help your dog with separation anxiety.
2. Give your dog a hard rubber chew toy or Nylabone to keep him busy while you're gone. A dog that is chewing on what it is allowed to chew on is not destroying furniture or other items and is also not barking incessantly.
3. Leave an article of clothing or a blanket or towel out so your dog can pick up your scent while you're gone. This can comfort the dog and help with separation anxiety.
4. Act like you are going to leave, but don't. Get your car keys and your coat, for instance, but then sit down for while. Practice doing this until your dog shows no sign of separation anxiety.
5. Take step four further by stepping outside the house and closing the door, but return quickly. Do this over and over, each time staying on the other side of the closed door, until your dog remains calm when you "leave."
6. Continue to leave the house for longer and longer periods. Start with ten minutes and keep expanding the time until your dog gets used to your absence and can thus deal with separation anxiety.

Tips & Warnings

• Break from your normal routine when leaving. Dogs can pick up cues, so if you always go out the front door or yell "good-bye" when leaving, try doing something different, like turning on the radio or leaving through the back door.
• Give your dog plenty of exercise when you are home. Often, separation anxiety stems from lack of activity. Make sure to take your dog for long walks or runs around the yard daily.
• Hire a dog sitter to come by once a day while you are gone to let the dog out and interact with him. Having some attention during the day, even though it is not from you, may help separation anxiety.
• Leave the radio or TV on while you are gone. This may help a dog with separation anxiety.
• Do not leave a rawhide toy or real bone for your dog to chew on while you are out of the house. A small piece of rawhide or bone can break off and choke the dog.
• Do not punish your dog for any destructive behavior he may have indulged in while you are not home. He may associate punishment with your arrival home and this will only increase his separation anxiety.