CANINE CORNER WITH REBECCA HAWKINS
Separation Anxiety
Does your dog cry when you leave the house or even for a few minutes while you go to the bathroom? Since the pandemic more dogs suffer with separation anxiety than ever before. Ideally the training began as soon as you got your puppy but these steps can be implemented at any time.
For a young puppy, you represent everything! Nurturer, caregiver, and a source of safety. But what happens when you need to leave your furry friend alone?
The puppy is likely to react negatively to your absence. They may feel anxious and lonely, and the sudden lack of attention can be distressing. In response, they might exhibit behaviours such as barking, howling, crying, having accidents indoors due to stress, chewing on furniture, or a combination of these.
Initially, some pet owners may interpret this behaviour as affection, thinking, "Oh, he loves me so much!" until they discover their favourite shoes destroyed or their new couch soiled.
To avoid future issues, it’s essential to start training the puppy from day one. Begin by leaving them alone for brief periods, start with just ten seconds while remaining in sight. Gradually extend this time to twenty seconds, then thirty, and so forth. Once your puppy can handle a minute without distress, repeat the process but this time, step out of their sight.
A crucial aspect of this process is to avoid making a big deal of your return. Exaggerated greetings can heighten their excitement and stress. Instead, reward calm behaviour with a treat quietly.
Practicing these short separations is vital for helping your puppy adjust to being alone. A common mistake is for new owners to take extended time off work to give their puppy constant attention, only to return to their usual routine suddenly. This abrupt change can overwhelm the puppy, causing panic and confusion. Hence why many dogs acquired during the pandemic now suffer.
During this training phase, it’s also crucial to moderate your interactions. Constantly indulging their need for affection can foster an unhealthy attachment. While it may be tough to resist those pleading puppy eyes, it’s important not to cater to every request for attention. This helps prevent issues of dominance or over-dependence. Ignoring some of their demands will help them learn that they won't always receive immediate attention, particularly when you need to leave.
Additionally, help your puppy become accustomed to closed doors or the use of baby a gate and not allowing them to follow you from room to room will establish boundaries and promote their independence. Introduce keys, coats and shoes so that an association between these things and you leaving doesn’t develop. If this happens, you may find yourself listening to whining and crying every time you put your hoody on because you’re feeling a bit chilly.
Once you’ve mastered leaving him while you’re still in the house, the next obvious stage is to start going out. Again, start small. Go into the garden for one minute without him. Gradually increase the time you leave him and reward a quiet stay with a biscuit, but no loud praise or attention. It is important to never make a fuss when coming or going.
The high stress of a big goodbye with lots of soothing will only lead to more anxiety, and an excited hello on your return will just leave him in a state of wild anticipation while you’re gone. Overexcitement on both sides will only add importance and relevance to you going out. Instead walk out and come back in like it’s all no big deal.
Remember not to punish any accidents or damage that have happened in your absence. He won’t have done this to spite you, and by the time you get home, the dog will have forgotten what he’s done and will only associate the telling off with you coming home. This will lead to a fear of your return, which will add to the stress and cause more, not less, chewing and toileting accidents.
A few tips that can help include:
- Leave a radio (classical is a good choice) or the television on when you leave to fill the silence and stop the pup listening out for the sound of your car or footsteps. It can also sound like company.
- Leave the house in your slippers or without your coat if the shoes and coat have become a trigger of anxiety. Similarly, try leaving through a different door, which the pup doesn’t associate with you leaving.
- Leave a video camera running so you can see when the behaviour starts to watch for triggers.
- Redirect any chewing by leaving the pup with a safe chew stick or toy.
- If you work full time, hire a pet sitter or walker to take the dog out during the day and to offer some company and stimulation.
- Always walk the pup and provide mental enrichment before you leave to burn off any excess energy and tire him/her out so hopefully, he/she will just want to fall asleep.
Remember that dealing with separation takes time, and it can be stressful in the short term, so have patience and put in the effort. It will all click in the end and the result will be a more self-assured and confident dog.