When it comes to dealing with separation related behaviours, these three behaviours can look very similar and the following tips are guidelines only as there’s no guarantee that it is definitely one or the other (always advisable to work with a professional if in doubt).
Letting your dog sleep on your bed creates separation anxiety!
Nope, it doesn’t.
There’s zero evidence.
BUT…
if your dog is hyper-attached to you, being around you 24/7 isn’t helping them to develop the coping skills for being home alone, eventually.
HOLD YOUR HORSES…
do not go crazy now and banish your anxious dog from your bedroom tonight. Everything has to be done gradually and gently.
If you need help, we are here xx
Should you get a second go to help your dog overcome separation anxiety?
Well…firstly, you can never have enough dogs, obviously….in my opinion.
But on a more serious note; it depends, of course, but usually it actually won’t help and here are a couple of things to consider:
Your dog’s anxiety comes from being separated from you, the human, not just from being home alone. So while another dog might make your dog less lonely, it’s not likely to cure your dog’s anxiety when you’re away.
Also your current dog’s anxiety when you are not around may rub off on your second dog and then you have a double-trouble kind of situation.
So, I’m definitely all for getting a second, third, fourth dog, but do it for the right reasons, prepare yourself accordingly and enjoy your furry family.
Why is my dog ok alone in the car, but not at home??
The most likely explanation might just be that you were much more careful about leaving your puppy alone in the car, than about leaving them at home.
You’ve probably started with quickly getting petrol, while your pup waited for you in the car. With you in view, just a few moments, all felt safe for your little friend. Then a quick dash into a shop here and there, leaving it a little longer every time.
So they’ve gradually got used to being in the car on their own. And there have never been any scary absences.
It’s a predictable and therefore a safe routine for them.
And here’s the great news; if your dog got used to being alone in the car via using the method of gradual exposure, the same method we are using to get them to be ok with being home alone, they can also learn just that 💪❤️🐕
Common mistakes in Separation Anxiety training and how to avoid them
Avoid merely waiting for the clock to tick away, meaning don’t just step out and watch until your dog can’t hold it together any longer and take that as your baseline for your training plan. Instead, ensure your dog has an enjoyable experiences while alone at home through observing your dog closely and ensuring you spot the small stress signals - gradually shifting their emotional response from fear to confidence. It's crucial to provide opportunities for your dog to have fun without stress during solo time.
Separation Anxiety Training Tips: To Crate Or Not To Crate.....that is the question
The internet and world of social media is still full of advice to simply pop your dog in a crate to prevent him or her feeling anxious when home alone.
But fact is: a lot of dogs who struggle with separation related behaviours are prone to being easily overwhelmed by extra stressors. And for a lot of dogs, a crate does cause extra stress.
Firstly, ask yourself, does my dog actually like being in a crate. And REALLY have a good think about it. Plenty of dogs have learned to ‘shut down’ when in the crate AKA they’ve learned that there’s no way out, and this can often look like they are ok when in fact they are certainly not.
So if in doubt, don’t use the crate.
Also, it’s been my experience that most dogs, even if they have been positively conditioned to enjoy being in a crate, prefer to have more of a choice when it comes to where to settle during alone time training (or at any other times). Especially when it comes to longer duration absences.
So instead, you can leave the crate in place, with its door open, so your dog can choose to rest inside the crate or somewhere else within your home.
If you’ve been considering using a crate because you feel worried about your dog’s, or your home’s, safety during alone time training - you may have a puppy or teenager on your hand - then I would recommend creating a safe space via sectioning off an area or a room with a baby gate.
If you need help with your dog’s separation issues, get in touch.
Alex & Wolfgang
Easing back into separation anxiety training post Christmas holidays
The holiday season is a time of joy, festivities, and quality time spent with loved ones, including our beloved furry friends. However, as the decorations come down and the routines return to normal, some dogs may struggle with separation related issues, especially if they've grown accustomed to constant company during the festive season.
You may have been making great progress with your dog's separation anxiety training prior to the holidays and now find yourself back to square one, or you may find that your dog, who’s never struggled with being home alone before, suddenly changed his/ her mind.
Here's a guide on how to help your canine companion ease back into separation anxiety training post-Christmas holidays.
Six Tips for....
Separation Related Behaviours and medication - Wolfgang's example
Each dog is different; some dogs don’t need the help of meds to learn to feel comfortable being home alone, and some dogs do. And for some of those dogs the anti-anxiety effects of a single medication may not be sufficient.
Wolfgang has been on Clomicalm for a while, with great results.
However, her brilliant vet and I have discussed trying Gabapentin additionally as she suspected potential neuropathic pain. And after consulting a vet behaviourist on the matter, we decided to give it a go.
And wow, Wolfgang, who is 11, has (almost) transformed into a puppy again.
And she’s doing even better with her absence training!!!
Loving Miss Daisy
I've just received a wonderful review from a client who I've been working with on separation distress (for their rescue hound mix Daisy, isn't she the cutest).
We've been working together for a while, months! As that is what it (mostly) takes to help a dog over separation related issues (commonly known as 'separation anxiety').
We went from helping her to get over initial departure triggers (I.e. the human putting on shoes or a coat - slowly changing her association from panicked to relaxed) to slowly building up duration of absences (3mins, 5mins, slowly slowly is most often the key to success, teaching the dog a routine that surrounds the human coming back).
Daisy happily copes with 90 minutes now, sometimes even longer. Any longer is still difficult for her though so we are taking it back to baby steps, to help her over that hurdle gently.
Also, she went from hating long car journeys to breezily traveling along now. And from pulling like a truck on the lead to happily bouncing alongside her humans. All down to her humans' effort and care, being patient and understanding and just so so wonderful with her.
I do love my job!
Go Daisy!