Separation Anxiety
Most people typically love when their dog wants to be right by their side. After all, we wanted a companion. But when your dog won't even let you out of sight to take a shower ~ you may be dealing with something a little more than a desire to be with you.
If your dog panics when you leave the house and attempts to break out of his crate, drools puddles of saliva, injures himself, or attempts to eat your dry wall ~ you are definitely dealing with an anxiety disorder with your dog.
Dogs with separation anxiety or isolation distress suffer from a very real physiological stress response. They can't rest. They pant heavily. They pace. They drool profusely. They panic and need to get to you -- wherever you may have gone. They believe that their eating the front door is what brought you back home. So when it works once in their mind -- they do it again the next day. When it doesn't work the same way, they intensify.
Separation Anxiety is often misdiagnosed by the owner. The term is applied generically to every whine or whimper your dog has when put his or her crate. They may even think a crate escape artist has separation anxiety -- but really he's absolutely fine without you home though maybe a little mischievous -- once he's out of the crate. He just hasn't be properly acclimated to his crate.
- Some dogs will be fine with you out of the room as long as you're in the house -- Separation Anxiety.
- Other dogs can't bear to have you out of sight, even if you're home -- Isolation Distress.
It's a terrible way of being for your dog. And for you. You may be feeling like you can't risk leaving the house for fear of an emergency vet visit or needing a new front door. It is highly emotional for everyone.
There are no quick fixes. Generally speaking: Your dog is not going to get better on his own. He won't outgrow it on his own. And he won't give up.
You need to begin today helping your dog change his behavior. Stop feeling sorry for your dog's past, let go of everything that happened yesterday -- live in the present and change your behavior.
- Lead him gently but with confidence and consistency as a daily way of life.
- Be consistent with clear expectations for your dog's behavior -- and your own.
- Work on serious obedience training -- teach your dog several new skills hat he can earn praise for and build his on confidence in ways he can please you. Challenge his mind and stimulate him mentally each day.
- Exercise him daily with structured walks (heel, sit/stay around distractions, recall work, etc)to the point of being nice and tired (not exhausted) --- he will be more responsive to the work you're doing if he has burned off excess energy. A leisure walk and an open run in your fenced yard is not structured exercise.
- Find a great game you can play with him -- Fetch, Tug (if appropriate), Scent Work, etc.
Crate Train Your Dog Crate Training Guide
- Please be aware that if you start zip tying your dog in his crate that it's a) Dangerous in an emergency that you might not be able to get him out quickly and b) it might create even more stress and panic for the dog.
- Use the crate while you are home -- not just when you leave. We know you love Fido and want to cuddle with him as much as possible -- but at this time, until the SA is resolved, you may need a little tough love. Teaching him that being in his crate can be restful while you're home.
Working with Isolation Distress: You won't be able to leave the house, if you can't leave the room.
- Teach Place! If your dog can learn to settle and relax on a mat with you in the room, he can also learn to settle and relax on a mat as leave the room for timed intervals. It gives your dog something to do that he knows how to do -- and he will earn your praise for doing it. That makes him happy. Attempt to achieve an hour or two while you're home!
- Basic obedience will help in this area as well.
- Add duration work -- long down stays (20-30 minutes) while you make dinner or watch TV/read. Require him to down/stay in his crate with the door open.
- Giving him a chew toy, yummy frozen treat etc may help
Working on Separation Anxiety:
It is highly recommended to not leave the dog alone for the first several days or even weeks as you work though training. Each incident of panic your dog has, makes overcoming the anxiety that much more difficult.
I recommend you take a few days off work or at least over a weekend, and start practicing this behavior modification for several days in a row. You'll make a lot more progress with repetition and consistency. Many people consider doggie day care, pet sitters, or other solutions to prevent the doing being alone at home for extended periods of time until training progresses.
- Change your routine. Create an unexpected response for your dog.
- When your dog is familiar and comfortable with being his crate with the door closed for a while with you home but out of the room -- begin to walk outside.
- Create incremental training goals. Timed & Random intervals in the crate as you go outside, leave the house from 1 minute building to a couple of hours
Barking, Whining, Scratching and Gnawing must be corrected.
- The more they practice these behaviors, the more they embrace these behaviors. Put a stop to these behaviors by drawing on other obedience skills. Work on teaching a quite or calm command.
- When necessary consider other training tools to interrupt the unwanted behaviors.
I know what you're thinking. This could take weeks! Yes, it could. Your dog didn't develop this level of anxiety overnight and you won't solve it overnight. It takes as long as it takes. But with regular practice, keeping him guessing about the pattern, and you remaining consistent in your behavior -- you will see results.
There are some holistic medications you can give you dog to help with anxiety. These may include melatonin, Rescue Remedy, Calming Collars, Storm Stress, Lavender Essential Oils, Chamomile Tea, Valerian Root to name a few. Discuss any supplements and dosages with your veterinarian,especially if your dog is on other medications. Many vets may not agree with holistic solutions, so do your research.
For severe cases your vet may help you by prescribing something to help with behavior modification. Medication alone is not your solution. You still need to put in the training work.
We're here to help with you need us. Call today.
Dana Brigman
The K9 Coach
Dog Training - Matthews, NC
980-339-8064
www.thek9-coach.com
info@thek9-coach.com
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The K9 Coach is a Professional Certified Dog Trainer Serving Charlotte, NC, Matthews, NC and surrounding areas.
My mission is a better life for dogs as members of a forever family.
My goal is create training solutions for the home owner, to rehabilitate dogs from shelters and rescues, and to prevent dogs from dying alone as strays or owner surrenders in shelters due to unnecessary aggression or behavioral issues.
Begin all training with a consultation with a professional trainer to be sure you're solving the right problem. Misdiagnosis can make the matters worse. Be sure that there are no medical issues at play and that your dog is not in pain, as pain can be a contributor to a new display of aggression. If you have any fear or uncertainty -- do not attempt the techniques without professional supervision.
